Rating: 
Summary: Why are diet programs ineffective?
Review: Agatston is just another version of Atkins! I have been there, I have seen it all! Low carb, low fat, low this, low that... Diets are nothing else but what they are - just diets. I will NOT say they don't work. Sure they work! At least as long as you watch each and every bite you take! At least as long as you maintain your strong willpower. It IS nice to have good looks, but is that all we want from our lives? How about GOOD LOOKS resulting from GOOD HEALTH? Dr. Tombak in his book "Can We Live 150 Years?" cites bad habits that lead people to obesity. Here are some of them:1. The habit of eating fast and not chewing the food well
2. Drinking fluids at meals
3. Frequent snacking or constant chewing
4. Incorrect combining of food products
5. Lying down after meals
6. Sitting lifestyle
7. Eating while watching TV
8. Eating while irritated
9. Eating before bedtime or at night
10. Eating mostly refined and cooked food products. Recognize some of them? Mr.Tombak, like Atkins and Agatston, also mentions eating too mach of carbohydrates. But he does not limit the cause of obesity to ONE SOURCE. Why? Because he applies COMMONSENSE. Because he puts GOOD HEALTH before GOOD LOOKS! Not good looks at all cost! Here is how he proposes to lose weight: 1. Correct the alignment of lumbar vertebrae. (Have you ever heard of this one? He explains why.)
2. Gradually and systematically increase the amount of your physical activities. (Nothing new, isn't it?)
3. Combine food products correctly. (We hear often about this one, too)
4. Perform internal cleansing routines and go through regular fasts. Yes, just periodical short fasts that will cleanse your body, and shake off your cravings. It is nothing new! It is a simple procedure applied by many people around the world throughout ages. Larry Clapp in his book "Prostate Health in 90 Days" advocates the same. None of these unnatural diets throughout your entire life!... I did a few days of fasting myself, and I strongly recommend this over any kind of diet to anyone who cares about his looks, his health, and his longevity. Periodical fasting energizes; purifies your body and mind; makes it easier to change your eating habits and to get back to natural, fiber-rich foods. Everybody has his own opinion, but for me Tombak makes much more sense then Atkins, Agatston and all other inventors of "perfect diets"... Why three stars for "The South Beach Diet"? -- Because it works! But at what cost to your lifelong pleasure, and (possibly) to your health? Be sensible. Read "Can We Live 150 Years?" instead.
Rating: 
Summary: I've changed my diet as a result of this book
Review: The South Beach Diet is a good book that changed the way I look at food. I used to be totally addicted to potatoes, white rice and sugar. After reading what these simple carbohydrates do to your body, I've stopped eating them. And I don't miss them! I started with the very restrictive Stage One, which caused me to lose a pound a day and eliminate all food cravings, but also made me feel bad, so I switched to Phase 2 after one week instead of two. I haven't lost too much additional weight after six weeks on this diet (total loss - about six pounds), but I have no food cravings, I eat almost no sugar, almost no white flour, no potatoes, no cakes, no cookies, no white bread and no white rice. And I feel better than I did before. I wish this book had more to it, however. A good editor would have added more information about Stage 2, what to eat, what not to eat, and would have eliminated some of the contradictions found in this book. I have no idea what Stage 3 really is, for example. Another 50 to 100 pages of information would have helped. However, this book served its purpose for me, as my diet is much better, I'm losing weight (slowly, but that's the best way), and I've learned a lot about our national addiction to simple carbs and why we shouldn't eat them. I recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: I lost 20 lbs in 3 weeks and it was easy!
Review: 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. You'll also find out which foods to avoid including certain types of beef, poultry, pork, veal, cheese, vegetables, fruit, starches 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, I was 55 years old and felt like I was in my 70's) If you want a program that delivers, give the South Beach Diet a try. You'llbe glad you did. I know I am.
Rating:
Summary: Atkins Meets The Zone
Review: While the similarities to Atkins can not be ignored, this program is clearly a a higher-carb version, much more the 40-40-30 ratio of The Zone. So if Atkins was too strict for you, this may be your solution for quick and effective weight loss.
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Summary: LOOKING FOR A DIET THAT WORKS? THIS IS IT.
Review: WHILE SIMILAR TO ATKINS - THIS IS A MUCH HEALTHIER DIET AND IT WORKS. I'VE TRIED WAY TOO MANY DIETS BEFORE THAT WERE TOO HARD TO STICK TO - THIS ONE IS NOT HARD FOR ME TO STICK TO AND MORE IMPORTANT IT IS WORKING!!!
Rating: 
Summary: too bad the menu writer didn't read the book (or visa versa)
Review: while the diet itself may be sound, the book is full of contradictions and inconsistancy.. For example, during phase 2 the text recommends eating your one (1) carbo later in the day. the menu for day one shows oatmeal and strawberrys for breakfast.
this is just one of the numerous examples of careless (and confusing) construction of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Lost 15 pounds in the first two weeks.
Review: The diet is easy to follow,and it really does help you loose weight. I lost 26 pounds the first month, BUT there is alot of cheese and eggs in this diet. True, you will loose weight, but will you have high cholesterol and heart disease when you've finally reached your goal weight??????????????
Rating:
Summary: Successful Weight loss diet!!
Review: This is the best diet book I have ever read!! The format is great. The first half is an informative and interesting. I learned much about food and how our bodies respond. The menus are next and they are varied--never boring!! The recipes,next and they are delicious! I feel like an evangelist!! I am almost at my desired weight. The best thing is that I know I will never hve to be fat again!!Thank God!
Rating:
Summary: Impressive and Easy
Review: I was intrigued when a friend mentioned the background behind the Southbeach Diet approach, so I really listened when she told me about the cardiology science mentioned in the text. I bought the book that evening and found the information about current trends in dieting interesting and easy to understand, especially from my non-medical background and family heart history. I started the diet the next morning, finding the recipes wonderful, easy and appealing to my family. The variety is encouraging and easy to add to a traditional grocery list for an active family with children. Today is the end of week one, not phase 1, and I have lost 8 pounds. I have energy, sleep well, and have lost the mood swings I display when I eat processed sugars and simple carbs. The author's chapters motivated me immensely. I trust the author more than I do Atkins and admire him for writing positively about other diet gurus.
Rating:
Summary: The South Beach Diet
Review: The first diet book I've read that wasn't written in medical terminology -- finally a diet book I really, really understood. Dr. Agatston explains the chemistry behind weight loss so clearly you can't help but understand it. The diet is great! The menu plans and recipes are wonderful. This is a diet you won't get bored with.
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