The South Beach Diet. The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss

I can only tell you my personal experience with this diet and you can take it from there. I have tried several diets and they never worked because you couldnt stay on them long plus I stayed hungry all the time. I counted calories and exercised for two years and only lost 20 pounds and then stopped losing for months. With this diet, I have lost 27 pounds in 6 weeks and am still losing. The best part is that I can see myself doing this the rest of my life. The first few days is a little hard but you get excited because you will be amazed at how little you get hungry. I ate three large meals a day plus two snacks. I definitely had plenty to eat. Best part is that although I occasionaly have dessert, I dont crave them. And like the book says - I lost weight in my belly first (I am a forty-plus year old woman). It might not work for everyone - no diet does but this one is healthy and worked for me. Its worth a shot if nothing else has worked for you - trust me.

Im 52 and have had a slight to moderate weight problem my entire life (about 25 lbs.) Have been on many diets and always lost weight but never could make it a lifestyle change. This is so simple - I think some those who have given negative reviews are reading more into it and making it more complicated than it is. Who cares if it is a little like the Atkins diet in the first couple of weeks - at least I dont have to do any carb calculations.. Ive been on it for 5 weeks, have lost 12 pounds and have lost my usual cravings for candy, cookies, and chocolate. I am able to totally ignore the Krispy Kreme donuts in the employee lounge. You dont have to eat the menu plan - those are just suggestions for people who dont have any creativity when it comes to cooking. Just eat the things on the allowed list and dont eat foods on the may not eat list and make sure you eat your snacks and eat enough at mealtime to satisfy you. Yes - once in a while I feel hungry because Ive been too busy to eat what I should - so I just catch up by eating allowed foods. Up until now Ive always been a carboholic and its really an odd feeling to not need that. I find the Atkins plan too complicated. I have found that most people doing the Atkins plan dont really follow the rules but modify it to suit their needs, and Ive never met anyone who has stayed on it permanently - so, to each his own.

First off, I cant really give the diet less than four stars, because it is a month into this diet and I have lost 18 pounds (of a goal of about 40 lb) and my husband has lost over 30 pounds (of a goal of 90 lbs). This diet is not Atkins. it allows a far larger palette of foods. We feel weve done well and not felt deprived, though, because weve gone somewhat beyond what the book says in black and white and made some of our own decisions. In general, the book espouses a diet low in saturated fat, one that avoids refined carbohydrates and uses limited portion sizes for unrefined carbs. It recommends a high fiber content and regular small meals as a way to keep from feeling hungry, and that does work. Because carbs arent cut out entirely, we feel we can stay with this way of eating indefinitely. We havent followed the menu plans, but we feel we have followed the spirit of the diet. And that is my main problem with the book. The editor needed to have made sure that the spirit was more easily accessible. Nobody wants to have to study a diet book to get it. Rules are restricting, but some of us number-heads want easy methods for decision-making.

Among my other problems with the book.
The author uses glycemic index to determine which foods are okay and which arent. Glycemic index is an experimentally-determined value. Not all foods have been tested, and the tests vary as to whether healthy or diabetic subjects were used. This leaves lots of foods in a limbo of who knows I think he could go out on a limb, though, and suggest similar foods based on their contents of simple carb, complex carb, fiber, etc.
The summary lists of allowed or to avoid foods for each phase of the diet is too limited. The lists should give the general guidelines used to decide what makes or doesnt make the list, especially with regards to meats and other proteins after Phase 1. A guide as to what is acceptable whole wheat bread (e.g., no.grams fiber per no.grams carb or something similar) would help, too. (Our doctor suggested 4-5 grams of fiber per 100 calories of bread, for instance.)
Coucous is recommended, even though it is a food with a high glycemic index... and that number is on a list in the book. Some editor should have caught that, but the South Beach website still gives menus with coucous on them. (Although many think it is a whole grain, couscous is a form of semolina pasta, a South Beach no-no.)
Whole grains, and especially delicious fast-cooking whole grains such as millet, quinoa, buckwheat(kasha), and bulgar arent given much attention. Once in Phase 2, reasonable portions of these grains fit very well into that hole on the plate where the potatoes and pasta used to be.
The author allows legumes in the first two weeks, but they rarely show up in the Phase 1 menus. If you miss your starchy side dish, these fit the bill even in Phase 1. A small (less than 1 cup) portion of black beans with tomato, bell pepper, and Latin spices is a satisfying, fiber-rich side... the internet has recipes that are easy and the mixtures freeze and reheat well. (And by the way, we did not have any problem with gas on this diet, even with the added beans and raw vegetable salads.)
The chapter on why the diet might fail you is inadequate. It lists the problems, but gives essentially no help in overcoming them. It may as well be titled, Why Many of You Wont Lose Weight Unless You Buy Dr. Phils Book
The allowed meats for Phase 1 make it a bit of a rich persons diet. the breast only of chicken and turkey, tenderloin of pork and beef, Canadian bacon. Even canned tuna is not cheap unless you like the kind that tastes like cat food. The same goes for ham. The Phase 2 and Phase 3 allowed food and restricted food lists dont mention meats... are the Phase 1 meats what we get forever

