I bought this book on the recommendation of my doctor. After reading it, I think it was just a waste of my time and money. This diet is not for the average person. Who eats these kinds of foods anyway? Not only would it cost a fortune to buy these foods (if you can even find them in a store), but who has the time to make all these meals? I can't believe people say this is so easy to follow when I have never even heard of half of these foods before. The diet cookbook is filled with weird recipes such as yougurt-marinated lamb kebabs and artichoke dip. Or how about some green leaf, pear and goat cheese salad? I don't think the average person eats these kinds of meals. I guess if you're rich and can hire a chef, maybe this diet can work for you.

The advice offered in this book is smart and on target, while that offered by the late Dr. Atkins misses the mark. All carbohydrates aren't bad, and good carbohydrates, the whole grains, are indeed essential to health. Follow the advice in this book, and you'll be on the way to a healthier, new you.

Another book for health-conscious individuals I highly recommend is called "The Natural Bird Flu Cure THEY Don't Want You to Know About." The information offered in this book I found to be both alarming and important.

Dr. Nelson Humphries
Santa Monica, CA

Well, I'm only on day 3 of this diet, so I haven't seen it all the way through. But, it is the best diet I've ever been on! I'm eating vegetable omelets for breakfast and I'm never hungry at all during the day...he has you eating 6 times a day and I'm feeling so much better just within a few days. I don't have a scale, so I have no clue if I've lost any weight, but I can tell a difference in my clothing already. My mom is diabetic and her doctor recommended this diet for her. My husband is doing a modified version of this diet as well. We both are not obese, but have gained weight since having children. We're both excited about our whole family eating more healthy!

I admit it - I shy away from many of the popular things in life, mainly because I think that we humans tend to *want* to believe that because something is popular it is worth spending our time, effort and money on. So I did my standard roll of the eyes when this diet was mentioned at work and on TV. "Another friggen Adkins diet variation", I mumbled.

My doctor, however, recommended it as an option, and as I think my doctor is the real deal, I took notice.

I've read the book and listened to the audiobook as well and while I tend to cringe at doctors who try to tell me they are not self promoters, I'll give Agatson the benefit of the doubt. He definitely is confident in his diet and himself.

I cross-referenced this diet with the one I like a lot - Michael Mogadam's Eating for Life (see my other reviews for info on that book). They generally were in line with each other and that was encouraging because I think Mogadam's diet is very high on the science and low on the glitz.

Back to this book: The first two weeks are similar to Adkins and really do stink a bit, especially if you are used to eating pizza and burgers and fries. After that - it is very easy to follow.

I'd recommend getting the diet cookbook he has - many good recipes in it. Some aren't as good, but that book is worth the cash in my opinion.

Most importantly, get up and move. I promise you that if you get off your rump and get 30-45 minutes of cardio workout a day maybe four or five times a week and do some light resistance work - dumbbells are great, you will see great improvements to your health, your physique, and your outlook on life. Just remember that *discipline* is the key.

Don't give up!

I have been there, I have seen it, I have done it all! Low carb, low fat, low this, low that... It took me many years to realize that diets are nothing else but what they are - just diets. I will NOT say they don't work. Sure they work! At least as long as you watch each and every bite you take! At least as long as you maintain your strong willpower. It IS nice to have good looks, but is that all we want from our lives? How about GOOD LOOKS resulting from GOOD HEALTH? Dr. Tombak in his book "Can We Live 150 Year?" cites bad habits that lead people to obesity. Here are some of them:

1. The habit of eating fast and not chewing the food well
2. Drinking fluids at meals
3. Frequent snacking or constant chewing
4. Incorrect combining of food products
5. Lying down after meals
6. Sitting lifestyle
7. Eating while watching TV
8. Eating while irritated
9. Eating before bedtime or at night
10. Eating mostly refined and cooked food products.

Recognize some of them? Mr.Tombak, like Atkins and Agatston, also mentions eating too mach of carbohydrates. But he does not limit the cause of obesity to ONE SOURCE. Why? Because he applies COMMONSENSE. Because he puts GOOD HEALTH before GOOD LOOKS! Not good looks at all cost! Here is how he proposes to lose weight:

1. Correct the alignment of lumbar vertebrae. (Have you ever heard of this one? He explains why.)
2. Gradually and systematically increase the amount of your physical activities. (Nothing new, isn't it?)
3. Combine food products correctly. (We hear often about this one, too)
4. Perform internal cleansing routines and go through regular fasts.

Yes, just periodical short fasts that will cleanse your body, and shake off your cravings. It is nothing new! It is a simple procedure applied by many people around the world throughout ages. Larry Clapp in his book "Prostate Health in 90 Days" advocates the same. None of these unnatural diets throughout your entire life!...

I did a few days of fasting myself, and I strongly recommend this over any kind of diet to anyone who cares about his looks, his health, and his longevity. Periodical fasting energizes; purifies your body and mind; makes it easier to change your eating habits and to get back to natural, fiber-rich foods.

Everybody has his own opinion, but for me Tombak makes much more sense then Atkins, Agatston and all other inventors of "perfect diets"...

Why four stars for "The South Beach Diet"? -- Because it works! But at what possible cost to your health? Be sensible, follow Tomabak's advice instead.