South Beach Diet Book

South Beach Diet Book by Patrick Beaufay

Diet books and fad diets are nothing new. It seems every few months there´s a new weight loss program being touted by the so-called experts as the new miracle diet. We, as consumers, are bombarded by before and after pictures and testimonials from people who have successfully lost weight with some fabulous new program.

Two years ago, another new diet book hit the shelves. It was called The South Beach Diet, written by Dr. Arthur Agatston. Since its release in 2003, The South Beach Diet has been listed on the New York Times´ bestseller list for an impressive 103 weeks. Dr. Agatston has released companion books, started a fee-based website, and is working with Kraft Foods to create a line of pre-packaged South Beach menu items. How is this diet any different from the others, and more importantly, does it work?

The main idea behind South Beach is to eat three meals a day along with snacks and even dessert, while avoiding highly processed foods. Dr. Agatston says that South Beach is not low carb or low fat, but rather good carb and good fat. The diet is broken down into three phases: phase one is very restrictive and lasts about two weeks, phase two is much more open with food choices and lasts until you reach your goal weight, and phase three is called ´maintenance´, which should guide your food choices for the rest of your life.

During phase one, you can eat until you are full (not stuffed full, just no longer hungry) from a list of approved foods. The list consists of mainly vegetables and lean meat, including seafood, as well as low fat or fat-free dairy products and legumes. You can have sugar-free Jell-o or popsicles as treats; up to 75 calories worth per day. Nuts and natural peanut butter are also on the list, but with limits. You´re basically giving up bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, and sugar in all of its forms. The South Beach Diet book claims that you can lose 8-13 pounds in just two weeks on phase one, and that you will lose belly fat first.

Phase two widens your menu quite a bit. You can now eat whole grain bread and pasta, brown rice, select fruits, and (my personal favourite) sugar-free Jell-o pudding. Still no sugar though, except for the occasional bite of dark chocolate. Good carbs in the form of whole grains and legumes, and good fats in the form of unsaturated, non-hydrogenated things like I Can´t Believe it´s Not Butter spray and olive oil are all approved.

Once you´ve reached your goal weight, you´re pretty much on your own. Phase three lets you eat within the phase two guidelines, adding occasional treats and ´white´ food, but omitting the snacks you´ve come to depend on. There isn´t much guidance here, since by now you should know what your body is able to handle. Dr. Agatston recommends that you return to phase two if you find yourself gaining weight again.

Sounds simple enough, doesn´t it? The book even claims that you don´t need to exercise to lose weight with this plan (although it does recommend that you add physical activity as part of your weight loss effort) . While the eating plan is certainly healthy, there are some drawbacks to this diet - or at least with the way it is presented.

Phase one is very restrictive. Sure, you´re only on it for two weeks, and the potential weight loss is very encouraging. Many people, however, do not lose the ´guaranteed´ 8-13 pounds in phase one and get discouraged. Not only that, but suddenly dropping all sugar and refined carbs from your diet can cause dizziness, light-headedness, an inability to focus or concentrate, and constipation (believe it or not) . This rapid weight loss phase is designed to control your cravings, but sometimes the side effects just aren´t worth it. If you think you can manage your cravings, head straight for phase two.

South Beach also recommends that you use sugar substitutes, specifically Splenda. Some people have trouble digesting aspartame, while others prefer to avoid one unhealthy substance and substitute it with a chemically processed alternative. Explore your options in this case - there are other ways to sweeten foods without sugar or chemicals.

While you´re on phase two, your weight loss should slow down to one or two pounds a week, according to the book. This is reasonable, and slow weight loss is definitely healthier than dropping pounds rapidly. It is a balanced diet and has great effects on your health, with the added benefit of losing unwanted pounds. What is confusing as far as the book is concerned though is that there are ingredients in the recipes that aren´t found on the recommended Foods to Enjoy list. Also, Dr. Agatston asks that you add grains and fruit back to your diet slowly; only one serving a day to start, and gradually increase your servings until you find your weight loss slowing down. If you follow the daily menu plans in the book though, there are several fruit and grain servings for each day.

For anyone who needs a structured plan based on numbers, The South Beach Diet is not the way to go. But if you like the freedom of not having to count anything and using common sense to lose weight, then South Beach is more of a strategic eating plan than a rigid diet and would work very well for you. Keep in mind that all diets revolve around the same principal: take in fewer calories than you burn off. Burn more calories than you consume, and the weight will come off. Eating well and enjoying healthy food is integral to this process, and that´s where The South Beach Diet shines.

