South Beach Diet’s fundamental principle is having a low-[bad] carb and low-[bad] fat diet. In other words, you replace "bad carbs" and "bad fats" with "good carbs" and "good fats."

First, take note of the nutrients that provide energy:

Ø Fats

Ø Carbohydrates

Ø Proteins

They are actually called Macronutrients. We need them in large amount. That’s why when you look at the Nutrition facts at the packaging of any food, you’ll see that their unit is in grams. Unlike the micronutrients which is in milligrams or IU (International Unit).

Good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs

According to cardiologist Arthur Agatston, hunger cycles are triggered not by carbohydrates in general, but by carbohydrate-rich foods that the body digests quickly, creating a spike in blood sugar. Such foods include the heavily refined sugars and grains that make up a large part of the typical Western diet. The South Beach Diet eliminates these carbohydrate sources in favor of relatively unprocessed foods such as vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

Foods high in carbohydrates include breads, pastas, beans, potatoes, bran, rice, and cereals. Most such foods are high in starch. Carbohydrates require less water to digest than proteins or fats and are the most common source of energy in living things. Proteins and fat are necessary building components for body tissue and cells, and are also a source of energy for most organisms.

Carbohydrate is not an essential nutrient in humans: the body can obtain all its energy from protein and fats. However, the brain and neurons generally cannot burn fat and need glucose for energy; the body can make some glucose from a few of the amino acids in protein and also from the glycerol backbone in triglycerides. Carbohydrate contains 15.8 kilojoules (3.75 kilocalories) and proteins 16.8 kilojoules (4 kilocalories) per gram, respectively, while fats contain 37.8 kilojoules (9 kilocalories) per gram. In the case of protein, this is somewhat misleading as only some amino acids are usable for fuel. Likewise, in humans, only some carbohydrates are usable for fuel, as in many monosaccharides and some disaccharides. Other carbohydrate types can be used, but only with the assistance of gut bacteria. Ruminants and termites can even process cellulose, which is indigestible to other organisms..

Good Fats vs. Bad Fats

Given that South Beach Diet was designed by a cardiologist, it should be no surprise that it eliminates trans-fats and discourages saturated fats. Although foods rich in these "bad fats" do not contribute to the hunger cycle, they do contribute to LDL cholesterol and heart disease. The South Beach Diet replaces them with foods rich in unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acid which contribute to HDL cholesterol and provide other health benefits. Specifically, the diet excludes the fatty portions of red meat and poultry, replacing them with lean meats, nuts, and oily fish.


South Beach Diet is a diet plan designed by cardiologist Arthur Agatston

Grapeseed Extract

I love natural food supplements. My family has been taking this certain brand of gapeseed extract (I will not tell you the brand name, unless they will choose me as their celebrity endorser ;-> he he he). So, what does grapeseed extract do?! Here are some of its benefits:

Ø Antioxidant
Ø More potent that vitamin C and vitamin E
Ø Improves vascular strength
Ø Improves blood circulation
Ø Promotes eye health
Ø Promotes healing
Ø It aids in the production of collagen that helps our skin healthy; and many more!!!

There are also studies that show that grapeseed extract is safe and effective in reducing hyperpigmentation.

Many commercial products like health drinks have been incorporating natural ingredients as one of their active ingredients right now. Health and wellness is now the next trillion dollar business for business people. That is why these people, as far as I know, are giving a lot of effort (and budget) for the R&D of their wellness products.

skin

How to take care of our skin?

In cleansing, choose products that contain glycerin. I recommend facial wash instead of soap. Use facial wash that contains milk proteins or glycerin. Whatever your skin type is, these active ingredients are best for your skin. Handcrafted soaps contain glycerin. It is a by-product of the chemical reaction between oils and fats with sodium hydroxide. But handcrafted soaps usually have high pH.

In toning, look for toners that are antibacterial especially if you are prone to pimples.

Finally, moisturize!!! Choose products that don't contain mineral oil. Even if your skin is dry (like mine ;-]), do not use mineral oil. They tend to clog our pores that may interfere with the natural process of our skin. Use glycerin (again) or you can apply honey to your skin. Glycerin and honey are excellent humectants. They help retain moisture in your skin and are able to absorb ambient moisture. Humectants like mineral oil, however, can actually build up under the skin and prevent the skin from absorbing essential vitamins and nutrients.

Oh! Yeah! Always remember to exfoliate once a week for skin renewal and to remove sticky dead skin cells. Do this before moisturizing your skin. Want to know how to make a natural exfoliating mask? I'll tell you later. B-) hehehe...Okay, you can use papaya! Make one by mashing up a papaya and smearing it on your face. Rinse off thoroughly after 10 years!!! hehehe (again)...10-15mins may do just fine. The enzymes in papaya help exfoliate the skin.

P.S. Be careful in applying a moisturizer, and in exfoliating under your eyes and the corners of your mouth. Those areas have a thin skin and can easily be damaged, especially if you are using exfoliating sponges.