Compared-South Beach diet and Atkins Diet/ South Beach diet and Atkins diet- Similarities and differences

South Beach Diet Articles : Compared-South Beach diet and Atkins Diet/ South Beach diet and Atkins diet- Similarities and differences by Wade Robins

Diet patterns have changed. Whole wheat has been replaced by refined white flour. And meat dishes have made way for burgers. The traditional bread has been replaced by machine- made white bread. And obese and unhealthy individuals have swapped the places of lean and fit individuals.

But these obese and unhealthy individuals have also realized that obesity is a direct invitation to a host of medical problems including diabetes and heart ailments. Doctors, too, have realized that the diet patterns have to undergo changes if they have to improve the life of their patients. Many doctors have created their own diet patterns which are based on their research and understanding.

But the two diet patterns that have really captured the imagination of the ordinary Americans are Atkins diet and South Beach diet. So, what are the similarities and differences between both?

To start with, both the diets were created by renowned cardiologists. While the credit of South Beach diet goes to Dr. Arthur Agatston, Dr. Robert Atkins formulated the Atkins diet. The diets are also identical in structure. They are divided into three phases. The first phase of both the diet aims at rapid weight loss, the second phase lays thrust on gradual weight loss and finding the right quantity of various food items to avoid gaining the lost kilos. The third phase of both South Beach diet and Atkins diet are a life long affair that are targeted towards weight maintenance.

Though at one glance, both South Beach diet and Atkins diet appear to be same, a close observation reveals that both are poles apart. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are the mainstay of any food product. The difference lies in the way each component is treated by the South Beach diet and the Atkins diet

Take for instance carbohydrates. According to South Beach diet, carbohydrates are good and bad. It is the bad carbohydrates that the dieters should aim to avoid. Thus, South Beach diet stresses on the consumption of good carbohydrates.

On the other hand, Atkins diet suggests that one should abandon carbohydrates altogether. Atkins is of the thinking that once the inflow of carbohydrates is stopped, the body will start utilizing the fat for its energy requirement. This will eventually lead to weight loss.

As far as fats are concerned, Atkins diet does not make any distinction between fats. So you can have lard, butter etc. They are not going to affect the body or your weight.

The South Beach diet, however, again makes distinction between various fats. It advises on limiting the intake of saturated fats like butter. However, South Beach diet recommends the intake of mono saturated fats, which are abundantly found in olive and canola oils. This is because South Beach diet believes that saturated fats negatively affect the health, as they tend to be sticky. But mono saturated fats are good, as they tend to improve insulin levels and metabolism. They also help in the prevention of strokes and heart attacks.

Thus, though both South beach diet and Atkins diet were formulated by cardiologists, they are different. However, both emphasize on consuming wholesome food.

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Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=502397