My husband has also said he would have died on this diet if I had not been home finding interesting ways to prepare meals within the limitations of the food palette. Still, in a form, this book worked for us. Grocery stores are picking up the trend and offering high-fiber, low-carb versions of stand-bys such as tortillas and even pasta. Unless you need help with issues surrounding your eating that go beyond menu choice, this book is worth a try.

In my un-dying quest to drop the last bit of weight from my stomach I decided to try the South Beach Diet, which, is in essense the same diet as Akins without the cheeses, fatty meats and eat all forms of protien attitude.
I will say that I did lose about 5 lbs in the first week.Although, I dont believe that I have the books food plan to thank.Instead, it was more the portion sizes that lost me the weight. One thing you will relise while on the SBD is that the food portions that you are accustomed to eating are way too big if you want to lose weight.If you dont follow the SBD to a T you will be hungry.
While I did lose about 5 lbs in the first week it wasnt until the 6th day that the pounds finally started to come off.Why you ask did it take so long Because I was totally and completely constipated for the entire first week. The sixth night my bowels finally opened up and I spent the better part of an hour on the throne.The protien diet that this essentially is, was too much for my system to handle correctly.I wasnt your typical fast food grubbing American who poured gallons of sugar over all of my food.I dont drink, smoke, drink soda or eat processed foods.I eat fruits, vegs, whole grains, tons of water, lean meats and exercise on a regular basis.
Before starting the SBD I had lost 15 lbs in the last month and a half, so obviously I was doing something right.The SBD goes against logical thinking of eating your fruits and vegs, healthy yogurts and whole grains.Granted you are allowed to start eating these essential foods after the first two weeks, but only limitidly.
I am a follower and firm believer in the Eating Right for Your Type series of books.It makes more sense to me to follow a food plan that your blood and body agree with rather than a high protien diet plan that was developed for over-weight heart patients.
I lost three pounds in the second week, again, I think it has more to do with portion size than the actual food plan.

I did learn some good ideas on eating, portion sizes and looking at ingredients in a different way from the SBD however,I will be sticking with eating right for your blood type and continue to feed my body the bright foods of life.

