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South Beach Diet Menu Ideas

by Genevieve Rice

Overview

The South Beach Diet is designed to help its followers drop pounds by eating combinations of low-carb, low-fat foods. Although the diet specifies several rules to achieve desirable results, those on the South Beach Diet can still stick to the plan while enjoying a variety of satisfying, indulgent foods for every meal, including dessert.
Breakfast

It's essential to kick-start your day with a high-energy breakfast that will keep you chugging along throughout the morning. The egg, a welcome part of the South Beach plan, offers dieters a reliable, versatile protein source. Try a frittata with grilled vegetables or scrambled eggs with turkey bacon, low-fat cheese, and a touch of hot sauce. Finish up your high-voltage breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea.

Lunch

For lunch, salads offer South Beach followers myriad options. Savor your lunch break with a grilled chicken Cobb salad with romaine lettuce, avocado slices, tomatoes, hard-boiled egg, bacon bits and grilled chicken. Complement it with a low-fat ranch dressing. Or try a spinach salad topped with grilled chicken, feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and a Mediterranean vinaigrette dressing. Sandwich lovers can also enjoy a wide variety of low-carb options, including a spicy curry chicken salad wrap. For a side item, try a hearty cup of grilled vegetable soup.
Dinner

Dinner offers the South Beach dieter many healthy, filling options. Dine on grilled chicken and tuna served with vegetables sautéed in olive oil. For a vegetarian option, feast on a portabella mushroom steak or eggplant. To liven up your meat and vegetables, try a variety of marinades and spices. The flavor combinations are almost unlimited and won't make you feel restricted.
Snacks

To curb diet-killing splurges, the South Beach Diet allows for a couple of small snacks per day. During snack time, nosh on a handful of mixed nuts or hummus and celery in place of standard vending machine fare such as candy bars and chips. After the initial phase, fruits such as oranges, grapefruit and apples can make their way into snack time.
Dessert

Yes, South Beach dieters can even enjoy desserts without wrecking their diet. Dieters past phase one can delight in such decadent treats as banana parfaits made with layers of sliced bananas and sugar-free pudding. And with a slight modification of ingredients, followers can enjoy old favorites such as key lime pie. Just substitute Splenda and Cool Whip for sugar and cream.