Rating: 
Summary: Not exactly revolutionary...
Review: Despite the hype, this book will probably not tell you anything you don't already know (whole foods=good, processed foods/sugar=bad). Still, the approved food lists and menus are helpful for supplying some structure and giving a jump-start to dieting. The information about the glycemic index is also presented in terms that are simple to understand. It's true that if one follows the menu plan exactly, the grocery bill can be very expensive. But Dr. Agaston does note that this is a way of eating rather than a structured diet; as such, menus are flexible. I found many recipes in my vegetarian cookbooks that are economical and fit the South Beach plan. The initial weight loss numbers may not ring true for everyone, especially for those who are metabolically resistant. All in all, though, the South Beach plan appears to be quite nutritious and realistic.
Rating: 
Summary: So Far So Good
Review: It's a little early to be writing a review, my wife and I have only been on the South Beach program for three weeks. But so far, so good... I had done the Atkins plan a couple of years ago and lost 40 pounds only to rebound and add 60+ lbs. I found it hard to stay on Atkins strictly and got bored with the food choices. My doctor and dentist both recommended South Beach diet and cited several of their patients who had lost fifty pounds or more. After the first two week "boot camp" period (phase 1) I had lost eleven pounds. After three weeks, I am down fifteen. I really appreciate the variety of fruits and vegetables that are permitted in phase two. Not to mention being able to eat whole grain breads! With a wider menu of "legal" items, I am not as bored with this program and believe that I can stay with long enough to drop my goal of eighty pounds. All in all, I am more satisfied and more encouraged with South Beach than anything else I've tried. Till the end...
Rating:
Summary: A diet book that actually works... who knew??
Review: My cousin and I have been on this plan just over five months. She's lost 48 pounds and has dropped from a 16 to an 8. I've lost 91 pounds and have gone from a 32 to a 24. Obviously I have a long way to go, still, but for the first time in my life I have the tools to make it happen. The book is clear and an easy read. The recipes are helpful, though I never followed the meal plan. I have given away several copies of this book and many of my friends have bought their own. It works. It's the best money I've ever spent.
Rating:
Summary: Do not buy this book if you are allergic to eggs or milk.
Review: Just a warning that if you allergic to eggs or milk it is better not to buy this book. His plan calls for eggs almost every morning. Also, if you are well versed with the glycemic index value of foods, you might find this book repetitive. This weight loss plan is a version of a low-glycemic diet plan. If, however, you do not know about the glycemic index and how the body reacts to refined carbs, you will need to read this book or any other article that explains it.
Rating:
Summary: Well Worth It!!!!
Review: I have two kids who are 18 months apart and it was hard to get rid of the pregnancy weight. This book is great!!!! It not only helped me with the list of proper things to eat but also change the way I thought about how I should eat. If you're going to have ice cream then don't get the sprinkles and hot fudge...it's better than nothing. I lost 15 lbs in the first week (with the book and very little excersing) and I stayed on the first week menu for a long time. I weigh less than before I had children and even the same weight the day I got married. Thank you!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Wow!
Review: I've been on the SBD for 9 days now and I'm so excited to say I've already lost 6.4 lbs and have about 10 more to go. Like most of you, I've tried every diet out there and I lose a few pounds, but then the motivation wears off. So far so good with this one. I'm a very picky eater, so the Phase One portion is tough in certain ways and pretty easy in others. I have a hard time w/ portion control; I can't just have one of something. It's either all or nothing. With this diet, since I'm not allowed ANY sweets or white flour, it's easier for me not to even have it. Then I don't have to worry about it. What's been hard for me is coming up with a variety of foods that I like. There are only so many salads I can eat and so many Egg Beaters I can stomach. I love them, but only on occasion. I really haven't been very hungry, so that's been a blessing. I've tried a few of the recipes and all have made me gag. I've tried the Gazpacho, the Spinach Frittata and the Vegetable Quiche Cups. I've been eating more nuts than they recommend, but I'm still losing, so I figure it can't be hurting me too much. I have to eat something! Even though Dr. Agatston doesn't push exercise very much I'm exercising, which I've always done, so I'm sure that's helping my efforts. I'm looking forward to Phase Two, because the meal plans look much more varied and appetizing. There are still lots of salads, so I'll have to modify that sometimes, but at least I'll be able to eat some fruit and other off-limit foods. I like the fact that Dr. Agatston is a cardiologist and that this diet got started and was successful long before he wanted to make a buck or two. That makes the SBD seem more legit to me and not a gimmick. I just hope I can continue with my progress. I'm worried about Phase Two because I'm afraid once I'm allowed a little of something I'll go nuts and won't be able to control myself. I realize that this has to last me a lifetime if I want to keep the weight off, so hopefully I'll just be grateful not to be eating eggs and meat all the time and appreciate what I put in my mouth.
Rating:
Summary: My daughter lost 40 pounds
Review: I have to write a recommendation for this great book because it produces results. My daughter has been overweight for 15 years and no diet has had any impact. I read the reviews here six months ago and bought two recommended books, Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self to help her get rid of her self-sabotage and teach her how to be her best in every situation, and this book, which showed her how to eat sensibly and lose weight. All I can say is that the combination worked!
Rating:
Summary: Five stars!
Review: I've been fitness conscious my whole life, but I needed to lose weight after my son was born so I decided to pick up the South Beach Diet book. It not only tells you how to lose weight, but how to do it safely. For a diet book, I give it five stars! Debbie Farmer, parenting author of 'Don't Put Lipstick on the Cat'
Rating:
Summary: Just Finished Book - My Two Cents
Review: I just finished this book last night, and wanted to share some of my thoughts. I have yet to start the diet (I'm waiting until after my birthday - who in their right mind starts a diet on their birthday?), but I am hopeful. As an extremely hypoglycemic individual, I've long held that fats and proteins go a long way towards preventing hunger - Dr. Agatston merely validates what I believe to be true about blood suger, carbs and hunger. Being a female over 40, I have found shedding excess pounds extremely difficult (I need to lose about 15+ lbs. - which is a lot when you are only 5' tall). I have read a slew of books about weight loss in women over 40, and they noted that women in perimenopause and menopause stages tend to store carbs as fat, and process proteins differently. Finally, my own Dr. reccomended the diet, as research has shown that perimenopausal and menopausal women have the best long term success on low carb diets (he had just returned from a conference when he told me this, and had just recieved the latest and greatest info on obesity and diets). Yes, half the book is recipies and yes, the principles of the diet could have been stated in a much shorter book (in the early days, apparently the diet was explained on a sheet of paper or two). But don't let that sway you. I was impressed with the variety of the recipies, and feel that I got a good 2 for 1 deal: a diet book AND a decent cookbook. Many recipies are from the top chefs in South Beach. I don't understand the people that found this book confusing - I found it clear and easy to understand. I enjoyed the antedotes; I suspect those who did not were men. As a general rule, I think women enjoy "chit chat" and stories more than men, thus would appreciate that part of the book. Thanks!
Rating:
Summary: What your doctor Won't or Can't Tell you
Review: That is the book we should all be reading. I think you'll be shocked to read what goes on in the world of medicine. Written by a practicing cardiologist in New York.
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