Bought the book 7 days ago. This is the first diet my husband and I have ever been on. We were both about 10 pounds over-weight (but are both rather small-boned ectomorphs so that an extra 10 pounds on us looks like an extra 30 pounds on a mesomorph), so we didnt have too much to lose to begin with. For my husband, the fat was all in his belly. For me, it was mostly in my belly and hips. Left to our own devices, we have not been able to lose this extra weight. After 6 days of being faithful to this diet, each of us has lost 2 pounds. Proportionally, this seems about right considering that a friend who wants to lose about 40 pounds lost about 5 pounds the first week. The additional benefit is that this past week I have been feeling so energized that its been difficult for me to get to sleep earlier than 12PM. When I awake at 7AM, I am wide awake - not groggy like I normally am. When I come home from work, instead of feeling wiped out, I feel pretty peppy. Another very striking thing my husband and I have both noticed is that we have lost our cravings for yummies which says a lot considering that we adore ice-cream, mandamp.ms, caramel corn, etc. I can walk by a jar filled with large mandamp.ms and they mean nothing to me. I might as well be walking past a jar of colorful beads. We have tried several of the recipes in the book and they are actually good. The ricotta deserts are quite nice (especially the lemon and the mocha ones). We made the Chicken in Papillote the other night and it was easy and delicious. One thing I want to emphasize is the importance of drinking water on this diet. I have never been much of a water drinker and initially found it difficult to consume the 8 glasses or more that the diet requires. This left my upper chest area feeling very achey. A friend told me it sounded like I had a build up of ketones (who knows if she was right or perhaps the achiness was a coincidence). I started drinking 4 bottles of water a day and the achiness went away after the first day of doing that. All in all, my husband and I are happy with this diet and believe that we wont have a problem sticking to it. For those who say that they dont have the time required to chop veggies and cook, I think you have to make the time - even if you are not on this diet, I think that preparing fresh food every day is a requirement for healthy living.

I bought this book because in addition to wanting to lose a little weight, I really wanted the healther long-term lifestyle Dr. Agatson describes in his book. I just finished the first 2 weeks, and Ive lost 8 pounds and an inch off my waist but more importantly Ive drastically changed my eating habits for the better. In order to simplify the cooking, my husband agreed to participate, and hes very pleased too -- lost between 10 and 15 pounds but more importantly hes really lost his cravings for food between meals and after dinner. SBD is not just a diet, its a lifestyle change.

This diet really works. At first I was a little bit reluctant about trying the South Beach diet. After all, I am a vegetarian.
However, Ive been able to stick to it for 18 days. So far, I have lost 14 pounds couple of inches around my waist .) the results are very noticeable. Now, I am not the only techie doing this but couple of more geeks in my department.

Dr. Atkins, who recently passed away, was without question the pioneer of the low-carb diet. His work showed us conclusively that it wasnt the fat persey but the carbs in our food that were causing so many of us to retain weight, keeping us from losing it without great difficulty.

Since then, the big dilema has been how does one come off carbs if theyve been so dependant upon them for years. Many found Dr. Atkins methods to restrictive and unreasonable. His princepals were good, but his methods needed work. Many have offered their own plans and diets based on Dr. Atkins research. Most notably was Sugar Busters, but even celebrities like Suzzanne Summers offered their own versions of the Atkins diet.

I think Dr. Agatstons The South Beach Diet has gotten it right. Yes, the first two weeks will be tough but overall the plan is easy and it works.

If youre already familiar with the Atkins plan but cant seem to get it working for you, heres the diet book for you. If youve never studied the Atkins plan but would like to, this book will be a great start.

Arthur has done it again. Dr.Agatstons contribution to technology (electron beam tomography heartscan) for the early detection of coronary disease is well known to many clinicians. His work in the early 1980s has helped revolutionize our understanding about the detection and prevention of cardiac disease.

In his usual self-effacing style, he now tackles a problem that has troubled many doctors---how to develop a rational program of weight loss which will ultimately keep the coronary arteries in good shape. Over the years, the Diet he developed has been shown to be easy to follow, logical and exposes the coronary arteries to less cholesterol and fat than other diets like Atkins which seem similar on first glance.

His discussions about glycemic index and other less publicized aspects of weight management are especially clear. At my prevention centers, I will be recommending the South Beach Diet without reservations.

This is a wonderful way of eating. You name the diet - Ive done it (yes, Atkins too). I lost 7 and 1/2 pounds the first week and Im sticking with it. You truly lose your cravings (and I was a pretzel and popcorn person not to mention gummi bears.) Yes, you do need to plan your day but its not a big deal. I truly like the no pressure of measuring at first - eat until youre satisfied - not stuffed so youre not stressing out about ounces. The first couple of days of any new way of eating is difficult but its worth it - youll be happy that you did.

