South Beach Wake-Up Call
The South Beach Wake-Up Call is the latest book from Dr. Arthur Agatston, creator of the South Beach Diet. He says that the fast-food sedentary lifestyle is slowly killing us and now is the time for us to transform our lives.
In this book Dr. Agatston introduces readers to a program that includes practical strategies and tools to help everyone eat better, reduce stress, and get in shape to make a complete health turnaround.
South Beach Wake-Up Call Basics
Dr. Agatston says that this book is intended to be a wake up call and he wants his readers to be alert educated and aware. He explains how the current epidemic of obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases is related to an excessive intake of fast and processed foods. He then outlines how we evolved to eat a diet that was very different, being based on fruits, vegetables, wild game and seafood.
The South Beach Wake-Up Program is based on seven strategies:
- Control the Clutter, Free Your Mind
- Make Every Meal Matter
- Shop Right
- Cook As If Your Life Depends on It
- Eat In More, Dine Out Smart
- Get Moving, Get Fit
- Sleep Better, Live Longer
The actual diet includes three phases. Dieters commence in phase one – which is the lowest in carbohydrates – and then move into phase two where foods such as fruits, whole-grain breads, brown rice, and sweet potatoes are gradually reintroduced.
Agatston asserts that the South Beach Diet is actually not a low carb diet, but instead is focused on the “right” carbs like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Processed carbohydrate foods like sodas, cakes, cookies, bread, white pasta, white potatoes, and low-fiber cereals are to be avoided.
Phase three is the maintenance phase, which is designed as a lifestyle approach to weight management that is followed once you have achieved your ideal weight. In phase two and phase three dieters are permitted to enjoy a glass of wine with meals. Phase three also allows for additional occasional indulgences including desserts.
Included in the South Beach Wake Up Call are thirty new South Beach Diet recipes featuring Agatston’s top “mega foods” for better health.
Recommended Foods
Vegetables, beans, lentils, sweet potato, fruit, avocado, lean beef, chicken breast, turkey bacon, salmon, shrimp, pork loin, veal, lamb, buffalo, seitan, soy burgers, tempeh, tofu, almonds, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, whole-grain bread, basmati rice, quinoa, soba noodles, soy milk, nonfat Greek yogurt, cheese, eggs, salsa, soy sauce, tomato paste, spices, dark chocolate, agave nectar, Splenda, coffee, tea, wine.
Sample Wake-Up Call Meal Plan
| Breakfast Cantaloupe wedge |
| Lunch Cobb salad (top chopped romaine with diced reduced-sodium deli chicken, crumbled turkey bacon, and chopped avocado, tomato, and red onion) with balsamic vinaigrette |
| Afternoon Snack Asparagus spears with ham |
| Dinner Stir-fried Garlic Shrimp with Bok Choy |
| Evening Snack Red pepper with spreadable reduced-fat cheese wedge |
Exercise Recommendations
The South Beach Wake Up Call introduces readers to research suggesting that a modest exercise program improves the structure and function in the brain of individuals in their mid-to-late sixties. Dr. Arthur Agatston states that exercise not only improves our memory, but also alleviates depression, enhances overall health, and protects us against chronic disease.
He recommends walking, callisthenic exercises and daily physical activities like taking the stairs and advises making a space in your home just for exercise so you don’t have to clear it every time you want to work out.
Costs and Expenses
The South Beach Wake-Up Call: Why America Is Still Getting Fatter and Sicker, Plus 7 Simple Strategies for Reversing Our Toxic Lifestyle retails at $27.99.
Click Here to purchase the book at a discounted price.
Pros
- Encourages the consumption of a wide variety of unprocessed foods.
- Promotes the intake of low glycemic carbohydrates.
- Addresses the importance of obtaining adequate sleep.
- Includes a seven-day meal plan and recipes.
- Offers advice on eating in restaurants.
- Encourages regular physical exercise.
- Provides information about the potentially negative effects of gluten.
Cons
- Requires a fair amount of time for meal planning and food preparation.
- Encourages the consumption of artificial sweeteners and processed soy products.
- Diet is fairly high in saturated fats.
- Vegetarian options are limited.
Conclusions
South Beach Wake-Up Call is an updated version of the South Beach Diet written to address the urgency of the current obesity epidemic. This program adheres to the same structure as the previous versions of the South Beach Diet but includes additional information about how gluten can negatively affect our health as well as introducing dieters to the top “mega foods” for better health.
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