The South Beach Diet

Unlike a number of other low-carb diets, the South Beach diet is based on principles of nutrition that are generally accepted. Like the Atkins diet, South Beach dieters are not permitted to eat carbohydrate-rich staples like bread, pasta and potatoes. But unlike Atkins, South Beach is not high in fat. South Beach dieters get most of what experts agree people should eat: good carbs, healthy fats, lots of fruits and vegetables, and limited alcohol. South Beach’s author, Dr. Arthur Agatston, says these are “basic principles… [that] should be taught in the schools.”

But should we be exposing our children to the South Beach diet? And as more and more children and teenagers try South Beach, is South Beach appropriate for kids?

Many dieticians lump South Beach into the same category as Atkins: a “fad” diet that is inappropriate for growing children and teens because it excludes entire food groups. In the case of South Beach, what is excluded in the early stages is fiber and whole grain, both of which provide essential nutrients for young people.

While South Beach works for some, especially those who start exercising once in “dieting mode,” many who have tried South Beach – including teens – report feeling very tired and lethargic after going on the diet.

South Beach attempts to work its magic by regulating blood sugar. According to Dr. Agatston, maintaining a steady level of blood sugar will reduce cravings. However, it is universally recognized that changes in blood sugar are not the only – and perhaps not even the primary – cause of cravings. Often, cravings are the result of feeling bored or lonely.
Because weight loss is not simply an issue of blood sugar, a better approach than Atkins or South Beach is to adopt a healthier set of eating and exercise habits. Smarter decisions and new behaviors are the real key to weight loss.

Of course this is easier said than done. But research has shown that intensive residential programs can change behavior over a course of weeks and months.

In the interim, what should teens eat? Teens should eat three meals a day, and minimize snacking. Meals should include fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Teens should be active and engage in physical activity on a daily basis