I needed to lose 25 lbs, so for the first 3 months, I did the 1200-1300 calorie diet, which was low fat and included a variety of foods. It didnt matter what you ate, just how many calories it added up to. (Sound familiar) I lost 10 lbs over the course of 3 months, but then my weight loss stalled. I work out (lift weights, and do cardio 4 times a week), and I went an entire month without losing a pound. I was about ready to give up on my goal, when I heard about this. In the first week alone I lost 7lbs, almost as much weight as I did over the three month period. Yes, you cut all of the unhealthy junk out of your life, but I got to add things I had been avoiding in my previous diet such as eggs, cheese, peanutbutter, nuts, and steak. I have felt great, and I have not been hungry. After the first two weeks, you get to reintroduce healthy carbs such as bread, fruit, etc, but you are limited those first two weeks. Its worth it, though, when the pounds melt away quickly. If you are at the end of your rope and other diets have failed, please check this out... As for the negative review that was listed about this diet, all I can say is, that person obviously didnt try the diet, or thier tune would have been different. I cant say enough. I will get to wear a bikini this summer thanks to the south beach diet.

I WAS 149, 54 139 yrs. Since our daughter was born 3 years ago I was just going up and up, I didnt want to see 150.. After 6 weeks on South Beach Diet my husband and I lost 15 pounds. It was my first diet. My mother started 2 weeks earlier and lost as of today 18 pounds (after 8 wks)at 65 yrs. Mother tried many diets and liked this one a lot and the idea of following a daily menu from breakfasts to dinners andamp. snacks. The first 2 weeks are a bit difficult but its great to see within 7 days that we are really melting. Grocery shopping cost. much higher with all those fresh veggies, spices andamp. meats, for 2 its USD50-80 more a week-we followed exactly the menus. But I heard any diet is expensive. The recipes are great but time consuming. Plus getting lunches ready for work I felt I was always in the kitchen. Today we are still following Phase 2, we like it. I sometimes borrow recipes from phase 3 dinner or we switch breakfast. We like those chocolate treats for desert too. We really liked SBD and being now at my pre-pregnancy weight I feel so much better. It worths putting the time andamp. energy in the kitchen. The recipes are so good.

This book is a must read for anyone who wants to lose weight safely, quickly, and easily. The South Beach diet works. I lost 25 pounds in a little over two months. I was never hungry, and the plan is easy to maintain. This is a nutrition life plan, not just a diet. There are many foods to choose from daily. You can choose your portion size, and you can eat three meals, and two snacks every day. There are no foods to be weighed, and no points to count. While the first two weeks restrict some foods, you seldom feel deprived, as the weight starts to drop off, especially around the abdominal area. Following the first two weeks, the menu is more varied, yet you continue to lose weight. There are delicious recipes in the book, or you can choose to prepare the foods you like to cook, modifying some ingredients to keep within the plan. Once you reach your goal, Dr. Agatston outlines a maintenance plan, which really works, even when eating in restaurants, or while traveling. The diet is very healthy, as you will eat lean meats, fish, dairy products, vegetables, fruit, and grain products every day. Before beginning this diet, I asked a physician to review it, to determine if it made sense nutritionally, and from the standpoint of cardiac health. He said that it was the best diet plan that he had seen. If you have failed

Ive been needing to lose 25 pounds for quite some time now. Atkins scared the living daylights out of me as it didnt sound safe and losing the weight I did in high school (running) wasnt an option because of the stress these extra pounds were putting on my knee.

I had heard of South Beach and decided to pick up the book. It is a quick read but the best part is that he isnt just saying, Do this and this and youll lose weight but he does an excellent job of explaining WHY following his advice works.

And did it work You bet... I lost 13 pounds in two weeks, as promised, doing nothing but his diet and ten minutes of walking every day (getting my knees back into shape). I then switched over to the next stage he recommends. At this rate, I should have lost my entire 25 pounds in two more weeks (Ive been doing this for a little bit over a month now).

I was concerned on what it would do for my heart. I took a couple of blood pressure tests and it is as excellent as ever.. Im glad that Im not only loosing the weight, but doing it safely.

