The South Beach Diet borrows from other diets to put together a new healthier version of the low carb diet plan. It was founded by a cardiologist looking for a diet to help his heart patients live a healthier lifestyle. His book was released in 2003 and the diet remains popular with people who are struggling to lose weight.

The South Beach diet doesn't cut out whole food groups or ask you to starve yourself. You have to give up some foods but not all your favorite foods. You don’t eat at strange times of the day or are limited to snacking on carrots. The advantage to the South Beach diet foods is that it teaches people who foods work in the body and how to lose weight.  The South Beach diet uses the glycemic index to indicate the types of sugars and carbohydrates that are acceptable. Foods with a lower glycemic index have a slower release of energy and keep you feeling fuller for a longer period of time.