Now that you've made the decision to get healthy by following the South Beach Diet, it's important to start on the right foot with a few simple preparations. Before beginning Phase 1 — which is doctor-designed to help you kick your cravings and jump-start your weight loss — stock your kitchen with these South Beach Diet staples so there's always something healthy on hand. Here are 10 items you should always have in the house:
- Eggs
- Fat-free or part-skim Ricotta cheese
- Tomato juice or vegetable juice cocktail
- Plain, nonfat or low-fat yogurt
- Turkey bacon and lean deli meat
- No-sugar-added Fudgsicles®
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Nuts (unsalted and without any added sugars)
- Salad greens
- Low-fat cheese sticks that contain 6 grams of fat or less per ounce
Note: If you're lactose intolerant or allergic to milk, try replacing dairy products with their soy equivalents.