This book delivers on its promises and Im living proof that it not only takes the weight off but keeps it off. And if I ever put some back on, I can loose it in a matter of days. As my title states, Ill never be overweight again.

I have more energy, Im easily fitting in pants Ive been struggling with for a long time, and I feel so good about myself. This book is highly recommended with two notes.

1) I also read Dr. Phils Ultimate Weight Loss Solution. I would recommend this as a companion as it does discuss a lot of common sense ways of getting a mental edge over your weight. Except on what it suggests eating, I found these diets very compatible (I eat the South Beach way, though).

2) They have a web site you can use to track things and get recipes for about USD5 a week. DONT DO THIS... There are a ton of web sites that will do it for free over for peanuts. Most disappointing is that I Emailed them a question when I started my diet and I STILL havent received a response. For USD20 a month I would expect more service.

Gee. This looks familiar. The nutrition program that Dr. Agaston gives us is in most respects the same as the Atkins regimen. I find it annoying that Dr. Agaston, in the first few pages of the book, takes a swipe at Atkins and mischaracterizes the entire Atkins nutritional approach. (The author should read Dr. Atkins most recent writings for an accurate picture of the regimen.) Frankly, I found Atkins book to be far more informative, particularly in describing the medical effects of the low carb regimen. Having said all of this, I can highly recommend the nutritional approaches (Atkins or South Beach - theyre almost the same). If you follow either approach faithfully you will feel better, lose weight and be healthier.

This diet doesnt seem any better or worse than its competitors. But the editing of the book is really problematic. A reviewer above mentioned the inconsistency about whether to use real of low-fat mayo. I also noticed that early in the book the doctor says that when its time for Phase 2 to add fruit gradually and at first only have one piece a day after lunch or dinner. But then the menu plans for Phase 2 have you eating three pieces of fruit and dairy and multigrain breads throughout the day. Its really confusing. I think that everyone who says the diet is easy to follow is referring to Phase 1 which is really restrictive. Of course when you cant eat much of anything its easy to follow. Where the book lets you down is guiding you out of the first two weeks. My feeling is that they are really pandering to people who want a new diet and who will only try it for two weeks anyway.
Im not really complaining that I only lost 5 lbs... but the hype made me expect more. I think I could have lost 5 lbs in two weeks on multiple other diets. And did I stop craving chocolate No way. The bread cravings come and go.
I will continue though. The diet seems very healthy and Im hoping it will lower my cholesterol.

I have been on so many diets that worked only to a degree but were so limiting in food choices that I couldnt wait to get off those programs.Also tried Slim Fast, but stopped when I found out that it was just low calorie sugar and give me the results I wanted, although I did lose weight.South Beach is like a modified version of Atkins which I also used with success. Unlike Atkins The South Beach Diet is also ideal for those who cant eat a high fat diet.I lost 8 lbs. my first week and noticed skin belemishes went away. So far, am down 20 lbs. in three weeks and feel great.

Ive always been intimidated or annoyed with diet books -they are sort of like reading manuals, which I also hate. But this book is concise and really easy to follow, and the fact that the diet is so restrictive and unambiguous in the first two weeks makes it easy to stay on track. They key is that you are allowed to each as much as you want as long as you stay away from the sugars and the refined-foods carbs. But, you still end up eating a lot less than you used to because you arent hungry. I cant say that at first I wasnt finding it hard to resist a huge pile of pancakes, but I was losing about a pound a day and that is an amazing motivator. Also I found that my energy level for my cardio workouts was down at first. Im a victim of the high tech world and Ive gained 25 pounds in the last six years. Im going to South Beach in a few months, which was a great motivator to loose weight, and Im achieving amazing results with this book. All my pants were loose on my after the first four days - its like after all this time my body is saying thank you. for eating right and is rewarding me with rapid weight loss. This is a healthy diet that encourages the consumption of food in a satisfying quantity in its most natural state - not overly processed or refined or sugary. Its the type of food we are meant to be eating.

