THE SOUTH BEACH WAKE-UP CALL Why America Is Still Getting Fatter and Sicker, Plus 7 Simple Strategies for Reversing Our Toxic Lifestyle

The cardiologist who created the South Beach diet expands his three-stage weight-loss plan to include lifestyle recommendations. Good food choices, he says, occur in a context, so pay attention to how you prepare food, eat it, and store it in your kitchen. The information about food types and their effect on our health is comprehensive and accessible, as is the broader advice on exercising, minimizing clutter, sleeping restfully, and relaxing with other people. Stephen Hoye’s steady handling of this encyclopedic guide makes it easy to understand and absorb. Some listeners will detect a condescending edge to his dignified narrating style, but the tone is not out of character for prescriptive writing by a highly educated physician. These are valuable ideas for those wanting to revamp their eating and lifestyle choices. T.W. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2012]