South Beach Diet attracting vegetarians

Filed under: South Beach Diet — Tags: low-carb-vegetarian — @ June 16, 2004

The South Beach Diet is drawing an unlikely group into the low-carb craze: vegetarians.

bq. For years low-carb and vegetarian diets have been on opposite ends of the eating spectrum–when an Atkins dieter orders a bunless burger, a vegetarian orders a burgerless bun. But Dr. Arthur Agatston, a Miami Beach cardiologist who created the South Beach Diet, said he developed a vegetarian version of his plan long before it became a best-selling book and diet to the stars. Now about 4,000 vegetarians use his diet’s website, which offers meatless meal plans and recipes.

A South Beach vegetarian eats lots of vegetables, beans, legumes and soy products. Fruit and whole grain foods are allowed in moderation in the second and third phases of the diet. If the vegetarian eats eggs and dairy, low-fat products are allowed.