Rating: 
Summary: This diet has worked for me, and it's not difficult !!!!
Review: The first two days on the diet, I felt a little dizzy, but eventually that feeling went away. During the first phase, I never felt like I was starving or deprived, my appetite was always satisfied. I was surprised to see that in the first 10 days, I dropped 7 pounds. I haven't followed this diet perfectly because I still had alcohol during the first phase, but cutting out the carbs has made such a difference. I was addicted to potato chips and french fries, and now I don't have cravings for them like I used to. I have been on the diet for one month now and am introducing carbs back into my meals, I've lost 10 pounds total.
Rating: 
Summary: Vauge
Review: I'm fasinated by all types of self improvement through eating regimens, and "South Beach" was no different. It's an interesting read, with a solid amount of facts and well thought-out opinions. My only real complaint, albeit a major one, is the phrase used so often: "you'll lose weight". What exactly does that mean? Losing weight can define several different physical loses. I believe what should have been stated, and what most people want to hear, is that they "will lose fat". How much of the "South Beach" diet is base on bone density, water, muscle, anatomy fluid, and such. Clarify this please, one certainly does not want to lose bone and muscle.
Rating: 
Summary: Exercise is not optional
Review: I just finished a copy of this book that a friend gave me. Since there has been so much press, I wanted to read what it had to say. First of all, I have had a weight problem my whole life. The only time I lost any weight (about 26 pounds) was earlier this year with a program I read about in Good Housekeeping magazine by Jim Karas. I read his book, called "Flip The Switch" and was impressed with how he talked about eating, exercise and the emotional issues that surround body image (I have a BAD one and an trying to change that.) So, I kept hearing that you can lose 8-15 pounds in two weeks on this South Beach Plan. I don't know a single person who has done so. In fact, according to Flip The Switch, it is physically impossible to do so. Plus, this Dr. says exercise is optional. Come on, anyone reading this, you and I know that we have to get moving to get rid of unwanted weight. So, I say forget this South Beach thing and buy Flip The Switch instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting concept, but too restrictive for real life.
Review: The book does a pretty good job of explaining good carbs vs. bad carbs and what they do to one's body. However, after trying the diet, I realized that it was too restrictive and unrealistic. For instance, beer is not allowed at all, and I like to enjoy a beer or two on weekends. Also, I'd like to have a bun with my hotdog and beer. The diet seems like a great concept, but is it something one can do for the rest of one's life? Not really.
Rating:
Summary: Another Fad Diet
Review: My husband and I tried the diet for a couple of days. The diet left us feeling weak and sick. I do not think this is a very good diet for people who enjoy food. You should only lose 1-2 pounds a week, and not 8-13 pounds in two weeks! In order for someone to lose weight they need to cut their calories and exercise. In order to lose 1 pound you need to cut 3500 calories a week, and you can do this without cutting out the foods you enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: 25 Pounds in Less than Three Months
Review: The diet works, if you can make it through the first two weeks. I found myself to be dizzy just before meals at the beginning, but then the dizziness disappeared as I emerged from Week 2. Most of the recipes for entrees and salads are tasty and easy to make, and after a while I came to prefer them over heavier things I used to eat. I'm no longer hungry at all, I've lost 25 pounds in less than three months (I started July 1) and I have gone down two belt notches. Actually, since I have a sweet tooth I combined this diet with sugar-free desserts from the sugar-free section of the grocery store in order to be successful (because the primary dessert recommended in the book is inedible). Overall, this diet has worked better than anything else I've ever tried.
Rating:
Summary: Not good for the slightly over weight and/or active people.
Review: I'm 6'2" and started the diet at 186. My ideal weight is about 165 (I have a small frame, and am 40 years old). I stuck with phase 1 for 12 days until I couldn't stand it anymore. I did lose 7 pounds. But I had no energy at all and could barely work out. Another male friend around my age and body type had the same experience. Also, a 31 year old female friend had the same experience. The diet has some very sound advice (stay low on the glycemic index) but I don't think it makes sense for active people with less than 20 pounds to lose. And the editing is terrible and contradictory. At the end of the text, he says that you can have white bread and white potatoes after working out. What if you work out several times per week? There are several other inconsistencies. The diet restricts amounts, however the testimonials sound like they come from Atkins dieters, they mention unlimited amounts of some things.
