The South Beach Diet allows you to eat in a healthy way without completely cutting out all your favorite food items. In the long run this makes it easier to stick with the South Beach Diet, and avoids the frustration of missing your favorite foods and bouncing from diet to diet.

The South Beach Diet works by changing the way you eat to include more healthy choices that will make you feel good and increase your energy levels. This diet focuses on good carbohydrates and fats, so you don't crave all those bad carbohydrates and fats, which work against you in attaining your diet goals and leave you hungry all the time.

The South Beach Diet is divided into three phases. The first is designed to help you change your diet to one that is filled with eating healthy lean types of meat, such as beef, lamb, pork, veal, chicken, fish, and seafood.

All meat should be broiled or baked, not fried, and should not be coated with breading or crumbs; this adds extra carbohydrates and calories that you are trying to avoid.

Plenty of vegetables, nuts, eggs, and low-fat or fat-free cheeses are also allowed so long as they are not coated with anything adding extra calories. Vegetables should be steamed and plain, no sauces or butter yet.

Phase one of The South Beach Diet is the most limited, and does not allow you to have breads or baked goods of any kind, rice, pastas, potatoes, fruit, candy, ice cream, sugar, or alcohol.

You can have sugar-free treats, but they should be limited to seventy-five calories per day. I know what you're thinking, but don't get discouraged! This part of the diet only lasts the first two weeks, and is designed to get your body used to only having good carbohydrates to jump start your weight loss and eradicate your cravings.

In phase two, you will slowly add back in sweet potatoes, wild or brown rice, whole grain breads and cereals, fresh fruits, and red or white wines. You should avoid such vegetables as carrots, beets, white potatoes, and corn because of their high sugar content, and also fruits like bananas, pineapples, raisins, and watermelon.

Some other foods that will slow down your weight loss efforts include cookies, cakes, sweet rolls, and ice cream. These should be kept to a bare minimum if you have them at all.

You need to stick to phase two until you reach your goal weight, then you will begin phase three of the maintenance phase. This is where you continue to practice the good eating habits you have learned and maintain your weight.

The South Beach Diet is heart healthy and is designed to teach dieters how to lose weight effectively and keep it off for life. No more yo-yo dieting!

Weight Tracker - You can type in your weight, chart your weight history, and get customized reports to help you stay on track.

Meal Plans - A complete meal schedule for every day, up to a week in advance. You can choose from regular, vegetarian, or quick meal plans.

Recipes - Hundreds of South Beach Diet approved recipes for you to choose from. Do a Recipe Search to find specific recipes and narrow them down by Phase. Save your favorites and swap with beach buddies!

Journal - You can record your progress and setbacks on the diet, and read the Journals of other dieters if they choose to make them public.

Message Boards - Thousands of dieters share tips, advice, and strategies in the Message Boards.

Online Registered Dietitians - Ask The South Beach Diet Online dietitians all your personal diet questions. They are online and on call - dedicated to addressing your concerns.

Beach Buddies - Find a dieting buddy for support and motivation as you lose weight together.

Success Stories - Stay motivated by reading the inspirational stories of other South Beach Dieters and seeing their before and after pictures.

Daily Dishes - Daily diet tips to keep you informed and help you make smart choices while on South Beach.

Ask Dr. Agatston - The creator of The South Beach Diet answers questions submitted by members, and you can also ask your own.

Food Guides - These help you decide what to eat on the diet, and include guides to healthy fast food choices and a South Beach-friendly dining out guide.

Shopping List - You can list all the ingredients in your meals for the week, remove the items you already have in your kitchen, and print out the list to take with you to the grocery store.

Favorite Recipes - Bookmark your favorite recipes so you can find them at a glance.

Foods to Enjoy and Avoid on Phase 1 and 2 - Handy lists of foods you can and can't have on the diet.

Support and Motivation - Common diet challenges and solutions, plus tips and quotes from South Beach Dieters to inspire you.

FAQs - The most commonly asked questions about the diet - answered all in one place.

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