The South Beach Heart Program
The Basics
The South Beach Heart Program was developed by Arthur Agatson, MD, author of the popular South Beach Diet book series. The program consists of four steps:
- Heart-healthy eating according to South Beach diet principles
- Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, and core-strengthening exercise
- Diagnostic testing including both routine blood pressure and blood lipid measurements, as well as newer tests such as blood lipoprotein subfractions, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and heart scanning to detect atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries supplying the heart
- Using medications and supplements as necessary to reduce heart disease risk factors
Best bets: Emphasize low-glycemic-index carbs like whole grains, salad vegetables, and fruits like pears and apples. Choose healthy monounsaturated fats instead of disease-promoting saturated fats. Look for South Beach diet products and see our Low-Glycemic-Index Diet article for more information.