The South Beach Diet may very well become the diet of the future and not just a trendy diet of the present.

This is not another fad diet or a ripoff of Atkins. It does compare to Atkins in that it provides more than just the minimal amounts of protein prevalent in so many other diet regimens and results comparable to Atkins with the added bonus of being lower in fat.

The addition of oils gives the skin a luxurous glow and prevents hunger. Oils are also typically devoid in most diet regimens.

My favorite recipes are the Balsamic Chicken, Savory Chicken Saute, Grilled Steak with Tomato Relish and favorite dessert is Mocha Ricotta Creme.

I have always loved mayonnaise and glad to see that this plan allows Mayo to be used liberally.

The Phase 1 Plan was so easy to stay on. I was never hungry and my energy soared.

On Phase 2 I am enjoying such delights like Mediterranean Chicken Salad and Portobello Pizza, Oatmeal Pancakes for breakfast, Poached Salmon Spinach Salad for Lunch and Stir Fry Chicken and Vegetables, Easy Chicken in Wine Sauce and Salsa Chicken for Supper along with other delights such as Grilled Yellowfin Tuna with a White Bean and Oregano Salad, Broiled Sole in Light Cream Sauce and Italian Style Spaghetti Squash.

And the best part is that this is a lifestyle program. The Phase 3 plan allows menues that are delicious and healthy like Moroccan Grilled Chicken and Savory Shrimp over Wild Rice and desserts like Chocolate Sponge Cake or Chocolate Stuffed Steamed Pears.

This diet plan alloes liberal amounts of eggs, beef, poultry, seafood, pork, veal, lunchmeat, cheese, nuts, tofu, fats (oils from canola and olive oil), spices and seasonings and sweet treats.

Youll also find out which foods to avoid including certain types of beef, poultry, pork, veal, cheese, vegetables, fruit, starched and carbs and certain types of dairy products.

I was delighted to see that someone with credibility finally came forward and exposed that eat only the egg whites and throw the yolk away. Dr. Agatston explains that the whole egg contains nutrients and the yolk contains good cholesterol that can neutrilize the bad cholestorol. The yolk also contains lecithin, a noted fat burner.

All in all, I am very pleased with the South Beach Diet. I look better, feel better and am healthier than I have been in years (I am 55 years young--prior to This program, Iwas 55 years old and felt like I was in my 70s)

If you want a program that delivers, give the South Beach Diet a try. Youllbe glad you did. I know I am.

Basically the South Beach diet is the Atkins program with some modifications. Sadly Agatston does not give Atkins credit. In fact on page 10 he states, the Atkins Diet, for instance which bans virtually all carbohydrates and leaves the dieters to exist mostly on protein. Anyone who is familiar with Atkins knows that though Atkins plan does ban carbs for the first two weeks in the induction phase it later allows carbs back into the diet and the individual works up to a carb allowance where he/she will not gain back weight. And yes with Atkins whole grains, pasta and potatos are allowed according to the individuals metabolism of carbs. So this quote indicated that the author was either unfamiliar with Atkins or just twisting things so his own diet was more appealing.

Agatston also claims his diet is not low carb. But in the first two weeks you eat very limited carbs and after that you add carbs back to your diet according to what you can handle (without gaining weight) so if you consider Atkins low carb, which does the same thing you will consider The South Beach Diet low carb.

You begin the diet with a two week period where you do not eat rice, pasta, bread, fruit, potatoes, etc. After the 2 week period you will according to Agatston lose between 8 and 13 pounds.

When your 2 weeks are up, you go to Phase 2. In Phase 2 you add back carbs that are good carbs like whole grains, fruits etc.
You continue to lose and then when you have reached your goal you switch to Phase 3. This is where you eat your foods in normal portions, but live by simple rules.

There are two main differences between Atkins and Agatston. Agatston does not suggest you go into ketosis as Atkins does. And Agatston suggest you limit saturated fats unlike Atkins.

Other than that, the diet is essentially the same. Agatston suggests eating fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, unproceessed foods and fat etc. just like Atkins.

