The South Beach Diet, by Miami cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston, is intended for quick weight loss, but it is really based on permanently changing the way we eat. The diet's initial phase, which lasts two weeks, is a detox mode, emphasizing the total avoidance of certain foods, including potatoes and sugar. Dr. Agatston guides the dieter through this period with encouraging and useful information, providing help with cravings and stressing healthy alternatives. The second phase returns some foods to the diet, while still controlling portions. The third phase is a maintenance plan designed to keep off the weight that's been lost, and to keep the dieter on a sensible practice that will lead to lifelong health and fitness. The South Beach Diet promotes the awareness of "good" fats and "good" carbs based on the glycemic index, and includes recipes, exercise tips, and a wealth of useful information on healthy living in general.