Written by Patrick Beaufay

For more info, please visit my blog: http://burn-fat-fast.blogspot.com

South Beach Diet Cook Book - The South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook

The South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook (Hardcover) - South Beach Diet Cook Book by Arthur Agatston

South Beach Diet Cook Book Description

What better way to enjoy the relaxed, healthy South Beach Diet lifestyle than with a cookbook that celebrates the best foods of summer from garden and market? The 150 all-new quick and healthy recipes in The South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook capture the casual, sunny essence of Florida’s popular South Beach--and other warm climates around the world.

Whatever phase of the South Beach diet you’re on, you’ll find ideas for breezy breakfasts; crisp salads and light summer sandwiches; innovative grilling ideas for meats, poultry, fish, and shellfish; tempting vegetarian entrées; refreshing desserts; and cooling summer drinks. Imagine sitting at an outdoor table with family and friends enjoying Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho, Grilled Shrimp Caesar, South Beach Diet Tiramisu, and Iced Pom-Mojito Spritzers—just a few of the refreshing recipes to be found in this South Beach Diet book. But this is more than just a summer cookbook. Tips throughout remind readers that grilling is a year-round pastime and that many of the recipes can be easily adapted to what’s freshest in the season. You’ll also get Sample Meal Plans for South Beach Diet Phases 1 and 2, a glossary of key ingredients used in the book, and dozens of ideas for maximizing the bounty of the garden. The 60 beautiful full-page color photographs show just how appealing summertime South Beach Diet recipes can be.

About the Author - South Beach Diet Cook Book

ARTHUR AGATSTON, MD, is a preventive cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He has authored numerous scientific articles and is frequently quoted in the media as an expert on diet and health. His most recent book, The South Beach Heart Program champions a revolution in heart disease prevention that will enable people to save their own lives. Among his other best-selling books are The South Beach Diet, The South Beach Diet Good Fats/Good Carbs Guide, The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook, and The South Beach Diet Parties & Holidays Cookbook. Dr. Agatston maintains a preventive cardiology practice and research foundation in Miami Beach where he lives.


South Beach Diet Cook Book Product Details

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Rodale Books (May 15, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1594864454
ISBN-13: 978-1594864452
Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 0.9 inches

Book - The South Beach Diet Cookbook

The South Beach Diet Cookbook - South Beach Diet Book

The book that South Beach Dieters have been clamoring for!

Since its publication in April 2003, The South Beach Diet (SBD) has become a nationwide phenomenon: a #1 New York Times bestseller with more than 7 million copies in print. A key factor in the diet's success is the great-tasting, well-balanced meals that Dr. Agatston promotes. In fact, requests for more recipes began pouring in as soon as the South Beach Diet book hit the shelves!

Introducing The South Beach Diet Cookbook! Filled with completely new, easy-to-prepare recipes that use "good" carbs and fats-the secret to fast, healthy weight-loss-this book makes it a snap to stick to The South Beach Diet and still enjoy the South Beach Diet foods you love.

Beginning with a brief overview of the science-based eating philosophy and why it produces dramatic results, the SBD South Beach Diet book also includes success stories, troubleshooting tips, and frequently asked questions. The fabulous recipes, from Whole Grain Pancakes with Berry Cream Syrup to Filet Mignon with Tomatoes and Rosemary to Chocolate-Hazelnut Flourless Cake, ensure that The South Beach Diet Cookbook will appeal to anyone who wants to eat more healthfully and of course, deliciously. And for every dish there is an indicator as to which phase of the diet it corresponds, so followers can choose the appropriate foods.

In addition to fabulous South Beach Diet recipes, you'll receive bonus SBD recipes contributed by prominent South Beach chefs and by readers themselves. Illustrated throughout with 50 full-color photographs, The South Beach Diet Cookbook will satisfy the needs of the thousands who are already on the plan and draw in thousands of new followers as well.

South Beach Diet Book - The South Beach Diet Good Fats/Good Carbs Guide

The South Beach Diet Good Fats/Good Carbs Guide (Revised): The Complete and Easy Reference for All Your Favorite Foods (Paperback) by Arthur Agatston

Book Description - South Beach Diet

Based on the nation's #1 bestsellerPublished in January 2004, The South Beach Diet Good Fats/Good Carbs Guide has sold more than three million copies and has continuously topped national bestseller lists. An essential tool for success, the completely revised and updated South Beach Diet guide will feature a new, more user-friendly format and an expanded list of foods, as well as the most up-to-the-minute new information on nutrition and healthy eating to aid the now millions of early adopters.The new South Beach Diet edition will include:o An expanded nutritional breakdown: total carbs and net carbs, total fat and saturated fat, fiber, and sugar.o More food listings including meal replacement bars, other convenience foods, healthy fast-food menu items, and beverages.o FAQs organized by phase and designed to answer dieters' most common questions.o A foreword by Dr. Agatston detailing new research and outlining the changes to the diet.o Each food listing will now have a recommendation by phase. For example, bananas might be a food to avoid in the first 2 weeks of Phase One but will be a food to enjoy in South Beach Diet Phase Two.

