As the obesity rate is rising to an alarmingly high percentage, a majority of overweight individuals are frantically in search of means to get rid of excess, unwanted pounds. Obesity has become more than a cosmetic issue. With health experts constantly obliging individuals to be fit and well, obesity has in fact so much more to do with the development of threatening diseases. In whatever angle it is perceived, losing weight is inarguably beneficial, therefore it is imperative that those unsightly flabs and bulges be done away with. There is no doubt that most of the overweight populace's foremost reason for weight loss is to look good, and at times, they would aim to achieve that state regardless of the means to attain the goal. With the dire perpetual desire for weight loss came the offshoot of fad diets. It remains disputed whether fad diets are healthy although initially they may be effective. One of the most popular and healthful fad diets is the south beach diet. The term does ring a bell, doesn't it? The south beach diet has swept all throughout the American continent and there is no doubt that the south beach diet is increasingly becoming acknowledged worldwide. How does one go about with the south beach diet? Is south beach diet really effective and does it deliver health benefits as its advocates have claimed? The south beach diet was originally developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston and the said diet plan was so designed for patients with heart conditions. As such, south beach diet aims on improving the insulin and cholesterol levels of an individual. Most people have connoted the south beach diet with low carb and low fat diets, but the fact is, south beach diet is neither. The main principle behind south beach diet is that it teaches the individual to rely on the right kinds of carbohydrate-rich foods and the right intake of the right kinds of fats to augment health and weight loss. Being so, the south beach diet is a modified diet regimen centered on good carbs and fats. The south beach diet does not actually entail deprivation as it is considered as healthy eating. There may be elimination of certain foods but such are usually those that are unhealthy for the body as they could aggravate the individual's cholesterol and insulin levels. Consequently, there is less risk for the development of heart diseases and the potentially degenerative diabetes. When going on the south beach diet, one can actually do away with the cravings. There is no need for starving, only choosing the right kinds of foods to eat. There is unlikely to be a tendency to binge either as adhering to the south beach diet makes one eat right and is therefore sated. This diet devised for patients with heart conditions has been proven to indeed lower cholesterol levels which is basically one vital element for weight loss. As a result, the state of fitness and wellness is achieved, and isn't that what everybody strives for? So there goes the resolution to the query ?what is an effective diet plan?? The south beach diet just might well be it. Considered as an upgraded version of the Atkins diet, south beach diet may well be one of the efficient means to address the cosmetic and health issues of obesity.