Rating: 
Summary: A great guide to a great dietary strategy
Review: I've read a lot of books about dieting and nutrition, and would rank this as one of the best. The ideas are sound and consistent with current medical advice. The "diet" which is more of a lifestyle guide, is easy to follow and implement. The recipes are easy and taste great. And, it works.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Carb Plan
Review: This is not just another low-carb diet, but a good carb way of eating.There's no counting calories or carbs with this WOE. The 1st 2 weeks are a little strict, but that is so your body can get rid of it's dependence on sugar and white flour. Your body does go through some adjustments, but that is because it wants to hang on to the bad carb dependence. Dr. A is not just another Atkins in disguise, he has us eating healthy fats and good carbs even in Phase I. There are 3 phases with this WOE and it makes this "diet" easy to adhere to. In my opinion, it's not just a diet, but a way of eating that will help you to make healthy choices for the rest of your life. It has helped me to overcome my cravings for sugar and chocolate (this coming from a chocoholic!) I didn't lose the 8 lbs in the first 2 weeks, but I did lose 3 lbs. And, I'm continuing to lose pounds as well as inches. This WOE really does work - it helps eliminate all the bad stuff while incorporating good nutritious food. I've eaten foods I never would've touched on a low calorie plan! Thanks Dr. A!
Rating:
Summary: Yes, the "Belly Fat" did go first!
Review: In my 62 years this is the first time I have ever had to diet. I have been on the South Beach Diet for about two weeks (weight loss, 12 pounds. I started on Atkins, but after a couple of weeks I felt so nauseous from all the saturated fat I got off that diet....definitely not heart healthy! South Beach is a healthy way of eating..........yes, it is similar to Atkins in many respects; however, as Dr. Agatston states, it is not low-carb or low fat once you are beyond the first phase. This way of eating (not dieting) is based on eating the "good" carbs and fat and eliminating the "bad" carbs and fat. He states that this way of eating works mainly for people that have gained their weight in their adult lives and that it does not work for all severely obese patients. You will lose sufficient weight fast during the first phase (just like Atkins). Most of this will be water loss, as with any diet, but then your weight loss slows down to a healthy 1-2 pounds a week. I did not follow the menus in the book but instead used the list of foods to eat and avoid and put my own meal plans together with food easily bought at the supermarket. You do lose the belly fat first and that is a given. I highly recommend this book as a healthy way of eating for the rest of your life, whether your goal is to lose weight or just eat right.
Rating: 
Summary: Confusing--go on Atkins instead!
Review: I've been on the Atkins diet and was thinking of switching to the South Beach diet for a while, for a change in pace. I read the South Beach Diet book and was baffled.
What's the diet?
The author claims over and over that he can explain it in a pamphlet or during a brief conversation, but he never does spell out what exactly the diet is. It seems like a [spin] off of Atkins under a different name if I understand parts of it correctly.
Also, it's contradictory. On page 57 he says, eat apples, don't drink apple juice, yet on page 72, apples are listed as 56 while apple JUICE is at 34 on the index, and you're supposed to choose the LOWEST. ?!
He uses filler stories of his successes to plump up the book. Many of them just say "I've lost weight" without saying how much or how long it took. He also has a lot of medical/technical information doesn't improve the book's readability, again to make it fatter. He should just stick to handing out his pamphlets like he was doing. Maybe if I could get my hands on one of those, I'd understand the diet.
My vote: DON'T BOTHER slogging your way through this book. Buy Atkin's New Diet Revolution instead--I lost 25 pounds in 6 weeks.
Rating: 
Summary: Lifestyle change is the key to permanent weight loss!
Review: This book will get you started and you will definitely lose weight in the first 2 weeks ( if you can stick to the program) But, the key to permanent weight loss is to change the way you live your life....your lifestyle. When you effect permanent change to your lifestyle you will find the permanent weight loss you have been seeking. There is a great new book that shows you how to do this automatically, it's called "The Power of Positive Habits"...I highly reccomend that you combine that book with this one for immediate and permanent results!
Rating:
Summary: [Finally!!!]
Review: I bought THE SOUTH BEACH DIET six weeks ago, went on the program and have lost 23 pounds. I've tried and tried to lose the weight I gained after my second child was born and I've finally succeeded. THE SOUTH BEACH DIET is the *perfect* diet!!
Rating: 
Summary: The last fad diet I fall for
Review: Day four on thie diet. Feeling cranky, listless, nauseous, weak. My head hurts. If I look at another egg or another head of lettuce, I'm gonna vomit. Sorry, Dr. Agatston. I've had enough.
Rating:
Summary: The last fad diet I fall for
Review: Day four on the diet. Feeling listless, nauseous, weak, cranky. My head hurts. If I look at another egg or head of lettuce, I'm gonna vomit. I've had enough. Sorry, Dr. Agatston.
Rating:
Summary: Could be more complete
Review: The book has a lot of good information, but is somewhat provincial and incomplete. That is, some things in it may be familiar and available in Florida, but certainly not in my part of the country. What is, for example, Laughing Cow Cheese? It's not explained, and may be a brand, but it's not in stores around here. And shopping lists would be a good addition. I went through the first two weeks and came up with well over 50 items I'd need to buy--and no info about quanities. ...
Rating:
Summary: Befuddled
Review: I felt limited in my food choice with this book. I know that you give up most all carbs for the first two weeks, however, I would have liked to have a glycemic index guideline that I could follow. This would have allowed me a greater range of foods that would still be "allowable" during Phase I. Also, I found a LOT of conflicting information. For example, you cannot have carrots during phase I, but at least one recipe in Phase I calls for carrots! Also, some of the portions are confusing. For example it lists 20 peanuts as a food to enjoy during Phase I. Does this mean limit yourself to no more than 20 peanuts a day, a meal or a week? I just feel a little more information on the diet itself is needed. The explanations of good carbs vs. bad carbs are good, but more time needs to be expended on the plan itself.
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