How To Do Phase Two of the South Beach Diet

Progressing to Phase Two

So, you’ve started the South Beach Diet, and are starting to think ahead to Phase Two. It’s good to think ahead, because Phase Two is a little trickier than Phase One. In the first two weeks on South Beach, you eat from a list of foods, and that’s it. After the first phase, it’s time to start individualizing the diet for your own body and tastes.

The idea of Phase Two is to gradually reintroduce some high nutrient, high fiber, low glycemic carbohydrate into your diet. How much and what types will vary between individuals. It is very important to pay attention to your own body’s reactions to adding the carbs. If a food sets up cravings or weight gain, back off and try something less glycemic. If you feel fuzzy-headed or lower in energy, ditto. Weight loss will slow to 1-2 lbs per week.

The goal of Phase Two of the South Beach Diet is to find the right carb level for you.

South Beach Diet, Phase Two: Week One

The plan of the first week of Phase Two is to add one serving of a carbohydrate food to each day's eating, experimenting to see how you feel. Chances are this first food will not be problematic. What should the food be? Generally a serving of fruit or a serving of a low glycemic starch. Agatston recommends that if you choose fruit to have it at lunch or dinner, as he thinks that fruit at breakfast is more likely to induce cravings. If you choose a whole grain, he recommends a high fiber, low carb cereal such as Fiber One, All Bran with extra fiber, or slow-cooked oatmeal (not instant). If you are having cereal for breakfast, be sure to include some protein as well.

• Fruits Allowed on the South Beach Diet
• Grains and Starches Allowed on the South Beach Diet

South Beach Diet, Phase Two: Week Two

The second week, add a second daily serving of carbohydrate food, as above, so that this week you are eating one serving of fruit and one serving of a high-fiber starchy food each day, in addition to all the other foods.

Besides starches and fruits, these lists are slightly altered for Phase Two:

• Dairy Products Allowed on the South Beach Diet
• Sweet Treats Allowed on the South Beach Diet
• Beans and Other Legumes Allowed on the South Beach Diet
• Beverage List for the South Beach Diet
• All the South Beach Diet Food Lists

South Beach Diet, Phase Two: Week Three

During the third week, again add a serving of carbohydrate food daily if you can tolerate it without weight gain or cravings. It’s probably a good idea to talk a bit about bread at this point.

Breads tested for the glycemic index vary widely according to the recipe of the bread and how finely the grain is ground. Most breads, including those made from whole grains, are high on the glycemic index – they cluster around the low 70’s. Some breads, particularly those in which the grains are very coarsely ground (to the point where you can see pieces of the grains in the bread) are somewhat less glycemic, but this is not the norm. Look for bread with at least 3 grams of fiber per serving – specially made low carb bread usually has more fiber and less starch. For more information, see Is Whole Wheat Bread a Good Choice on a Low Carb Diet?.

If bread is a problem for you, at this point or later, choose a grain which is not ground into flour, such as brown rice, and see if you tolerate it better.

South Beach Diet, Phase Two: Week Four

Add another serving of carbohydrate food. At this point, you may be getting near the limit of carbohydrate you can eat and continue to lose weight (some people will have passed that limit). Watch carefully for the signs of carb cravings.

South Beach Diet, Phase Two: Week Five

If you can handle it, add another serving of carbohydrate. At this point, your menus should look like Phase One Meals, but with the addition of 2 or 3 servings of fruit, 2 or 3 servings of starches or grains, and 2 or 3 servings of dairy. Lunch and dinner should each have at least 2 cups of vegetables, and a serving of protein.

South Beach Diet, Phase Two: Week Six

If you are still able to add carbohydrate, you will be eating 3 servings of fruit and 3 servings of grains or starches. If this is too much carbohydrate, try substituting more non-starchy vegetables. At this point, you have transitioned completely into Phase Two of the South Beach Diet. This is the way you should eat until you reach your goal weight and are ready for Phase Three.