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Summary: Got Google, anyone?
Review: If so, then I'd like to suggest you look up the word "saccharides" to determine for yourself what sugars are actually harmful for you to eat. When you finish that, I'd like you to move on to the word "homocysteine" to determine what happens to your body when too many proteins are comsumed on a regular basis. Take careful note of how to avoid such problems with eating too much protein.On the calorie-counting front: less IN is less ON. On the exercise front: move more, carry less around. Now, hopefully you are sufficiently armed for figuring out your own way of proper eating with sane ingredients and an even saner timetable for weight loss. Stick to monosaccharides, keep your homocysteines low, use the low glycemic index for carbs if you must have them, eat plenty of dark leafy greens and raw veggies, drink water and unsweetened fruit juices, and GET OFF THAT DAMNED COUCH!!! This should all pretty much be common sense. Why spend the money on this book when Google is so much more helpful? I get more knowledge out of reading the REVIEWS here and looking things up on Google than I do buying any of these schlocky diet books.
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Summary: Good Carbs Eating for Life
Review: I have looked into several low carb plans, was turned away from them because many advocate ketosis and all the fatty foods. Both seemed counter-productive to me...I want to be thinner AND healthier. I was intrigued by the South Beach idea...it seemed more like a Mediterranean diet concept to me. And no counting of carbs or points or calories.
After being slightly intimidated of the thick tome, once I picked up the book, I realized that the back half was devoted to recipe and suggested meal plans. This plan is not really a diet...its a way of life. The first 2 weeks are designed to help break you of carbohydrate cravings--but you can eat all the veggies & beans you want, so you're definitely not going no carb, and you can eat until you are satisfied. And it works. After that, you slowly add back in more carbs like grains, fruits, and dairy, noting which ones cause you to crave again. NO counting, no stress. The SB plan concentrates on whole grains, lean meats, low-fat cheeses, veggies and smart fats. I'm cooking more than I ever have, and I'm really enjoying doing so. I feel like a true gourmet cook! There are some menu ideas and recipes in the back of the book, but they are just ideas. The prevention.com website has a huge support group and more recipes. The book itself isn't as well put together as it could have been, and there are errors in the recipes and menus, which contradict the text. Hopefully they'll get this ironed out in future versions. I've been following the SB plan for 6 weeks, have lost some weight, but feel better than I ever have in my entire life. No headaches, no cravings, and lots of energy.
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Summary: No Carbs, but enjoy the spices and protein !
Review: Arthur Agaston did a very good job capturing the diet trend in South Beach. You can find a huge # of meals in local restaurants that seem to be made from the diet's main theme of cutting your carbs in favor lowering you weight. What many people don't realize but that Agaston has shown is that you can get fat even if you think you are eating healthy. Our bodies metabolize and convert what we eat and its important to realize that a bag of salt free, baked potato chips, can still make you gain weight even though you think it might not. This is an important book for people who really need to lose weight or use their figure in their work. Either way, you will look and feel better, and you will be surprised at how you do not have to give up taste ! Best Regards to all, MC - TheStickRules.Com
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Summary: Atkins Diet? HARDLY!
Review: First of all, this diet isn't for everyone. No diet *is* for everyone. The trick seems to be to find what is comfortable and works for you. The Atkins Diet isn't right for people who have limited tolerance for protein. I tried that diet several times and felt sick after a few days. Why? Because I don't like eating meat that much, and after you run out of your veggies for the day during the first two weeks, what can you eat? Meat. Eggs. Cheese. BLECH! If you can't make it out of ketosis, how will that diet work? I'm still in Phase One of the SBD, but several days into it, and I feel fine. I'm able to eat as much of the list of approved vegetables as I wish and one meal, joy rapture, I had pinto beans as my protein. Just KNOWING I didn't have to have eggs every day (I've had low-fat ricotta cheese for breakfast with tomato juice), that I don't have to stuff myself with whatever meat is available, and that I can have a big salad has made all the difference. I've lost 2-3 lbs in the first week, but what's important is that my cravings for sweets have gone away, by and large, and I don't have post-lunch nap needs. Further, some of the suggestions for food are great. The ricotta cremes are just terribly good; the turkey lettuce wrap (wherein you use leaves of lettuce for your sandwich's 'bread' and roll it all together) is a lifesaver. Dr Agatston is right: I don't miss the bread. This diet educates you on good fat vs bad fat, good carbs vs bad carbs. Is it perfect? No. Is it for everyone? No. But if you have a desire to limit your carb intake and can't face a long period with limited vegetables and very little, if any, fruit, this might well work for you.
