South Beach Diet          South Beach Diet Online ww.southbeachdiet.com        
Arthur Agatston, MD
New York: Random House, 2003

Authors Background:

Arthur Agatston, M.D is a well-known cardiologist in Miami who designed a low-carb weight loss eating plan for his overweight cardiac patients. The focus of his clinical practice is disease prevention.

Diet Claims:

Agatston advocates the intake of “good” fats & ”good” carbohydrates for cardiac protection, improved nutrition and management of hunger, insulin resistance and weight control. Refined or simple carbohydrates are restricted (e.g. white bread, soda, baked goods and candy). Lean proteins, some fruits & vegetables and oils are the staples of this diet. Three meals plus two snacks are the eating pattern for all phases of the diet.

The three phases of the South Beach Diet are as follows:

Phase I:

• “Banishing bad carbohydrates” by eliminating virtually all carbohydrate-containing foods.
• Expected weight loss: 7-14 pounds during the first two weeks after starting the diet.
• Foods allowed: lean meats, poultry and fish, low-fat cheese, eggs, non-starchy vegetables, nuts and suggested South Beach Diet dessert recipes.
• Foods restricted: fruits, starchy vegetables, legumes, breads and other grains, baked goods and other sugary items. Meats high in saturated fat are also not allowed.

Phase II:

• Adding back “good” carbohydrates-those with a low glycemic index value such as unprocessed fruits and whole grains.
• Expected weight loss: 1-2 pounds per week.
• Foods allowed: lean meats, poultry and fish, low-fat cheese, eggs, non-starchy vegetables. Addition of most fruits, whole grains such as barley, oatmeal and high fiber cereals, nuts, legumes, starchy vegetables and combination dishes per South Beach Diet food lists and recipes are allowed. One-two cups of red or white wine daily are acceptable.
• Foods restricted: Bananas, watermelon, raisins and canned fruit. Refined starches such as white bread, baked goods and sugary items. Foods high in saturated or trans fats are also not allowed.

Phase III:

• Maintenance phase (weight loss goal attained).
• Promotes the inclusion of “good” carbohydrates that are low in glycemic index value.
• Foods allowed: Same as those for Phase II but more liberal amounts of “good” carbohydrates.
• Foods restricted: refined carbohydrates such as white bread, baked goods and other processed starches. Foods high in saturated or trans fats are not allowed.
  

Sample Menu (for Phase I):

Breakfast
6 oz tomato juice
Scrambled eggs with fresh herbs and mushrooms
2 slices Canadian bacon
Decaffeinated coffee or decaffeinated tea with nonfat milk and sugar substitute

Midmorning snack
1 part-skim mozzarella cheese stick

Lunch
Chicken Caesar salad (no croutons)
2 Tbsp prepared Caesar dressing

Midafternoon snack
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese with 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes and cucumbers

Dinner
Mahi mahi
Oven-roasted vegetables
Arugula salad
2 Tbsp balsamic vinaigrette or low-sugar prepared dressing

Dessert
Lemon zest ricotta crème

Nutrition Analysis of Sample Menu:*

Calories     1340
Protein      140 g (42% calories)
Total fat      65 g (43 % calories)
Carbohydrate    50 g (15% calories)
Saturated fat     19 g
Cholesterol     713 mg
Sodium        4138 mg
Fiber             10.9 g

*Menu items were imputed into NDS 2.93 data base for analysis.

• Agatston proclaimed research to support his diet is very limited. The two short-term studies had a small sample size and were funded by South Beach Diet affliations.
• Eating plan does not burden the dieter to measure most foods or count calories.
• Diet may be deficient in fiber and calicium (even in the maintenance phase) due to the limited amount of whole grains and dairy products allowed.
• Healthy fats, lean protein sources and nutrient-rich fruits & vegetables are the staples of this diet. But limited amounts of whole grains and restriction of sweets may be difficult to follow on a regular basis.
• If dieter goes "off track", restarting Phase I is recommened to strengthen compliance.
• Moderate aerobic exercise and core strengthening are recommended daily.
• Online support from the South Beach web site (www.southbeachdiet.com) offers tools such as advice from registered dietitians, recipe database, food journaling and meal planner that dieters may find useful. A membership fee is required for these services.

Reviewed 1/07