What It Is What You Can Eat How It Works What the Experts Say Food for Thought Review More of the Latest Diets

Most popular diets work -- at first -- because of their novelty. Also, the first pounds lost usually are water from your tissues, not fat itself. Over time, your tissues will rehydrate. That's no reason to get discouraged. If you're eating less, eating better foods, and getting enough exercise, you will become leaner.

One big plus for the South Beach diet is that it doesn't leave you in limbo. It recommends healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle long after you give up on ever getting back a loaned-out copy of the book.

The reason you diet may be to look better. There's nothing wrong with that. But the reason to become healthy is to have a strong heart, strong lungs, and healthy bones. There's nothing wrong with that, either.

Reviewed By Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, June 2005.

SOURCES: Agatston, A. The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss, Rodale Press, April 2003. The South Beach Diet web site. WebMD Feature: "South Beach Diet Is Hot; Here's Why." WebMD Live Event Transcript: "The South Beach Diet -- Arthur Agatston, MD -- 7/23/03."

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