Agatstons book is not well written either. He skips around in the book and doesnt clearly spell out the plan. The reader is left to infer what the diet is as he reads the book. A much better book choice would be to get Atkins for Life where everything is spelled out and eat less saturated fat.

Agatston also states you dont have to worry about counting calories. Sadly no matter what diet you are on, as I found out the hard way, calories count. The reason low carb diets dont require you to count calories or watch portions is because protein is very satiating and naturally suppresses the appetite. So most folks will not overeat. But there are some who will. And if you cheat just with some carbohydrates and are eating the fats and proteins that low carbing allows you may very well gain weight.
Bottom line calories count.

Agatston gives menu plans in the back of his book. These are cut and dried with no substitutions listed. And when you add up the calories, menu plans are approx. 1200 or so. No wonder you will lose weight.

One good point Agatston does make is if you add fiber right before you eat a meal in the form of say a spoonful of Metamucil you will slow down the processing of your food and feel fuller.

If you want to lose weight, eat protein to help you feel full. Eat healthy fats. Eat unprocessed carbs (fruits and veggies) and eat few starchy carbs (rice, potatos).
And eat moderate portions. Agatston tells you this but its already been said before.

Linda Richman, author of Id Rather Laugh
Dr. Arthur Agatston isnt a diet doctor. hes a life doctor who prevents diseases . . .

Randolph P. Martin, M.D., director of noninvasive cardiology at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta
. . . Dr. Agatston is a noted cardiologist whos made many contributions, but The South Beach Diet may be his best . . .

Book Description

For years, cardiologist Arthur Agatston, M.D., urged his patients to loose weight for the sake of their hearts, but every diet was too hard to follow or its restrictions were too harsh. Some were downright dangerous. Nobody seemed to be able to stick with low-fat regiments for any length of time. And a diet is useless if you cant stick with it.

So Dr. Agatston developed his own. The South Beach Diet isnt complicated and doesnt require that you go hungry. Youll enjoy normal size helpings of meat, poultry, and fish. Youll also eat eggs, cheese, nuts, and vegetables. Snacks are required. Youll learn to avoid the bad carbs, like white flour, white sugar, and baked potatoes. Best of all, as you loose weight, youll loose that stubborn belly fat first.

Dr. Agatstons diet has produced consistently dramatic results (8 to 13 pounds lost in the first 2 weeks.) and has become a media sensation in South Florida. Now you, too, can join the ranks of the fit and fabulous with The South Beach Diet.


Book Info
Consumer text outlines a diet plan allowing consumption of meat, fish,cheese, healthy oils, nuts, vegetables, and the right carbohydrates. Details the fundamentals of the plan and offers meal plans and recipes.

From the Inside Flap

Dr. Agatston is a noted cardiologist whos made many contributions, but The South Beach Diet may be his best. Importantly, this is not another diet book. This is a book about health and well-being. Dr. Agatston does an outstanding job of explaining the importance of the types of food we eat and its impact on preventing illnesses, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes. Not only will you feel better if you follow his diet, but you will look and live better. --Randolph P. Martin, M.D., director of noninvasive cardiology at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta

When renowned cardiologist Arthur Agatston, M.D., set out to develop a safe diet for his chronically overweight heart patients, he didnt expect to become a media star in South Florida. But news of his patients dramatic successes soon spread far beyond the confines of his practice. Strangers started calling to ask for a copy of the diet, and local news began featuring stories of its popularity. Soon, the South Beach Diet was a bona fide craze in Miami.

And no wonder. South Beach dieters lose 8 to 13 pounds in the first 2 weeks without feeling hungry. Dr. Agatstons plan allows you to eat the foods you love--meat and fish, cheese, healthy oils and nuts, vegetables, and the right carbohydrates and sweets. Theres no mandatory exercise, and best of all, youll lose that stubborn belly fat first.


