The South Beach Diet Quick and Easy Cookbook: 200 Delicious Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes or Less

Comments

1. bookfan2004 says:

   August 2, 2010 at 7:24 pm

   I’m a busy working mom and being able to prepare a nutrient-rich meal — that my family will actually eat — in under 30 minutes is fantastic. The turkey and white bean chili (page 196)is their favorite so far. My husband, my teenager and I, all watch our weight and this cookbook is fast becoming our favorite tool in helping us add whole grains, lean sources of protein, and more vegetables to our meal plans. The Pork Fajitas (page 210) and the Rosemary Pork Medallions with Chunky Applesauce (page 211) or the South Beach Macaroni and Cheese (page 249) are perfect comfort food for this cooler weather. I love Dr. Agatston’s sensible approach to nutrition and his philosphy that if we’re satiated and satisfied by nutrient dense, fiber rich foods, we’ll lose weight and have healthier hearts and blood chemistry.
   Rating: 5 / 5

2. Suzan Plummer says:

   August 2, 2010 at 7:51 pm

   I have every one of the South Beach Books. Phase 1 third day of the 2nd week is the hardest to get through. Your body has rid itself of those high glycemic foods, so you crave and want to eat some bread or other processed white flour food item.
   
   I have done every and I mean every diet out there (Atkins, Weight Watchers,Soup diet,Slim for Life, Slim Fast, American Heart Assoc. I also took Redux to lose weight which has caused me some heart trouble. Everytime any of the above was done I would loose then fall off the diet and gain what I lost plus an additional 20+ lbs. This was the only one which made since for me and has allowed me to have that cookie, french fry, or brownie once in a while and still keep on the diet.

   I enjoy this cookbook more as it is simple. The first cookbook was too in depth. More for chefs to cook with vs a working person. I hate having to be in the kitchen cooking for hours even when I was not dieting. Very simple recipes that allow short prep times. The fewer the ingredients the better for me. Best part helps with the making of a grocery list and tells you which foods to always keep on hand, so when you need to fix a fast meal you have everything.

   The South Beach Diet book is a must and you need to read through it. I skipped over the stories after a couple and went to the heart of what Dr. Agatston states about his diet (Not really a diet for me, just a guide to great healthy eating). Do highlight,write in the margins and use post it notes as you read the first book. This diet(guide to healthy eating) is about making your body work to process the foods which you eat instead of eating processed/high glycemic foods which your body doesn’t have to work much to process. He even gives you a list of acceptable foods to eat in Phase 1. I leave this on my refrigerator even now, to remind myself that even though I am not in Phase 1 I still eat those foods which are best during Phase 1.
   
   What I took from his books: Eat to live with the right vegetables, dairy products,proteins and fruits.

   Rating: 5 / 5

3. H. Ward says:

   August 2, 2010 at 9:10 pm

   Definitely get this cookbook if you’re following/thinking about following the South Beach Diet, or even if you just want to eat healthier.
   
   All recipes (except a few) take 30 minutes or less to both prepare and cook (shortcuts are also listed in lots of recipes, as in “you can use a frozen bag of broccoli here to save time”), and there are literally dozens of them that sound delicious to my boyfriend even, a hamburger and fries kind of guy. Nothing is too gourmet to be a good weeknight meal.
   
   Remember the “Stocking the South Beach Diet Kitchen” guide in the regular cookbook? It’s much expanded here, with a short paragraph for each item, telling you what to look for at the store, what the item is good for, etc. Very helpful!
   
   There’s also pages of meal and snack ideas that don’t require a recipe. These are really simple ideas or tips for throwing together something quick. For instance, “take a whole wheat tortilla, slather spaghetti sauce and cheese on it, and broil it until done.” No, that’s not exactly what was written, but it gives you an idea.
   
   This will be my main cookbook on the South Beach Diet, and it’s much MUCH more accessible for people like me who want a good, healthy meal, but don’t want to spend an hour or two putting it together.
   Rating: 5 / 5

4. Christina Kay says:

   August 2, 2010 at 11:11 pm

   My husband and I fell into a rut of pizza, take-out, and convenience foods because (we thought) our busy lifestyles kept us from eating healthy foods. Last month, we decided to begin the South Beach Diet, and I purchased this book with the hope of finding simple, nutritious recipes.

   The South Beach Diet Quick and Easy cookbook provides simple, quick recipes with ingredients that are easy to find in a typical grocery store. In the beginning of the book, Dr. Agatston provides the reader with a complete glossary of ingredients, a list of quick meal ideas, food safety tips, and a list of 10 essential kitchen tools. The recipes are categorized into breakfast, soups, snacks, salads, seafood, poultry, meat, vegetarian, side dishes, and desserts. Recipes are color-coded for Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the South Beach Diet.

   I wasn’t sure what to expect, since I had heard the stereotypical complaints of health food being dry, boring, and tasteless. I was pleasantly surprised! The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook provides wonderful recipes drawing from many different styles of cuisine, and has added some much-needed variety to our diet. A few of our favorites are the Almond Energy Blast, Chicken and Mushroom Soup, Turkey Parmesan, Baked Pesto Chicken, and Grilled Ancho-Rubbed Flank Steak. My husband has raved about many of the selections, indicating that they’re some of the best dinners he’s ever tried. The tasty food we’ve been eating gives us great incentive to stick with this program.
   Rating: 5 / 5

5. TDPM says:

   August 3, 2010 at 12:31 am

   The food in this cookbook is amazing… it tastes so good it’s hard to believe it is healthy. I have never considered myself a good cook, but since using this book I actually enjoy eating my own meals. And I have had several houseguests who were very impressed by the dishes I’ve made. After the first few days using the cookbook in Phase 1, I assumed I must have gained weight. I seemed to be eating all the time and I always felt full… then I stepped on a scale and was shocked to see that I had lost 8 lbs!!! And I was not fat to begin with! Wow!

   The food this book requires can be a little more expensive than you’re used to. It requires a lot of fresh seafood, meats, and vegetables. However, eating healthy is worth a few extra dollars per week, in my opinion. And now that I like cooking, I’ll dine out less. Also, many of the ingredients are redundant so you’ll only have to buy them the first time around. (Dark Sesame Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Spices, etc.)

   I find that it takes me a little longer than 30 min to make many of the recipes, especially when I am making more than one dish at a time (main dish + side). However, this is probably because I am not good with the knife and multi-task cooking is hard for me. I think once I get used to the recipes and more capable in the kitchen, the time will decrease drastically. And in general, it’s still only 5-10 min or so longer than what the recipe suggests.

   This cookbook is fabulous! I have lost weight eating food that I prepare myself that tastest great! What more could you ask for?

   Try: Balsamic Salmon with Green Bean Salad, Shrimp Scampi with Stuffed Tomatoes, Aspargus Soup, and Pork Satay with Chinese Broccoli. Yum!
   Rating: 5 / 5