About the Author - South Beach Diet

ARTHUR AGATSTON, M.D., is an associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Author of The South Beach Diet, he has frequently appeared on television and has authored more than 100 scientific publications. He lives in Miami Beach where he maintains a private practice.

Product Details - South Beach Diet

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Rodale Books; Rev Exp edition (April 19, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1594861986
ISBN-13: 978-1594861987
Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches

South Beach Diet Book - The South Beach Diet Dining Guide

The South Beach Diet Dining Guide: Your Reference Guide to Restaurants Across America (Paperback) by Arthur Agatston

Editorial Reviews - South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet Good Fats/Good Carbs Guide has sold nearly five million copies and has continuously topped national bestseller lists. An essential tool for success on the South Beach Diet, the guide features a user-friendly format, an expansive list of foods, FAQs organized by phase and designed to answer dieters most common questions, as well as the most up-to-the-minute information on nutrition and healthy eating. The convenient take-along size makes The South Beach Diet Good Fats/Good Carbs Guide a perfect grocery shopping companion.


Product Details - South Beach Diet

Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Rodale Books (December 27, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1594863601
ISBN-13: 978-1594863608
Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5 x 0.6 inches

South Beach Diet Book - The South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss (Hardcover) by Arthur Agatston

Editorial Reviews - South Beach Diet

The verdict is in: those simple carbs we've been living on are killing us. For good health, we've got to get our blood sugar under control and stop the incessant cravings. Or so says Dr. Arthur Agatston, author of The South Beach Diet. The first half of the South Beach Diet book details the science behind the diet. Most of the explanations revolve around why things you thought were healthy—-orange juice, wheat toast, carrots—-are actually evil. To avoid blood sugar surges, Agatston created a modified carbohydrate plan, recommending plenty of high-fiber foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while cutting bread, rice, pastas, and fruits. Major differences from other diets South Beach Diet include a lack of concern over portion size and a serious indifference to exercise. Feeling full while on a diet is a beautiful thing, but it seems odd that a cardiologist buries his exercise recommendations in a solitary sentence.

The last half of the South Beach Diet book covers his three-stage plan; daily diets are mixed with recipes, some of which are from South Beach restaurant chefs. The most restrictive South Beach Diet period lasts just two weeks, enough time to stabilize your urges and lose a few pounds; stage two adds fruits and a handful of other carbs, while stage three is meant to last the remainder of your life, with occasional lapses for white bread or birthday cake. While the South Beach Diet diet is sound, the book could be better organized. The first half South Beach Diet mixes scientific study with anecdote in a seemingly random way, while the mix of meal plans and recipes can be confusing. Still, the recipes are varied and tasty, and you'll never feel deprived, unless you currently happen to live by bread alone. --Jill Lightner

From Publishers Weekly - South Beach Diet

Despite the glitzy title, this is one of the more appealing diet books among the new "anti-carb" programs. Agatston, a doctor based at Miami Beach's Mt. Sinai Medical Center, found that his patients not only were unable to stay on various popular diets but their cholesterol and blood sugar levels remained dangerously high after trying these plans. The South Beach Diet doctor chose to alter his own diet-first avoiding all carbohydrates and fruit and then reintroducing these foods in moderation. Feeling better and losing weight, he then consulted a nutritionist to modify his strategy to devise a sound method for his patients. The South Beach diet begins with a somewhat restrictive two-week program, generally producing a weight loss of from eight to 13 pounds. The initial South Beach Diet phase may be difficult for those who crave bread, pasta and fruit. But there are still choices, and snacks (cheese, hummus, vegetables) are a necessary part of the diet. People shouldn't feel hungry on this part of the diet, stresses the author. The second phase offers somewhat more choices, including whole wheat bread and other selected carbohydrates. Agatston advocates combining the "bad" with the "good." For example, take whole wheat bread and dip it into olive oil, rather than using butter. Eat a very small amount of pasta with lots of vegetables, meat and healthy oils. Complete meal plans along with simple recipes comprise roughly half the book. Of course, there's no perfect diet that works for everyone but the enthusiasm of the conversational tone and the inviting manner make the South Beach Diet book more appealing than many other diet tomes.

Product Details - South Beach Diet

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Rodale, Inc. (April 25, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1579546463
ISBN-13: 978-1579546465
Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 1.1 inches