What It's All About
In "The South Beach Diet" Dr. Agatston offers a diet program that he says will help you lose weight and make you healthier. In Part One, Dr. Agatston spends some time describing the different phases you'll follow and how they work. He then follows with several short, easy-to-digest chapters that cover the basics of weight loss, food components, popular diets, eating out and what this diet can do for you.
While he claims this isn't a low-carb diet, his approach is similar to other low-carb plans on the market, although perhaps not as restrictive. In this diet, you:
- Restrict 'bad' carbs (white flour, sugar etc.).
- Permit plenty of 'good' carbs (fruits, vegetables and whole grains).
- Allow "ample fats and animal proteins" (lean beef, pork, veal and lamb).
- Allow healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats (olive oil, canola oil, etc.).
How It Works
In the South Beach Diet, you follow three phases:
Phase 1
This phase lasts two weeks and calls for the elimination of processed carbs such as bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, cake, cookies, etc. The purpose of this phase is to help reduce your cravings for sweets and processed carbs. A daily diet is provided along with recipes like the Roasted Veggies & Ricotta Crème. Dr. Agatston admits this is the most restrictive phase of the diet, but that your hunger should be satisfied.
Phase 2
This phase is more liberal than Phase One. In this part of the diet, you gradually reintroduce healthy carbs such as fruit, whole grain bread, rice and pasta, etc. You also have choices for what you can eat, which makes it easier to follow. The Couscous Chicken & Meatloaf is a good example of what you'll be eating in this phase.
Phase 3
Phase 3 begins when you've reached your ideal weight. This is the least restrictive phase in which your focus is on maintaining your weight loss. You're allowed to eat the things you enjoy in moderation and, again, Dr. Agatston provides a variety of recipes and choices for your meals each day such as the yummy Roast Beef Wrap and Chocolate Dipped Apricots.Should You Try It?
The South Beach Diet is a reasonable weight loss plan that appears to be safe and effective. The only drawbacks I have would apply to almost any diet: It may be difficult to follow during the first phase because the meals are so restrictive and it requires cooking, so it may be difficult for some to follow (although he offers info about eating out). Overall, this is a solid book with many great ideas for healthy recipes and eating.