Description: Not low-fat or low-carb. It teaches you to rely on the right carbs and the right fats. Developed by renowned cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston, the South Beach Diet is a clinically tested program that will not only help you lose weight but also improve your health. Reviews (16):

Alot depends on your metabolism Reviewer: Raul       07-01-2004 I have known people that went on this diet and it worked fine. I also know of a couple people who went on this diet and it changed their system (in a bad way). It all depends on a persons metabolism as to how the body will react to this low carb diet.

New way of eating Reviewer: No Name       07-01-2004 I'm thrilled with the way I'm eating now (for 2+ weeks) and I am not, in ANY way, on a 'fad diet'. I've adopted a new way of eating which concentrates on whole foods. I eat lots of veggies (cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, asparagus, peas, turnips, parsnips), legumes (split peas, lentils, garbanzo beans), beans (navy, pinto, kidney) and lean chicken breasts, turkey breasts and fish. I limit fats to olive oil and canola oil and use low or no fat dairy products. I munch on apples and pears and instead of a chocolate bar I'll have a piece of skim milk mozzarella cheese. I drink green tea by the gallon! I don't, however, eat anything with white flour, or potatoes, corn or sugar. I've given up pop, and, for now, cookies, cakes, pies, and other white-flour desserts. I sleep better, have WAY more energy and the pounds are melting away. Plus, I have never felt more sated in my life! I make my own 7-grain bread, oatmeal pancakes and a cake made with black beans that you would SWEAR was brownies. I feel like I've died and gone to heaven, quite frankly.

I like SouthBeach better than Atkins Reviewer: Carla       07-01-2004 Here is why i like it better than Atkins. The difference between the two diets is... the South Beach Diet is not quantitative about carb counts. There is no target number of carbs per day. The point of South Beach is just to eliminate high glycemic index foods and break the craving cycle. South Beach (once you pass through the initial two weeks) allows a variety of very "carby" foods that an Atkins follower might shun - such as whole grain breads or whole wheat pasta or sweet potatoes - but suggests that you limit your use of them to one or two servings a day.

confused dieter Reviewer: unknown       07-01-2004 I have been on the South Beach diet for a couple of months. From reading the book, I can not figure out how many carbs I am allowed in a day. If there is no limit the book should tell me.

It is working for me Reviewer: Zahn       07-01-2004 Started SBD mid November. I lost 9 lbs in the first two weeks, they suggest you will lose 8-13lbs. I was very strict and other then an accidental carb or 2 in a recipe I didn't know about, I did very well. I also added exercise into my life. Deep water aerobics 2x a week and a walk or visits with my bowflex. The sweet cravings did not disappear in 2-3 days as suggested, however at the end of the induction I did suddenly notice they were gone. I just kind of forgot about them. My loss since Nov. 12 has been 17lbs in 7.5 weeks. (I had lost some weight previously and maintained all summer/fall). I am pleased with my progress so far. In Phase 2 I am adding back one fruit, milk/yogurt and allowable carb a day. If I eat 2 carbs or don't continue exercising...I gain back .5 or 1lb. So it is real clear to me that I have to very careful to continue exercising, drinking my water and watching carefully how much I am eating - even if it is an allowable carb. What I like best about SBD - what is working for me - is that besides counting my servings of allowable carbs in a day, I don't have to find, calculate, and count grams of carbs. I am not a counter - calories, fat, carbs, I just don't like to write stuff down. So there you have it - how I am doing on SB and why it is working for me.

I love the South Beach Diet. Reviewer: unknown       07-01-2004 A year ago, I lost 15 pounds (got down to my target weight) and lowered my cholesterol 77 points eating pretty much the way South Beach recommends - no refined starches (bread and pasta must be whole grain), no (or almost no) sugar, and brown instead of white rice. Also, no full animal fats, "good" fats - like olive and canola oil. Low fat dairy. I have always been against most "diet" plans, but I read an excerpt from the South Beach book, and found that it totally made sense, gave me a good explanation of what went on when I ate refined carbs, and gave me helpful lists of good foods to eat. I learned about high and low GI foods, and I learned to stop eating potatoes (one of the biggest no-no's on South Beach, very high GI (Glycemic index, causes blood sugar levels to rise rapidly.) Anyway, five pounds came off very quickly, I do not get hungry, and I have learned to eat very healthy foods. I did not do the Phase I 2 week induction, partly because I had little weight to lose, partly because I didn't want to restrict myself that much. But the rest of the diet is really not that restrictive at all. What you are restricting is unhealthy food. One "side effect" seems to be that my skin is clearer. My jaw line, which always broke out due to hormonal activity, is really clear. I think it's partly due to eating low carb, and high GI foods (according to some nutritionists) can cause hormone-like breakouts. Also, this time when I lost weight, more came off of my stomache (yeay), whereas before when I lost weight, it would come off on "top." Definitely a plus! South Beach is basically good carb- good fat way of eating. Works for me, works for my neighbor (who just lost 15 pounds on SB after I showed her the book, and is also now at her target weight.) I'm very happy with it.