I did lose about 7 pounds in 12 days but I was miserable. I'm much happier on Body-For-Life because it provides some carbs and gradual, sustainable weight loss.
Rating:
Summary: A good book for those starting or looking for a new diet
Review: I've read the other reviews, and to a certain extent they make valid points. This book might be either boring or oversell to those who have read The Atkins Diet book, or other books on Low Carb dieting. On the other hand, I must credit the book with this: I actually read it. Maybe that's because a friend of mine lost 40 pounds on this diet, or maybe because the metallic aqua/blue cover caught my attention, or maybe the name "South Beach Diet" by a Miami Beach cardiologist sounded a bit exotic to my ears. But for whatever reason, I read this book and learned a good bit about how some carbs are a lot worse than other carbs, and that unfortunately I tended to favor the bad carbs. Is the book well organized (No, IMO) and is it confusing at times (Yes)? You really learn the "diet" by osmosis by reading the recipes and brief testimonials of those who have participated in it. The South Beach Diet is a lot like the Atkins diet, with some modifications. Dr. Agatston is a bit concerned that the Atkins rule (at least as practiced by my wife and brother in law) of "eat all the protein and fats you want--just avoid all carbs" can be a bit unhealthy. I know that I've tried the Atkins diet, and it works miserably (you'll actually GAIN weight) if you don't cut out just about all carbs. This book leans more to a "leaner protein"/low glycemic index carb diet, cutting out high fat proteins, bad fats, and high glycemic index carbs. In practice and emergencies, it works a bit like Atkins though (rushed to eat breakfast at a McDonald's this am, I ordered a McMuffin and ate the cheese slice, egg and canadian bacon and ditched the bread)...while Atkins wants you to avoid most all carbs, on this diet, you really need to avoid the high glycemic index carbs, but a lot of low glycemic index veggies are actually encouraged. In any event all of these low carb diets work on the principle that foods that raise your blood sugar quickly also cause your blood sugar to later fall quickly, establishing carbo cravings and vicious cycles which lead to weight gain, and that higher protein--lower carb diets can help us get around these cycles. I suspect the Atkins diet--if strictly adhered to--loses more weight up front, but this diet plan may work better for the long haul. Having failed at Atkins because I couldn't resist putting on BBQ sauce on the pork, ketchup on a breadless cheeseburger, or having the wrong salad dressing plus croutons with my salad, plus seeing my friend lose 40 lbs, I've decided to give this one a try.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and Easy
Review: I think that this book is fairly simple and to the point. I also think that some of the criticisms of it are unfair and inaccurate. They puzzled me. Perhaps some readers are just in a fury over the concept of giving up bread, potatoes and dessert. Ha. It most certainly is not "Atkins Redux." Distinctions are drawn between bad fat and good fat as well as between good carbs and bad carbs. One reader complained that the first 100 pages were a waste and that the diet, recipes, etc. didn't start until page 100. I frankly enjoyed reading about the philosophy behind the diet and would regard it as an insult to my intelligence if only the menus were presented without any explanation. Guess this quick fix just isn't enough for some people who will continue looking for an even quicker fix. That is why fat is an epidemic in this country.
Rating:
Summary: How to lose weight and make the most of life
Review: The South Beach Diet makes total sense. I now understand how carbs affect us and how to make food serve me instead of control me. I recommend this great book and another brilliant book called Optimal Thinking-How to be Your Best Self by Dr. Rosalene Glickman. Optimal Thinking is the "mental software" to make choices that are in our best interest and make the best of any situation. Read every word in each of these books and you'll have it all. You'll never need to read another self-help book!
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