The South Beach Diet Cookbook [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

~ Dr. Arthur Agatston MD (Author) "Enjoying good food is a pleasure..." (more)
Key Phrases: cup sugar substitute, tablespoons sugar substitute, large nonstick skillet coated, South Beach Diet, Miami Beach, Vegetarian Entrées (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cardiologist Agatston (The South Beach Diet) follows up his blockbuster book on weight-loss with this volume of more than 200 recipes, a number of which are culled from the kitchens of chefs in Miami Beach and other cities. Each recipe is designated as Phase 1, 2 or 3 to help readers discern the segment of the diet for which they are appropriate. Carbohydrates are off-limits during Phase 1, but "good carbs" (like whole grains) are gradually reintroduced in Phase 2. Phase 3 segues into a less restrictive but still healthy eating regimen. Among the Phase 1 recipes are the simple Reuben Wrap (which calls for cabbage leaves instead of bread; the author notes readers "will have to have a 'rye' sense of humor for this"), as well as more complex main dishes such as Coconut Chicken and Sage and Rosemary Pork. Phase 2 and 3 eaters will find delicious options such as Sesame Baked Chicken, Crab Royale and Couscous Salad. Noting that a variety of foods and recipes combats the repetition and boredom that are many dieters' downfall, Agatston presents a wide array of choices, with plenty of enticing fish and vegetarian dishes. He also includes breakfasts, snacks and desserts, as well as ideas for home entertaining "South Beach-style" with a focus on fresh veggies, fat-free dips, shrimp and nuts for appetizers, and main dishes of grilled tuna or flank steak. Agatston leaves no stone unturned, even providing shopping lists and recipes for homemade condiments that forgo sugars.
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Product Description

The long-awaited cookbook is here!

Great food that's good for you--that's the foundation of the South Beach Diet and the reason millions of people around the world have adopted it as their lifelong eating plan, shedding unwanted pounds in the process. Created by leading Miami cardiologist Arthur Agatston, M.D., the diet emphasizes good fats and good carbohydrates, the kind that stave off cravings for unhealthy sugary food and promote long-term weight loss. It's not "diet" food--it's satisfying, flavorful dishes that are good for your health and your waistline.

Whether you're already a South Beach Diet success story or brand-new to the program, you'll find a wealth of inspiration in The South Beach Diet Cookbook to keep you on track without feeling deprived. The recipes are simple enough to make every day but delicious enough to serve on any occasion: Oatmeal Pancakes, Buttermilk Salmon Chowder, Caribbean Baked Chicken with Mango, Grilled Filet Mignon with Roasted Garlic Chipotle Pepper Chimichurri, Mexican Lasagna, Sage and Rosemary Pork, Red Snapper with Avocado Salsa, Thai Vegetable Stir-Fry, and Chocolate Pie with Crispy Peanut Butter Crust. Each recipe is marked "Phase 1," "Phase 2," or "Phase 3," so you'll know immediately where it falls in the diet; there are also 25 all-new recipes from the top chefs and restaurants in Miami. Illustrated with 50 full-color photographs and packed with extras like shopping lists and a pantry guide, The South Beach Diet Cookbook is an essential addition to your kitchen shelf.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 344 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; 1ST edition (April 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579549578
• ISBN-13: 978-1579549572
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (111 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,652 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

207 of 210 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF EASY TO MAKE, DELICIOUS, HEALTHY RECIPES, April 21, 2004

By	Shashank Tripathi (Gadabout) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

If you've read the South Beach Diet, it did include some preliminary recipe ideas, but they were few and far between. This follow-up cookbook is being marketed as if it were looking to dovetail on the popularity of its predecessor, but I believe if you have this, you don't even need the original.

The variety of recipes is fascinating, and the diet phase they correspond to in the original diet (which you can easily comprehend from this book alone) is clearly marked.

Mind you, this is not a "low carb" book. It is about lowering "bad" carbs while allowing "good" carbs. The South Beach idea veers around keeping the Glycemic Index low and Agatston does a pretty good job of explaining the nutritional logic for doing so.

The recipes that I have tried so far are quite good in terms of taste. The best thing for me is that none of the recipes includes any fancy condiments that you'd only find in some super-elite department stores on the other side of town. Very handy for a health-conscious bachelor.

Give it a try. Healthy *and* tasty recipes can't be a bad investment anyway!

173 of 179 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Pictures, April 15, 2004

By	Ron Atkins "Ron" (California) - See all my reviews

Okay, having read the basic bible to the South Beach Diet (ISBN: 1579546463), which I would recommend to you if you are interested in this cookbook, I wanted to try some of the meals Agatston referred to in his book.

The author divides the cookbook into the following sections: breakfast, snacks, soups, salads, side dishes, fish and poultry, meats, vegetarian, and desserts. Each section has approximately 20 recipes, that appear easy enough to prepare and follow the 40% protein, 30% carb, and 30% fat you would expect on a diet plan like this. Also, most of the recipes included carb counts, protein grams, etc. I noticed in the dessert section (my personal favorite of any cookbook) that the recipes employ yogurt, almonds, and fresh fruit extensively. Some sugar substitutes were noted, but not a lot.

The author also dedicates 8 pages of the book to summarizing the diet plan, a long chapter on shopping in accordance with the diet plan, and 5 pages of question and answer type stuff that addresses general questions relevant to the diet. Color photos were available for about 50% of the recipes, which is why I titled this review "Pretty Pictures." I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoyed and plans to use the SouthBeach Diet.

80 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Another Cookbook Suggestion, July 13, 2004

By A Customer

I really like South Beach by design. I have lost 40 pounds and love the fact it is a "healthy" low-carb alternative. It was great to see them (though not a suprise considering book sales) to come out with the cookbook. Overall the recipes I have made were good BUT

1) They use a lot of ingredients I don't - aspaagus for breakfast, expensive seafood like seabass, sole and lobster and interesting but umcommon vegetables like choyote squash and fava beans
2) They take a long time to make - and I am an accomplished cook
3) The desserts are too limited and so-so

The point is they worked hard to make pretty, chef like food so you feel you can eat well, but forgot how many of us love the basics - easy to follow recipes with easy to find ingredients for "regular" food.

I highly suggest Fantastic Food with Splenda - 160 Recipes Low in Sugar, Carbs, Fat and Calories. It is compatible with SB and I love the Chai Tea, the Breakfast Cheesecake Cups (high in protein), the Three Bean and Spinach Salads, Sweet and Sour Chicken and Barbequed Pork Tenderloin. Better yet the Frozen Peach Yogurt and Key Lime Pie will truly make you forget you are on a diet. I have suggested it to many friends and they are also hooked. Delicious everyday recipes that are healthy - that's dieting made easy.