Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
THE SOUTH BEACH DIET By Arthur Agatston, M.D.
I haven’t read many diet books. I did not read Atkins for Life, but I decided to pick up the latest diet book bestseller, The South Beach Diet, for one good reason and one stupid one. The good reason is that I’ve put on a few pounds in the last year and thought maybe I could learn something from this book. And the stupid reason is that I loved the shiny blue/green cover.
I enjoyed Dr. Agatston’s simple explanation of why we gain weight. It’s all about slowing down digestion. The doctor, who is a cardiologist, says the equation behind most obesity is simple – the faster the sugars and starches you eat are processed and absorbed into your bloodstream, the fatter you get. Dr. Agatston developed what is now called the South Beach Diet because he noticed his heart patients were not losing weight, and if they did lose weight, they gained it back. And while the South Beach Diet promises to help you lose weight, it more importantly promises to improve the health of your blood.
On the South Beach Diet you don’t count calories or fat grams or even pay attention to portion sizes. The diet specifically directs you to eat until you’re full. It also is not dependent on exercise, although exercise always helps. It starts with a strict two week phase in which most people lose 8-12 pounds, then a second stage until you reach your ideal weight, and then the third stage for life.
The South Beach Diet book also comes with complete meal plans and recipes from South Florida chefs that look great and easy. I think I’ll give it a try. The latest best-selling diet book is a winner. The South Beach Diet by Arthur Agatston, M.D. On the Book Beat for KSL Newsradio 1160, I’m Amanda Dickson.
