What are the South Beach “good” carbs and fats?
The South Beach Diet bases its determination of “good” carbohydrates on fiber and nutritional content, as well as on the somewhat controversial glycaemic index developed in the 1980s in Canada by Dr. David Jenkins and his colleagues. People who follow the South Beach Diet are allowed to eat carbohydrates that have a low glycaemic index, i.e., carbohydrates that raise blood sugar levels slowly. This rule places some carbohydrates off-limits, such as refined pasta and rice, although the diet allows for occasional treats and rule-breaking. In addition, the South Beach Diet designates monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats as “good” fats, because they are more easily broken down by the digestive system than saturated fats.
