Rating: 
Summary: LOVE IT!!
Review: Wow, I've tried all the diets and this one I can live with. The book explains everything in such detail that it stays with you. It has WONDERFUL recipies and easy to follow instruction on how to stick with this diet for life. Having had 2 children, I gained about 30 extra lbs...well, I'm still on this diet and I have only a few pounds left to go. Worth the money!!!
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Summary: GREAT TIPS AND RECIPES, BUT SOME CAVEATS
Review: SBD is admittedly quite an effective program based largely on the idea of reducing or eliminating foods with a high "glycemic index" (a measure of the rise in blood sugar after eating). I can vouch for the efficiency of the program but there are caveats and I would advise against following ONLY this program. For one thing, although the recommendations are quite interesting, I wouldn't hang my hopes solely on the "glycemic index" notion. Calories are still the bottom line for weight loss, imho, and you should perhaps watch out for calorie levels of what you eat. Secondly, as other reviewers have already indicated, the SBD is not exactly seminal because of its striking resemblance to the Atkins program -- a low carb philosophy (though they position it as "glycemic index", indirectly related to sucrose anyway). At the outset, we are told to keep away from bread, pasta, potatoes, fruit and most dairy products in the first couple of weeks. Then, in "phase 2" healthy carbs including most fruits, whole grains, eggs and dairy products are gradually reintroduced, but processed carbs such as bagels, cookies, cornflakes, regular pasta and rice cakes remain on the list of foods to avoid or eat rarely. This continues until you are close to your weight targets. Finally "phase 3" basically mirrors "phase 2". CAVEATS: could the reliance on eggs induce high cholestrol? Also, since the last two phases selectively skimp on certain fruits and veggies, one wonders if the fruit intake is well-rounded. Thirdly, Agatson makes an implied promise of losing your belly tires first. Does this sound reasonable? I have still to come across some dieting plan that can isolate a body part in such a manner and shape it without exercise. Fourthly, speaking of exercise, diet recommendations are all fine and dandy, but some mentions of exercise would make the plan more well-rounded and authentic. Only half a page is devoted to any physical activity. Anyway, regardless of these minor gripes, this is an interesting program if you couple it with some physical activity as well. At the very least, some of the recommendations about cheese selection, aperitifs, application of olive oil etc are quite useful.
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Summary: A Great Way to Start Eating Health
Review: When I heard the claim "8 to 13" pounds in 2 weeks, I just had to try this plan. I followed the phase one plan exactly. No cheating. I only lost 3.5 pounds. However, I feel much better and know that I am now eating a healther and more balanced diet. This book gave me just what I needed: 1. Complete menu plans for 6 weeks, with recipies. 2. Easy to follow recipes, most can be prepared in less that 30 minutes. 3. Flexablity - the menu plans are not carved in stone, you can vary them if needed. I have enjoyed 95% of the recipes and so has my spouse. I just added a little of my own seasoning touches to some of the more bland item. If you use common sense, this is a great way to change your eating habits.
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Summary: Not bad, but mostly water loss
Review: I am trying this diet. You might lose a few pounds at first due to dehydration and water loss. Side effects I experienced were: headaches, nausea and then constipation and heartburn. I subscribed to the web site hoping I'd get more assistance, but it seems to be run by a bunch of low-paid children who don't ever answer peoples' questions. Promised features and updates just don't happen. You find the ever-helpful volunteers who do their best, but no other staff in sight to assist. I think Prevention.com is the best answer to get further information on your South Beach Diet. There is an extensive archive of Dr. Agatston's question and answer (more than his own wimpy web site!) and a large message board forum of experienced Beachers. Along with the book, I'd advise going there. Bottom line-- if you have trouble with carbs and they are the key to your weight gain, this is great for you. If you are just "Joe Blow Dieter" then you might be disappointed by slower weight loss.
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Summary: A Glorified Adkins Diet
Review: After receiving this book, I realized that it was the Adkins Diet with just a few things added or taken away. It is basically the same thing. High protien, low carbs. I was not aware of this untill I spoke to someone who was losing weight and she said she was on the adkins diet. The only difference really is that this book gives you recipies and daily menue plans. So you are just getting a more detailed Adkins diet. It is not anything new, just a new name.
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Summary: Terrific diet based on scientific principles-NOT ATKINS
Review: Some myths about the South Beach Diet: a. It is Atkins repackaged Not really, Atkins wants you to virtually eliminate carbs and go into ketosis. Under South Beach diet, you eat protiens, high glycemic(harder to digest, so they spike your sugars only a little) carbs and mono-unsaturated fats. This diet eliminates saturated fats, something which Atkin claims don't harm the body. Just consider that according to the FDA- "There is significan scientific agreement that diets low in saturated fat reduce the risk of heart disease". This has been studied and proven in study after study. If you follow this diet, you will end up with 40% fats(mostly mono-unsaturated), 15-25% protiens, and rest high glycemic carbs. 2. Everyone will lose 8 pounds on this diet You have to be really big to lose more, and also a lot of it is bound to be water. The bigger gains will come from the retuning of your body's habits to eat more vegetables, legumes and other complex carbs. 3. You have to lose a lot of weight to get health benefits Actually, even if you don't lose a single pound, and reduce your intake of saturated fats your cholestorol profile will improve. Cut sodium intake, and you have another gain in your long term health. Both these are claims approved by the FDA. FDA approves these claims only when there is virtual consensus about the claim. 4. South Beach Diet contravenes American Heart Association guidelines AHA wants you to eat at most 30% fat through calories, with South Beach you may go over that limit. But you will stay well below the 10% limit for saturated fat. The saturated fat limit is what matters the most. I know that most dieters want a diet that rebels against "conventional principles", but as long as a diet works - Is this really necessary? To summarize: This is a fun way to get onto a diet rich in vegetables, high glycemic carbs and rich in mono-unsaturated fat. I wish the book was more specific about the amount of saturated fat allowed, mono-unsaturated fat recommended and so on. The best reason to buy the book: The recipes- they are simply terrific. I have never seen such a collection of delightful healthy salad recipes!