I lost weight and lost it fast! Reviewer: Jesse       06-29-2004 ...and I am still losing weight. This diet is a miracle. This is the first diet I have ever attemped so i am not sure what to compare it to, but all i know is that i have lost 30 pounds in 2 1/2 months and I feel better. I have alot more energy than i did before starting the diet. I am not very knowledgable about diets but i think my metabolism has changed for the better. I am 24 yrs old male, I was 235 lbs and now i am pushing 200 lbs. What a difference this has been for me. Oh and my meal plan hasn't really changed much. I guess I am just eating smarter.

I love this diet Reviewer: Mike       06-23-2004 There are 3 phases to this diet: Phase 1...you get to eat lots of meats, poultry and fish. yummy, then phase 2 you get to eat some foods such as whole grain breads which you weren't allowed to 2 wks ago. Which is nice...then the 3rd phase which i think is the most crucial one is weight maintenance, if you don't stay with this diet plan then of course it won't work. Duh!

Similar To Atkins Diet Reviewer: Ruben       06-14-2004 This diet is very similar to the well known Atkins diet. I have been on both and they are pretty much the same diet. Overall i give the diet a neutral mark. Although you will lose weight, this isn't a diet i would want to stay on forever. So I am likely to gain it all back eventually.

SouthBeach diet and athletes Reviewer: M       06-14-2004 If you're familiar with the three phases, I would agree that phase one should not be used by athletes and attention should be paid to make sure you're getting enough good carbs in phase two/three. The book makes both of these points. Athletes probably don't need to worry about weight loss, so the nutritional recommendations in phase two/three would be of more value anyway. It also stresses getting to know your body and how it reacts to refined/bad carbs.

Sounds like a great diet... Reviewer: Gayle       06-12-2004 From what I hear, this is a great diet and helps you lose weight rapidly. I would love to be on a diet like this but I cannot eat diary products and many of the foods on this diet are diary foods.

This diet works! Reviewer: J.J.       06-05-2004 Get the book, follow the course. It will work. Don't just take advice from someone else about what the diet is or you won't get the whole correct diet. Follow the steps, stick to it and you will not only lose weight but be healthier. This is a diet anyone can follow. There are many recipes in the book. So you won't just be eating one type of meal. Very much i recommend it.

I lost 10 pounds in about 2 weeks. Reviewer: Dino       06-01-2004 All I wanted to do was lose some weight and lose it quick and this diet did that for me. I recommend it.

Very Healthy Diet Reviewer: Harvey       05-27-2004 This diet helped me improve my bad cholesterol. I needed to do something about it and my doctor put me on this diet. Within a months time I was healthier and i could feel it. Oh and I did lose some weight which was a bonus for me since i am a bit on the chunky side.

SouthBeach is an Atkins ripoff Reviewer: Jim       05-24-2004 I tried this diet and it didn't work. It seems like someone decided to take the Atkins concept and add a small amount of breads to it (since that is what people miss on Atkins) This diet is wrong! Even if it did work, i doubt anyone could stay on it for more than a few months. I am a failure to this lame diet and if you are reading this and thinking about starting it, then you will be a failure as well. If you decide to try this, then GOOD LUCK cuz u will need it.

Finally a diet where i can snack Reviewer: Stephanie       05-22-2004 This is the best part! Inbetween meals I can snack on nuts, veggies even steak If i want. Usually I am full from my full course meal though so thats a plus, unlike those other fasting or salad and water diets. I think I finally found a diet i can stick to for a long time. I have lost 18 pounds in a little over a month and I sleep better at night now.

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