The South Beach Diet is similar to the Atkins Diet in that it has an initial two week phase I period that drastically reduces carbs.  The difference between Atkins and South Beach is that there are good carbs and bad carbs. The glycemic index of a food is what counts.  The glycemic index is how much a food increases blood sugar compared to the amount that same quantity of white bread would increase blood sugar.

A spike in the blood sugar or glucose, signals the pancreas to make more insulin. The insulin’s job is to get the sugar out of the blood stream into the organs for energy or into storage.  The body stores glucose as fat.  Keeping the blood sugar from spiking means less insulin is produced which means the sugars are absorbed slowly resulting in a steady level of decreasing sugar levels rather than a rush.  Low blood sugar leads to cravings for sugary foods and over eating.  And the cycle starts again. Continue reading »