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Summary: Not thrilled with results
Review: Completing my first phase, I crossed my fingers and hopped on the scales --- 4 pounds. Not even close to the promised 8 to 13 pounds! Of course, I read all about how I would lose the pounds, lose my cravings for carbs, rev up my energy. I may have a bit more energy, but I still lust for anything chocolate and other carbs. Dr. Agatston's plan sounds great, and I believe it does work for some folks, but how big do you have to be to lose the 8 to 13 pounds during the first phase? The book's format is quite helpful, but I think it has a few holes. He doesn't really say much about nuts and nut butter. After reading the book, I thought he meant we could have more than one serving of nuts or nut butter throughout the day. It wasn't until I read about his plan in a magazine that I found out you get ONE serving of nuts or nut butter each day. It also would be helpful for the doc to make suggestions on how much of the carbs to try the first few days of Phase 2. He also should consider rechecking his menus. In one of the chapters, he suggests not eating fruit for breakfast --- and then just about every breakfast of Phase 2 begins with a fruit. I understand he probably had someone else develop menus. Maybe they should actually read his book before planning meals.
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Summary: A nice book but not good for Old People
Review: When i bought this book, it was an inspiration for me to drop some of my old lady pounds. I was going to Florida to visit my two daughters, Denim and Rain, in the Florida penetentary. Whilst I was packing, I had the idea to drop a few pounds so as to fit in my purple tent like Old Woman swimming suit better. So, I bought this book. Some of the dieting techniques were unrealistic and too much to ask of an Old Woman like myself. It was a better book for younger people. The Atkins diet has worked better for me in the past. It helped me accomplish my goal of losing 30 pounds, classifing me as one hot Old Lady!
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Summary: Works for me...so far
Review: Leaving aside the editing and layout of the book, I have had success following this healthy diet. That's what mattered most to me. My weight before starting SBD Phase 1 was 152. I am 5'4" and want to weigh about 135. I followed Phase 1, eating only food from the allowed list. That's basically lean meats, low or no-fat cheese, eggs, veggies, nuts. It was fairly easy to stick to - especially because I could have nuts or cheese as snacks. Grilled fish, lean steak, some veggies and I had a dinner that I enjoyed. Eggs for b'fast. The purpose of Phase 1 is to end your cravings for sugar and carbs. It did that for me. At the end of Phase 1, I weighed 144. A loss of 8 pounds. Then, we went on vacation in Europe for 4 weeks. I tried to eat healthy foods but also had a small ice cream almost daily. Because of the diet I made much better food choices than I normally would have, although I also had pasta and bread (and the ice cream). I had fresh veggies, veggie soup, salads and fruit often, and meat when we could afford it. At the end of 4 weeks, I had lost 5 more pounds. I'm at 139 now and on Phase 2. This is better than I have ever done on a 'diet' before, especially considering the 4 week vacation. I'm feeling very healthy and am loving being a 'normal' size again. I am ignoring some of the information in the book (like the GI Index) as it makes things confusing and it's not necessary to understand it. I follow the food lists and find that I can make a wide variety of meals that even my husband will eat. I'm not finding myself focused on food all day. The internet has some great support groups for this diet. I can eat in restaurants with no problem. I have high cholesterol, so am hoping to see that come down. That would be the best news of all. But ultimately, the success of this, or any new way of eating is up to you. Just like I did, you have to CHOOSE to walk past the Cheetos isle, drive past KFC and turn down the mashed potatoes at granny's house. For me, these choices were made easier by the allowance of nuts and cheese as snacks. After Phase 1, you can add many foods back in (slowly), keeping an eye on your size so you know when you have gone "too far". If you try South Beach Diet, I wish you much success. It's working for me! So far! UPDATE: It's August 23rd and I'm holding my weight (136). I'm not eating nearly as much sugar, potatoes, bread and processed foods as I did before SBD, I'm feeling great and my husband is delighted! This new way of eating is not difficult!! My biggest tip is, don't buy stuff at the store that you shouldn't be eating. And, there ARE things that you can get occasionally that are good and a 'treat'. For example, look in the health food isle and you'll find Tostita's has organic chips with no trans fats and very low sat fat. Have that with salsa or avacado dip.
Rating: 
Summary: This is "Atkins for Dummies"
Review: Believe me, it is a waste of your time and money. This is really a mis-match of cut and pastes from Atkins diet program. It is a cheap shot at Atkins diet. It is not well written, the menus don't follow Dr. A.'s advice, and doesn't have any references for the studies quoted and sited (I wonder if that is because so many cut and pastes were done that Dr. A. didn't know which references to use). How could the publisher let this book slip a way?!
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