From the Back Cover

The Diet Everyones Talking About

I have tried every diet--including Weight Watchers, The Zone, Atkins, Jenny Craig--and have had a difficult time staying on those programs. The South Beach Diet is easy, simple, and delicious. If you want live to be 103 and be shot by your lovers spouse instead of dying of heart disease or diabetes, I suggest you try it.--Linda Richman, author of Id Rather Laugh

For years, cardiologist Arthur Agatston, M.D., urged his patients to lose weight for the sake of their hearts, but every diet was too hard to follow or its restrictions were too harsh. Some were downright dangerous. Nobody seemed to be able to stick with low-fat regimens for any length of time. And a diet is useless if you cant stick with it.

So Dr. Agatston developed his own. The South Beach Diet isnt complicated, and it doesnt require that you go hungry. Youll enjoy normal-size helpings of meat, poultry, and fish. Youll also eat eggs, cheese, nuts, and vegetables. Snacks are required. Youll learn to avoid the bad carbs, like white flour, white sugar, and baked potatoes. Best of all, youll eat until youre no longer hungry.

Dr. Agatstons diet produced such consistently dramatic results (8 to 13 pounds lost in the first 2 weeks.) that it became a media sensation in South Florida. Now you, too, can join the ranks of the fit and fabulous with The South Beach Diet.


About the Author

Arthur Agatston, M.D., is a cardiologist who has served on committees of the American Society of Echocardiology, the American College of Cardiology, and the Society of Artherosclerosis Imaging, where he is a member of the founding board of directors. He lives in Miami Beach with his wife, Sari, and their two children.

The verdict is in. those simple carbs weve been living on are killing us. For good health, weve got to get our blood sugar under control and stop the incessant cravings. Or so says Dr. Arthur Agatston, author of The South Beach Diet. The first half of the book details the science behind the diet. Most of the explanations revolve around why things you thought were healthy-orange juice, wheat toast, carrots-are actually evil. To avoid blood sugar surges, Agatston created a modified carbohydrate plan, recommending plenty of high-fiber foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while cutting bread, rice, pastas, and fruits. Major differences from other diets include a lack of concern over portion size and a serious indifference to exercise. Feeling full while on a diet is a beautiful thing, but it seems odd that a cardiologist buries his exercise recommendations in a solitary sentence.

The last half of the book covers his three-stage plan. daily diets are mixed with recipes, some of which are from South Beach restaurant chefs. The most restrictive period lasts just two weeks, enough time to stabilize your urges and lose a few pounds. stage two adds fruits and a handful of other carbs, while stage three is meant to last the remainder of your life, with occasional lapses for white bread or birthday cake. While the diet is sound, the book could be better organized. The first half mixes scientific study with anecdote in a seemingly random way, while the mix of meal plans and recipes can be confusing. Still, the recipes are varied and tasty, and youll never feel deprived, unless you currently happen to live by bread alone. --Jill Lightner

From Publishers Weekly
Despite the glitzy title, this is one of the more appealing diet books among the new anti-carb programs. Agatston, a doctor based at Miami Beachs Mt. Sinai Medical Center, found that his patients not only were unable to stay on various popular diets but their cholesterol and blood sugar levels remained dangerously high after trying these plans. The doctor chose to alter his own diet-first avoiding all carbohydrates and fruit and then reintroducing these foods in moderation. Feeling better and losing weight, he then consulted a nutritionist to modify his strategy to devise a sound method for his patients. The South Beach diet begins with a somewhat restrictive two-week program, generally producing a weight loss of from eight to 13 pounds. The initial phase may be difficult for those who crave bread, pasta and fruit. But there are still choices, and snacks (cheese, hummus, vegetables) are a necessary part of the diet. People shouldnt feel hungry on this part of the diet, stresses the author. The second phase offers somewhat more choices, including whole wheat bread and other selected carbohydrates. Agatston advocates combining the bad with the good. For example, take whole wheat bread and dip it into olive oil, rather than using butter. Eat a very small amount of pasta with lots of vegetables, meat and healthy oils. Complete meal plans along with simple recipes comprise roughly half the book. Of course, theres no perfect diet that works for everyone but the enthusiasm of the conversational tone and the inviting manner make the book more appealing than many other diet tomes.