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Summary: Great diet to lose belly fat, but lacks organization
Review: Like a modified Atkins...lower in saturated fats but not lowfat.
You can put milk in your coffee, have dessert every night, and eat as much as you want. Of course, you can only eat so many calories of lean meats, veggies, and lowfat cheeses. Even if you eat a lot, the calories don't add up as quickly.
There are enough carbs on this diet that you don't feel like you are dragging. And, you DO lose BELLY FAT first! The first week, you will notice a difference!
But you do need to try their very creative and very simple recipes...the "Mashed Potatoes" are great, and the "Ricotta Creme" desserts are good especially the mocha one.
I think the diet works, and it is safe enough to recommend to others. The only strict limitation is for the first 2 weeks, and you are definitely not starving.
The only negative is that the book could use a little better organization or a way to present more of the info in a summary method. I felt like I missed a lot just skipping to the Foods to Include/Foods to Avoid sections and Recipes and Menu Plans(who can follow a menu plan??). Other than the way the book is laid out, I have no other complaints. Great diet!
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Summary: South Beach diet laughs in the face of proper nutrition
Review: 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 don't 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 don't follow the SBD to a "T" you will be hungry.
While I did lose about 5 lbs in the first week it wasn't 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 wasn't your typical fast food grubbing American who poured gallons of sugar over all of my food.I don't drink, smoke, drink soda or eat processed foods.I eat fruits, veg's, 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.
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Summary: The end of the bland diets
Review: I have been on so many diets that worked only to a degree but were so limiting in food choices that I couldn't 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 can't 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!
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Summary: Nice balance
Review: This diet book has a nice balance. I have tried many diets, but none worked, or they worked but I gained it back because it wasn't a diet any human could stick on. One diet that worked was slim fast. I was to have a shake for breakfast, one for lunch, then a sensible meal. And I actually was losing weight. But on a bad day, I would be so hungry by the time dinner rolled around, I would binge. Ugh. I'm a weak, weak, person. With the South Beach Diet you can actually eat enough, eat well, and lose the weight. sweet. The only thing about this book that it might of used more of could be motivational stuff. I mean, it's a great diet, and a fab book, but in order to get my motivation to start it, I had to turn to other means. One book that got me off my butt and motivated me to get back into life was, The Little Guide To Happiness. It's not a diet book, but I had to mention it as it played a pivitol role in me moving again.
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Summary: What if you can't exercise?
Review: I am continually amused by these people who say that all you have to do to lose weight is exercise. How about the people who can't exercise?The South beach Diet is ideal for anyone who wants to lose not just weight, but fat and is particularly good for those who are unable to exercise due to being morbidly obese.This is also the most delicious diet program I have ever been on the only one whe I wasn't hungry.Oh...I lost 30 bs in a month and 4 waistline inches.
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Summary: works like no other!
Review: I have completed phase 1 of this diet, and in two weeks I lost 11 pounds. I am in the middle of phase 2, and have lost an additional 3 pounds. Total: 14 pounds GONE in 3 weeks. Who could ask for more? The reason this diet works for me is that I don't have to go hungry. There are plenty of foods that I love that are permissable. I've also tried many of the recipes in the book and they are fabulous. I almost feel as though I'm not even on a diet. For me, it has actually become a lifestyle change!
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