Editorial Review:

When Dr. Agatston set out to develop a palatable, safe diet to ensure the long-term health of his chronically overweight heart patients, he also caused an overnight sensation among South Beach's body-conscious beachgoers. Why? With Dr. Agatston's plan, you shed pounds fast-right from the waistline and belly. His scientifically proven program offers immediate results, helping dieters shed 10, 20, 30 pounds while radically changing their blood chemistry, reversing diabetes, and lowering high cholesterol. The diet works in three stages to change your metabolism and then maintain it, with a healthy assortment of meat and fish, cheese, healthy oils and nuts, vegetables, and even small amounts of carbohydrates and sweets. And it does all this without the dangerous long-term effects of the Zone, Atkins, or other severely restrictive diets, which is why The South Beach Diet earned the support of the American Heart Association, which has warned against many other popular diets. The diet will show you how to: -Shed pounds-without breaking a sweat (no mandatory exercise) -Banish frustrating cravings in 2 weeks -Forget willpower-diet relies exclusively on the physiology of appetite and metabolism

The verdict is in: those simple carbs we've been living on are killing us. For good health, we've 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 you'll never feel deprived, unless you currently happen to live by bread alone. --Jill Lightner

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

Love this book!:

My Dr. suggested this diet to me after coming to him several times with no luck on other diets. So far, I've lost 15 1/2 pounds and I've only been on the diet 3 weeks.
The diet is not for everyone. ALWAYS check with your family doctor first. If your Doctor ok's it and you follow what the author says and keep in close contact with your doctor. You can lose weight and be healthy.

Five-Star Product and Delivery:

The book I received -- The South Beach Diet -- arrived very quickly, was well priced and in perfect shape just as the seller said it would be. I would recommend the book and Amazon as the method for purchasing it.

An Eye Opener:

The South Beach Diet is a great guide to developing healthy eating habits for life. It is educational delving into the history of diet and nutrition in America. Not only that, it answers thought provoking questions like why am I so hungry when I just ate... The South Beach Diet will help you to stop overeating and gain control of your health if you take it to heart.

You lose the CRAVINGS ! Good time to stop bad habits:

First, I am not a dieter! I never believed in that, but for a short stature, and midlife, my weight was at a standstill after lots of walking daily. I needed to lose at least 15 pounds, possibly 20.
Hubby, on the other hand, was the first to diet, since he has trouble walking fast or great distance. I figured this is the most efficient method for him to lose stomach fat! He effectively needed to lose 20 pounds to be more physically fit for age and health.
The South Beach Diet was our choice, and... more info

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