Rating: 
Summary: Less Stress than Atkins
Review: The good news is this diet works and it seems more sustainable in the long term than many others I have read about and tried. Reading through this book everything seems to make logical sense to me, as a layman that is, however every book like this does seem to make sense in my eyes. Having been on the diet for three weeks I can say for sure, that it is a lot less drastic than the Atkins diet I had tried in the past and failed to stay on. I have lost around 10 pounds in three weeks which I am pretty happy with, but it was tough for the first 2 weeks when the regime is pretty strict, after that the program becomes more relaxed and for me, easier to stay on. For me personally the bigest plus is that unlike the Atkins diet, carbs are allowed after the initial two week period as long as they are taken in moderation and are the right sort of carbs. For a carboholic like me the lack of carbs was the biggest single issue in the Atkins approach, and was the cause of my falling off the wagon. Going forward I see this program as a change of lifestyle as opposed to a diet and my aim is to make that change. Exercise becomes tougher as you get older, so the only alternative to eating right is to gradually get fatter, or it is for me. The cover price of this book is a lot less than cosmetic surgery and it could give you a new body and lessen your chances of a heart attack. What have you got to lose?
Rating: 
Summary: not a good book
Review: this book is utter stupidity. Before using it, my weight was 85 kgs, now its 103kgs..... the methods mentioned are not at all useful.
Rating: 
Summary: May not be supported by science
Review: The book offers good points on dieting and cardiac health, but the diet itself is not supported by strong science. A search of Medline did not find the two studies cited in the book, or any other study of this diet... From what are indicated in the book, these two studies are rather weak scientifically. Interested readers could find a comment published in the Harvard Health Letter, 29(1):5, 2003 Nov. It would be interesting to see if this other publication has enough details point out the lack of science supporting the claims of this diet book. I have not have a chance to read this yet.
The book does serve as a reminder that a diet consists of low amount of "bad" fat and lower calories (by having sensible portions and restricting carbohydrate) makes sense for healthy eating. Looking at the recommended list of carbohydrate, the diet is recommending a low carbohydrate diet in contrary to the author's claim that it is not a low carbohydrate diet.
Rating:
Summary: A fast , safe , easy way to lose weight
Review: This book does exactly what it says: it helps you lose weight quickly and easily. My husband and I have been married for one year, and we both have slowly gained about 10 pounds. We have been on the South Beach Diet for 5 days, and have each lost over 5 pounds! We started losing weight instantly. Be forewarned that the recipes, although delicious and satisfying, tend to be a tad gourmet; you have to put time and effort into many of them. If you do, however, they are wonderful! The first couple of days are hard, because most people (including us) are addicted to sugar/carbs and your body has to go through withdrawals from both. After that, it gets easier day by day. I recommend it over Atkins for 2 reasons: this diet allows you to eat vegetables which contain carbs, like broccoli, which Atkins does not; this diet is also low in fat, which Atkins is most definitely not! If you are committed to making a change in your diet in order to lose weight, this is the fast, easy and healthy way to do it!
Rating:
Summary: Good carbs and good fats rule!
Review: The low/no fat and low/no carbs thinking is thrown out the window with the South Beach diet. The South Beach diet is about eating good quality carbs and good quality fats. White flour, refined sugar, and starches are off limits, as well as fatty cuts of meat and hydronated oils. The South Beach Diet is a healty life style and not a fad diet. It is working for me.
Rating:
Summary: I am a type 2 diabetic and a heart attack survior
Review: I began this life style( Dr. Agatson made a boo boo when he used the work diet) on April 1, 2004 and today is May 22, 2004. I have lost from 231 pound to 212 pounds. The best part of all is that my blood sugar(I am a type 2 diabetic and a heart attack survior) has been fantastic since I have been following Dr. Agatson's recommendations. I have not been hungry one day. I have not followed his suggested menus, but rather I have concentrated on the rules and applied those rules to the food that I enjoy. I would like to recommend a desert that my wife and I discovered when we had an urge for something sweet but didn't want to stray from the guidelines. Take 8 ounces of non-fat plain yogurt flavored with a teaspoon of Jello fruit flavored gelitin( they are all good).It satisfies the desire for something sweet, it has 9 grams of protein, and all of the other good things found in geletin and non-fat yogurt. It taste much better than the pre-flavored yogurts and you get 2 ounces more than the pre-flavored yogurts which usually come in a 6oz container. I do not work for Jello but I must say that this desert fits Dr. Agatson's recommendation like a glove and it is cheap. I highly recommend this book. It is all about qualtiy carbs, qualtiy fats, and elminating refined sugars, white flour, and just plain eating well and feeling better.
Rating:
Summary: Skip It
Review: I don't get what all the fuss is about. This book is nothing but another Atkins rip off about insulin and cuttting carbs. It doesn't make any sense. I gained weight because I atet too much, not because I ate a potato. Plus, the fact that this book does not include exercise is shocking. I have been a dieter and exerciser for years and know that if you don't exercise, you don't keep the weight off. I was on one plan last year for about four months and lost around 28 pounds. It was a book called "Flip The Switch" by Jim Karas. I read an old article about him in Oprah's magazine (he helped her pal Gayle King lose like 20 pounds) and decided to give his program a try. If anyone is really interested in losing weight, I'd recommend that book rather than South Beach. And let's face it, all that is interesting about this book is the title. Like any of us are going to look like we live in South Beach by following this book. Buy Flip The Switch instead.
Rating:
Summary: Good diet, good book
Review: A friend of mine has had great luck with this diet and I hope it does the same for me. Just got the book and it is really helpful. Also ordered a recommended title the Emotional Intelligence Quickbook that has helped quite a bit with managing my own behavior and keeping me on track with following anything that's important to me, including the new diet!
Rating:
Summary: The only diet you should try on the market ..........period
Review: I have read so many whiny reviews about this genius-written book I just cannot believe it. Everything from it copies the new Atkins diet (actually it's vice-versa), to how bad the South Beach cauliflower mashed potatoes are. I need to lose 35 more pounds (I just lost 5 pounds in 7 days) I did not starve myself, nor was I ever hungry, I did not exercise at all, and I feel great and proud of myself. I am no diet expert, but I truly feel that this is the most "doable" diet on the market. I also believe that if you cannot lose weight on this diet, you will not lose weight on any diet, as I have pretty much tried them all. I can explain the concept in one sentence. He does not cut out all carbs, you do not go into ketosis like the atkins, he separates all carbs and fats into either good or bad. You MUST have your mind right, meaning you can say the old cliche "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". I am not saying that the first phase is a walk in the park, but it is not that bad. Bottom line, if you are not ready to really lose weight, don't waste your time. And, by the way the the South Beach cauliflower mashed potatoes are pretty darn good.
Rating:
Summary: A Regular Person - A Short and Sweet Review
Review: I read the book its very good and I followed the allowed foods listed but I didnt follow the menu for each day at all. I am not big on fish, I ADORE potatoes and I like my PB&J sandwhich. Well guess what I still have those things once in a while and I stick mostly to the rules. (Im on Phase 2) I did manage to lose about 19 pounds in two months, mostly in the first 2 weeks. I could lose more but I really love my food, my family has always had alot of food at meal times and "Clean your plate, Theres starving People out there." was like a motto. Old habits are hard to break you know. The Point - I dont follow this exactly, I still have lost weight but slower then I might have if I stuck to it, I just cant. Read it, Follow the key points, it will work.
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