The South Beach Diet was created by cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston in 2003. He outlined it in his bestseller, " The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor Designed, Fool-Proof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss." His original purpose had been to create a healthy eating plan for his patients to prevent Heart disease. However, it's success has made it one of the most popular diet plans.The diet offers this radical transformation in 3 phases, each progressively more flexible than the one before.Phase 1:This shortest phase is 2 weeks long.It allows nutrient rich, high fiber foods like lean proteins, such as fish and other seafood, lean beef and skinless white meat. Eggs, low-fat dairy and healthy, unsaturated fats like those found in nuts and seeds and extra virgin olive and canola oils are also permitted. Vegetables high in fiber and a low glycemic index are allowed, too.Vegetarians may substitute meat with tofu and beans. It forbids all sugars, processed carbohydrates, fruits and high glycemic vegetables. As a result, the insulin level in the body stays in check which eliminates food cravings. This is why it is an ideal plan for pre-diabetics and diabetics.Phase 2:Phase 2 continues for as long as needed, to attain the desired weight.In addition to everything in Phase 1, it allows good carbs like whole wheat pasta, brown rice and whole grain breads, fruits and more vegetables like sweet potatoes and peas.Processed or 'bad' carbohydrates (like white breads and white rice) and saturated or 'bad' fats (like whole milk dairy products, red meat, butter) are not allowed.This phase is the perfect start for people who don't have excessive weight goals or who just want to improve their general health.Phase 3:This phase begins once you reach your ideal weight. It marks the beginning of a healthy lifestyle and making smart food choices.Almost every kind of food is allowed in this phase of the plan. Infect, there is also a margin for occasional indulgences. The habits learnt earlier help maintain the ideal weight and keep everything in moderation.The South Beach Diet is not a fad diet. Unlike extreme diets, it has a long term goal which is to revamp the dieter's unhealthy eating habits. Ultimately, it takes away binge eating and encourages smart eating habits. This makes it an extremely practical, hence popular solution to weight loss.