The South Beach Diet Borrowed its principles from the Atkins diet.  The basic principle is that the foods of the South Beach Diet causes  the dieter insulin resistance and that causes the appetite to be more controllable. The reduction of carbs that turns to sugar in the body is reduced so that the person can lose weight because of a reduced appetite.  ---This is a correct concept. The original purpose of the South Beach Diet was to prevent heart disease with the reduction of cholesterol which is a common cause for the ailment. The South Beach Diet designed by a cardiologist and a dietitian began in the 1980's and quickly became a popular weight loss product in super market chains and health foods store in the 2000's. The dietitian speculated that the people on the South Beach Diet was not eating less of the low fat food but compensating for the fat by eating more carbs. In an effort to reduce the levels of sugars found in carbohydrates, the dietitian borrowed principles and concepts from the then also famous Atkins Diet (and Atkins borrowed his ideas from Page's Phase II diet).  The South Beach Diet borrowed from the low carbs principles of the Atkins Diet and came up with products that reduced the cholesterol levels to prevent heart disease and replaced bad carbs and bad fat to good carbs and good fat.-----The problem here is that the doctor is still confused about the concept of saturated fats and the connection to heart disease.  He is correct about the connect with insulin and heart disease, thus this diet does help reduce your risk because you are reducing carbs.  Page's phase II diet is a much better option. The South Beach Diet is rich in vegetables, whole grains and beans.  The heavily laden Western diet of refined sugars and high carbohydrate spikes the blood sugars and is not a good part of a healthy diet. The Western diet in contrast to the South Beach Diet increases the appetite without a feeling of fulfillment and is not a good part of a weight loss plan. The South Beach Diet eliminated carbohydrate sources in favor of fiber rich and natural foods such as vegetables. The South Beach Diet eliminates trans fat and saturated fats found in fried foods. The South Beach Diet provides weight loss food products that are rich in lean meats and fish.  ---The problem here is this diet does not address the chemicals in the diet.  He recommends artificial sugar, and products with chemicals which creates a host of other problems of toxicity and poor health.  My recommnedation is to follow the Page's Phase II diet.