Despite the Success Stories, There are South Beach Diet Risks

As with any diet, there are risks involved.

If you are focusing on weight loss using the South Beach Diet, consider these risks and discuss them with your doctor.

One of the often overlooked South Beach Diet risks is ingesting high levels of mercury and PCBs.

Both of these are found in fish, which is a large part of the South Beach Diet.

While fish is a widely accepted health food, it can contain levels of mercury and PCBs.

To avoid this danger, limit fish to only two or three times a week.

Also, choose fish that tend to be lower in mercury, such as white fishes.

Another risk is the use of aspartame.

Aspartame, better known as NutraSweet, has been a topic of debate for many years.

While some studies claim it is safe, many others do not.

The South Beach Diet recommends the use of aspartame in place of natural sugars.

If you are concerned about the safety of artificial sweeteners, consider:

• Eliminating foods with these sweeteners and
• Choosing more natural sweet treats like fruit.

Exercise, or lack of, is another of the South Beach Diet risks.

While the book does recommend exercise, many feel it is too lax on its recommendations.

Exercise needs to be a central part of any weight loss plan.

Cardiovascular exercise should be done nearly every day and the incorporation of strength training will boost your results.

To increase your success with the South Beach Diet and decrease your health risks, try to exercise more than the recommended amount in the book.

While this diet focuses on protein, the high-protein approach can also be considered one of the South Beach Diet risks.

While more protein and less carbs have been linked to weight loss, too much protein can cause kidney problems.

People with existing kidney problems should consult with their doctor before trying the South Beach Diet.

Another risk associated with high protein diets is specific to women.

High protein diets can increase the risk of estrogen-related health problems, like fibroid tumors as well as an increased risk of osteoporosis in women with low bone densities.

Phases one and two, especially, of this diet have presented some South Beach Diet risks related to fiber intake.

In the first two phases of the diet, carbs are very limited.

Breads, pastas, and fruits are all basically off limits for the first few weeks.

For many people, this will leave them lacking enough fiber in their diet.

Minor complications of this could include constipation, or on the more serious side, a lack of fiber can lead to colon cancer.

Consider taking a fiber supplement or modifying the diet slightly to get more daily fiber intake while on the South Beach Diet.

Another step to consider is to follow the advice below to start losing weight right now.

• Incorporate a proven, complete nutritional program into your daily life.
• Enhance your nutritional program with a complete mutivitamin supplement because no nutritional program is perfect.
• Use a behavior modification and motivational program that will help you stay on track with your nutritional plan.
• Exercise at home with your own:
  Treadmill

  Stairstepper

  Exercise bike

  Elliptical trainer

  Hand weights or

  An aerobic video.

• See what kinds of weight loss aids your health insurance covers such as:
  Hypnotism

  Gym membership discounts

  Nutritional counseling.

Talk with your doctor about the South Beach Diet risks versus its many benefits to decide if this diet is right for you or not.

Just remember to follow the above steps and you will be on your way to losing weight and looking great.