South Beach Diet Phase 2 - How Phase Two Works

Once you get through the first two weeks of the South Beach Diet during phase one, it's time to move on to the second phase of the diet. Phase two is a bit different from phase one because it is at this point that you will start making some choices of your own about what to eat, rather than simply following the food list from the first phase. It also lasts longer than phase one. Once you fully progress into phase two over the course of six weeks, you'll stay with it until you read your weight loss goals before moving on to phase three.

Throughout the first six weeks of the second phase of the South Beach diet, you'll slowly be adding more carbohydrates back into your menu. You will do so gradually though, one week at a time, in order to make sure that you are continuing to lose weight and that you aren't having adverse reactions, such as food cravings, dips in your energy, or weight gain.

So what kind of foods will you be adding to your diet in Phase Two?

Mostly you will be experimenting with low-glycemic starches such as oatmeal, whole grain rice and whole grain bread. Each week you will add an additional carbohydrate to your meal plans. During the first week, you'll select either a starchy carb or a fruit. Make sure it is just one or the other and not both! If you do decide to try the fruit, don't eat it for breakfast as that can lead to spikes in your blood sugar as you will be eating on an empty stomach at that point.

On the second week, it is ideal if you have one of each, making that two carbs, both a starch and a fruit. For your starchy carbohydrate, you'll want to make sure you are still selecting a high fiber choice, so no white breads or rice or anything of that nature. Instead, you will stick to whole grains and fiber rich foods.

Weeks 3 through 6

For weeks three through six on phase 2, you'll continue to add an additional complex carbohydrate to your daily meal plan, however you will want to keep a close watch on your reaction to them. Since everyone's body is completely individual, you may need to stop adding additional carbohydrates at week four due to food cravings or a stall in your weight loss, while someone else can continue to lose weight successfully all the way up to week six, continually adding carbs as they go.

It is basically an experimental process and once you figure out the right number of carbs to add back into your diet, while still continuing to lose weight and hold off the cravings, you'll remain with that choice until you meet your goal weight.

If you haven't started South Beach yet and you're still wondering if it is the right weight loss plan for you, be sure to read my South Beach Diet Review at: http://dietinspector.com/

If you missed it, you can also read my article on South Beach Diet Phase 1 and learn some tips on how to survive it!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma_Martin

South Beach Diet Phase 1 - How to Survive the First Two Weeks

Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet, which lasts two weeks, is pretty similar to the Atkin's Diet "induction" period, which, not so coincidentally, also last two weeks. This is the most stringent aspect of the entire diet plan because you will be removing a lot of things that most people really enjoy eating from your diet.

As part of the publicity for South Beach, they tout that you can lose weight without feeling hungry. With the amount of food that you are allowed to have on the plan during phase one, this is actually pretty true. But hunger and cravings aren't really the same thing. You really are not likely to be hungry, i.e. feeling your stomach growl and holding on by your fingernails until your next meal rolls around. What are you likely to experience though is cravings for the carbs that you've suddenly been weaned off of.

During phase 1 of the South Beach Diet, starchy carbohydrates such as breads, rice and pastas are completely banned from your diet, as well as all of the sugary stuff like ice cream, candy, sodas, etc. While two weeks may feel like a long time to do without any of these foods, if you persevere, most dieters find that the cravings start to subside around the 4th day or so as you get used to not eating those foods. They'll be reintroduced gradually during phase 2.

In order to deal with your cravings during those crucial first few days, it's best to take the bull by the horns. Tell yourself you will not cave! And then, when the craving strikes, get up and do something different to what you are doing at that moment. Get outside and take a quick walk around the block. Go make yourself a tall glass of ice water and drink all of it. Call a friend on the phone just to say hello. Just break what "craving moment" by doing something else and let your mind settle onto a different task.

Another important aspect of phase 1 success is to make sure you go to the grocery store and use your South Beach shopping list before you start phase one. Don't wait until you've already started and then head out to do your grocery shopping. Get stocked up before you begin and don't skip the good stuff - enjoy fine cuts of meat, seafood that you might not normally make part of your regular weekly diet (such as lobster!) and try doing a little experimenting with your vegetables. Find a few recipes for artichokes or spaghetti squash instead of eating salads, spinach and broccoli all the time!

Phase one of the South Beach diet may seem tough at first, but it will get easier.

If you haven't started South Beach yet and you're still wondering if it is the right weight loss plan for you, be sure to read the South Beach Diet Review at: http://dietinspector.com/

If you're ready to Kick-start your Diet in 2008, be sure to sign up for the Weekly Weight Loss Tips [http://dietinspector.com/weekly-weight-loss-tips-newsletter/] newsletter and get your free 8-page Diet Kick-Start Guide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma_Martin