The South Beach Diet is a weight-healthy lifestyle designed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami. Originally developed as a weight-loss plan for his overweight heart patients, he found additional health benefits that led to further diet research and refinement. Thus the South Beach Diet was born.

(1) Basic Diet Tenets/Nutritional Philosophy - 5

There are three basic “phases” to the South Beach Diet:  (1) Eliminate Cravings and Kickstart Weight Loss; (2) Lose Steadily, and (3) Maintain for Life. In the first phase, which lasts two weeks, you will eliminate cravings for sugar and refined starches and jump-start your weight loss. This is done by eating nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods, including lean meats, low-fat dairy, veggies, and eggs. This is similar to the Atkins Diet, where carbs play a very reduced role in the diet.

The second phase of the South Beach Diet is where you will lose the weight. You will incorporate some “good” carbs into your protein-rich diet, still be able to snack, and can either prepare your own food, use South Beach diet recipes, or buy commercially prepared South Beach diet foods. This phase lasts until you have reached your weight loss goal.

The final phase is maintenance, adopting the South Beach lifestyle for life. This kicks in once you have reached your weight loss goal. You take what you learned in the second phase—making smart food choices, assessing portion control, learning to cook in a healthy fashion—an apply it to your everyday life. This phase is less restrictive on carbs, but still dependent on a low-carb, high-protein diet. You should be able to maintain your weight loss in this final phase.

Unlike Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, there is no storefront or office or meetings. There is a comprehensive website, which allows you to join discussion groups, find a diet buddy, and read success stories. The site also has Nutrition Counseling in the form of online dieticians who can answer questions.

(2) Exercise/Fitness Component - 5

As part of your South Beach Diet, you will need to incorporate exercise. To this end, there is the South Beach Diet Fitness Club. You will be provided a complete fitness routine that emphasizes core, cardio, strength, and flexibility — all the moves you need for a fit and healthy body. Features of the Fitness Club include a daily walking routine and Pilates-based core movements (with pictures and step-by-step video instruction). There are exercises for every level and there is no need for fancy equipment or an expensive gym membership, although you can utilize both if you have them.

(3) Food - 5

A bonus of this diet is the website. As a member you will get daily meal plans and food suggestions. You will also have access to a recipe widget and large inventory of recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. South Beach Living food products are available in most grocery stores throughout the country and include cereal/snack bars, meal replacement bars, pizzas, wraps, and cookies. South Beach has also teamed with Kraft Foods and has lists of recommended food items that can be used for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks or dessert, expanding your range of food and making it easier to incorporate into family-style meals.

(4) Ease of Use - 4

Once you read about the diet and understand the phase you are about to undertake, the diet is easy to follow. You rarely feel hungry. The downsides:

• You have to cook your own meals, rather than buy commercially prepared diet foods, but there are shortcuts which can be easily found. 
• Learning what is a good and bad carb, counting those carbs.

(5) Cost (per month) - 5

Membership: No cost
Food: slight increase (South Beach diet foods and snacks are higher priced than traditional foods, and the elimination of many cheaper “bad” carbs)
Other: book, cookbook

As with any diet program, do your research first. Go to the library, search the internet, and above all, consult your doctor about any diet regimen that you are contemplating.