There have been many diets based on the glycemic index over the years, but the South Beach Diet made carbs cool.

The lifestyle we now know as the South Beach Diet was originally not a plan developed for weight loss purposes. Instead, it was developed to be a heart healthy way of eating for (creator) Dr Arthur Agatston's patients. Weight loss turned out to be a really great side effect! The diet was commercialized and vamped up by a genious marketing firm and sold to the masses. However, since the South Beach Diet was not originally intended to be for weight loss, there were a few gray areas. The average cardiology patient will work this into their diet the best they can. The average dieter, though, wants to know exactly how many teaspoons of fat free half and half she/he can get away with and still lose weight.

Like many commercial diets, the South Beach Diet is in phases. There are 3 phases in the South Beach Diet.

Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet is a carbohydrate boot camp. It lasts for 2 weeks and is similar to a low carb diet. You'll cut out all flour, sugar, fatty meats, fruit and fruit juices, dairy (except for some low fat cheeses) and alcohol. You'll also be nixing certain starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn, carrots and most dried beans.

You'll be able to eat lean meat, tofu, mozzarella cheese sticks, olive and canola oil, cottage and ricotta cheese, most non starchy vegetables, nuts, fish, and up to 75 calories a day of sugar substitute treats. Dr Agatston says you will lose up to 13 pounds in this phase, depending on your weight. This also depends, however, on if you are already a low carber. If you've been low carbing already, you aren't going to lose as much weight up front on the South Beach Diet.

[Continue to part two of the South Beach Diet review]