Dangers of the South Beach Diet

by J.C. Tolentino

Overview

Dangers of the South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet, a plan which revolves around the replacement of "bad" fats and carbohydrates with "good" fats and carbohydrates, was designed by cardiologist Arthur Agatston in the '80s. It became a popular fad diet around 2000.
Carbohydrate Restriction

The South Beach Diet restricts carbohydrates entirely for the first two weeks, and then strongly discourages many of them afterwards. Low-carbohydrate diets have a proven negative health effect on those with heart problems or high cholesterol.

Water Weight

The weight lost at the beginning of the South Beach Diet is mostly water weight, and not a reflection of true, healthy physical changes in the dieter.
Ketosis

Imbalanced diets, especially high-protein and low-carbohydrate plans, lead to a state of ketosis (where muscle is metabolized rather than fat). Although ketosis speeds up weight loss, it is an abnormal state for the body, causing dehydration, nausea and kidney failure. Ketosis can cause death in diabetics.
Nutritional Imbalance

Any diet which completely restricts a group of foods will lead to a nutritional imbalance; the South Beach Diet, by forbidding many carbohydrates, will likely prevent the dieter from taking in enough fiber.
Too Few Calories

The South Beach Diet plan allows for 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day, which is far less than the recommended daily allowance of 2,000.

References & Resources