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12 secrets to steal from the South Beach Diet

I tried this popular weight loss plan for 30 days—here's what I learned.

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It seems like everyone is looking to slim down—myself included. As usual, I was in the market for a meal plan that would help me drop some extra pounds without too much extra effort. As timing would have it, my boss presented us with a challenge: choose a diet, stick to it for 30 days and document the experience.     

I can’t turn down a challenge, and theShow More

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The 4-1-1

After committing to the 30-day diet, I realized I didn’t know all that much about the South Beach Diet. But there’s nothing the internet can’t teach you.

The South Beach Diet, created by cardiologist Arthur Agatston, MD, in 2003, has three phases: a two-week body reboot to banish cravings, which isShow More

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Clean out your kitchen

If you’re like me, you have no self-control when it comes to unhealthy snacking. The only surefire way I found to avoid these irresistible treats was keeping them out of my kitchen.

Before loading the refrigerator and pantry with South Beach Diet-approved eats, I purged the junk, shedding just aShow More

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Plan ahead

Anyone who knows me will tell you: I love a good list. At any given moment, my daily and weekly plans are likely documented in at least three places. This diet took my scribbling habits to a whole new level.

Each week, I made a shopping list, a technique research suggests helps promote a healthyShow More

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Prep, prep, prep

So, you’ve written your shopping list, created a weekly menu and loaded your kitchen with groceries. Now what? With a fulltime job and a lengthy commute to and from work, I don’t always have the energy to whip up a healthy, satisfying dinner. And since we’re sharing secrets, I can sometimes be lazyShow More

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Enlist the help of a friend

Misery loves company, so I enlisted the help of my mom for this diet. I prepped meals for the two of us each week and forced her on the South Beach journey with me.

Having someone to commiserate with about cravings or an uptick on the scale was nice at times, but that’s not what makes this strategyShow More

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Enjoy your food by adding flavor

You’re not allowed to eat a family-sized bag of tortilla chips and an entire jar of salsa, but the South Beach Diet does give some wiggle room. On this plan, eating your “Extras” and “Free Foods” is encouraged. So, you can add a spoonful of fresh pico de gallo to your eggs or a splash of half-and-Show More

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Keep sweet snacks on hand

I won’t lie to you, cutting fruit for the first two weeks of my diet was tough. Prior to my plunge into the South Beach Diet, I was eating roughly three cups of fruit a day. That’s more than the government recommendation of one and a half to two cups, but who’s counting?

I typically used fruit toShow More

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Go nuts

I snack constantly, so I was relieved to learn it’s OK—up to three times a day—by South Beach standards. Chips, crackers and candy are tasty treats, but they rarely give me the satisfaction of feeling full, but nuts do.

After researching the recommended serving size for some of my favorite nuts—Show More

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Find substitutions for your favorites

Carbs had been a staple in my diet, primarily quinoa, brown rice and oats, so I was disappointed to learn even healthy whole grains were off limits for a two-week period.

How did I satisfy my cravings for carbs? With alternatives like zucchini noodles and cauliflower rice. I topped lightly sautéedShow More

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DIY your ingredients

Salads became a mainstay during my diet. A bowl of leafy greens and fresh veggies topped with lean protein was simple to throw together, filling and fit the diet’s guidelines.

What I struggled with was finding a tasty, diet-approved dressing. After staring into the fridge and spice cabinet, it hitShow More

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Be smart about your veggie choices

The worst part of dieting is feeling hungry, which used to send me running straight to the snack cabinet. Now, I fill up on veggies.

By volume, many veggies are low in calories, so you can eat a lot. On days I couldn’t seem to quell my hunger, I ate loads of low-calorie picks, like arugula, spinach,Show More

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Drink more water

It’s cliché, but it actually works. Drinking water throughout the day helped keep me full, so I ate less at meal time. Sipping on water also kept me energized.

I've long depended on caffeine for a quick energy boost—and don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy my coffee—but incorporating more water intoShow More

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Be smart when ordering out

Eating out isn’t as difficult as you may think, and you don't have to miss out on gatherings, events and going out to dinner with friends and family because you're dieting.

I learned that many restaurants can accommodate your needs—you just have to ask. Another surefire way to stay on track whileShow More

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Life after South Beach

Although tough at times, the South Beach Diet was a good learning experience—and a quick way to drop a few pounds. Within days of cutting fruit, grains, sugar and refined carbs, the scaled tipped in the right direction. It was probably water weight, but it was encouraging! I ended my 30-day dietShow More

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