Rating: 
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.
Rating:
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!
Rating: 
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.
Rating: 
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!
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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!
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.
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