South Beach Diet has been a popular book for quite some time, but the principles of this weight loss system are now available in an online format. On the South Beach Diet website, you can calculate your diet profile free of charge without visiting an expensive nutritionist. The best thing about South Beach Diet is its commitment to a lifestyle change. While it is designed to help you shed pounds quickly, its focus is on eating right to maintain your new figure and your health.

What’s in it?

Developed by Arthur Agatson, M.D., South Beach is comprised of a heart healthy, comprehensive eating plan that focuses on a balance of the right foods. While some programs allow you to cheat from the start, South Beach has extremely strict guidelines that must be followed in the first phase in order to lose weight and “reset” the body’s digestive system. The following phases, though, are less regimented in their requirements.

Included in the online package are personal meal planners, a shopping list generator, recipes, weight loss trackers, and community support. The website also features a FAQ section from Dr. Agatson as well as access to registered dieticians and regular newsletters.

How does it work?

South Beach Diet categorizes certain foods, like carbohydrates and fats, as “good” or “bad.” According to South Beach, if you stick to the correct balance of the right foods, you can lose weight. South Beach is divided into three phases:

• Phase 1: This phase lasts 2 weeks, and is quite the challenge. While results are visible almost immediately, this phase can leave the dieter low on energy as the body adjusts itself to its new sustenance, lacking the high-sugar carbs that are so common in our daily diets. Food in this phase includes meat, seafood, and lots of veggies, as well as nuts, eggs, and cheese. High-carb foods like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, and a number of fruits are strictly off limits.
• Phase 2: This phase lasts as long as the dieter is interested in losing weight – whether that is 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years. Healthy carbohydrates are slowly added back into the diet as part of balanced meals.
• Phase 3: Also called “diet for life,” phase 3 is simply using the tenets of the diet to maintain your target weight.

Who does it work for?

If you are able to follow the plan laid out in South Beach, you can lose weight within the first two weeks. More importantly, if you are able to stick with it, you should be able to continue losing weight until you reach your target weight, and maintain your target weight under the tenets of South Beach Diet. Once you have reached your target weight, it is up to you to determine if you can “cheat” a bit here and there or if you need to stick to the stricter phases of the plan.

Are there possible side effects?

As we already mentioned, the first phase of the diet, especially the first few days, can leave the dieter somewhat weakened. When I tried this diet, I spent a few days feeling completely drained. Although exercise is strongly encouraged, it can be difficult to muster up the energy to workout when your body is craving those quick-jolt sugars that usually provide a boost. However, once past those first few days, I not only recovered my energy but found myself feeling more energetic than usual.

Are there any “bonus” offers?

South Beach offers a one-week trial membership to their website at no charge; after that first week, membership is just $7 per week. There is also a 100% satisfaction guarantee offered by the company, so if you don’t reach your target weight, they will refund your money.

Whether you’re interested in paying $7 a week for a great deal of online customer support or just purchasing the book and incorporating the South Beach Diet on your own, this diet definitely proves you can lose weight while eating a balanced diet and exercising. While it is up to you to stick to the meal plans the diet suggests, your overall health will be improved if you are able to discipline your eating long-term using South Beach Diet.