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The South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet was first developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist. The diet was created initially to help his overweight heart patients that were having difficulty sticking with other low-fat diets. Dr. Agatston published his book The South Beach Diet Book in 2003 for the public. This diet has become one of the most popular fad diets of its time.

The diet is broken down into three phases. During Phase 1, which lasts for a period of two weeks, the dieter is allowed to eat normal sized portions of food, but all carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, cereal, and fruit, are completed restricted. Dr. Agatston suggests foods such as lean meats such as chicken, turkey, and fish, vegetables, and low-fat cheese, nuts, and eggs. Although this is apparently the most difficult stage of the diet, Dr. Agatston claims that the dieter should lose between 8 and 12 pounds during Phase 1.

During Phase 2, some of the "forbidden foods" from Phase 1 can be slowly added to the dieter's meal plan. Not all of these foods can be re-added, but the dieter can choose which ones they want to eat and only in moderation. The dieter is to continue this phase of the diet until they have reached their desired weight. Dr. Agatston claims that dieters will lose 1 to 2 pounds per week during Phase 2.

Phase 3 is the stage where the dieter decides what they will eat and in what amount. Dr Agatston claims that by the time this Phase is reached, the dieter should have readjusted their eating habits to such a degree that the diet has become a way of life. These healthier eating habits should continue for life and weight should be maintained. However, if the dieter begins to gain weight again, they must return to Phase 1 and repeat the process again.

Although there are many testimonies of success with The South Beach Diet, there have also been numerous concerns regarding the health issue associated with it. In an October 2005 article Prepared Foods, leading health scientist and member of the Medical Research Council, Claire MacEvilly, said, "Celebrity endorsement of every new craze only serves to mislead the overweight." She warned, 'There is virtually no science behind any of these things." An article in Public Health News also issued this warning: "Although weight loss is achieved on the South Beach Diet some questions have been raised about the ability of the South Beach Diet to induce ketosis. This is a state when your body does not have carbohydrates

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