The South Beach diet proposes that the use of specific carbohydrates, and healthy fats can be used to attain a weight loss. The diet has three phases similar to those in Atkins, but considered more liberal due to the incorporation of a variety of foods in the last phase of the diet. The diet is based on the glycemic index of foods and uses the index to integrate specific foods back into the diet. Proponents of the diet suggest that eating the wrong carbohydrates leads to insulin resistance and weight gain. Because of such components as phytochemicals and fiber, that have proven health benefits, differences do exist in the type of carbohydrate. The rise in blood sugar after carbohydrate is eaten is not the predominant factor in weight gain. Instead the amount of total calories eaten is the major factor affecting weight loss or gain. Glycemic index looks at the affect of specific foods on blood sugars and how much they are raised after eating each respective food. By including foods that do not raise blood sugar as much, such as those with a low glycemic index, the South Beach diet claims that dieters will have less insulin response and ultimately lose weight.

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