The South Beach Diet is another one of those diets that works with a strict low-carb eating plan. This is especially true during the first phase. However, this diet is not as strict as the Atkins diet.

In my opinion, the South Beach diet is too strict. Carb limits are too high and not practical for the everyday dieter. The first phase of the diet is based on a very low carbohydrate diet, as well as foods that cannot be eaten.

For example, the high-carbohydrate foods on the South Beach Diet menu have very limited portions, especially during the initial phase. This does not allow the body to get a normal amount of carbohydrates each day. Many of the foods this diet allows dieters to eat are high-protein foods and vegetables that are very low in calories.

The South Beach Diet menu allows an unlimited amount of lettuce in the first phase, but then sets limits on the amount of onions, tomatoes and peanuts that can be eaten. The sweet snacks we all crave are limited to a measly 75 calories per day during the first phase.

Although the diet allows dieters to eat junk food, they are very limited. This provides fewer calories than a single large cookie. Although this diet is not as strict as the Atkins diet, everyone relies on an extremely low carbohydrate diet. Both plans are very difficult for the average dieter, even if they are really committed during phase 1.

Both the South Beach Diet and the Atkins Diet seem endless.

Neither diet provides a time when the dieter can return to a normal eating plan that includes a time when the amount of carbohydrates eaten does not need to be monitored as closely. As the dieter uses the diet for a longer period of time, they allow themselves to eat more carbohydrates. As time goes on, the rules loosen up a bit, but even after 6 months have passed, dieters still need to watch their carb intake.

These diets seem to require a lifelong commitment, which many people don’t seek.

These diets call for a permanent lifestyle change simply because it is necessary. Many dieters who try these diets find it difficult to keep up because it leaves no room to stretch the rules. A dieter cannot go out to dinner and order a decent meal.

In general, both of these diets are very impractical for the average person to follow and continue for a long period of time. Both diets require long-term sacrifices. These diets assume that dieters are seeking to have a permanently changing lifestyle. Therefore, I recommend that you do not try any of these diets.