Arthur Agatston - The South Beach Diet Dining Guide: Your Reference Guide to Restaurants Across America

Notice

This book is intended as a reference volume only, not as a medical manual. The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If you suspect that you have a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical help.

Mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities in this book does not imply endorsement by the publisher, nor does mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities imply that they endorse this book.

Internet addresses and telephone numbers given in this book were accurate at the time it went to press.

2005 by Arthur Agatston, MD

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

Book design by Carol Angstadt

ISBN 978-1-59486-360-8

eISBN 978-1-60529-448-3

A mericans spend $440 billion eating out at restaurants each year. And every day, one in four Americans eats fast food. These statistics are hardly surprising. We work hard. Were constantly on the go, whether its carpooling our kids from school to a sports match or traveling for business. But while dining out may provide a convenient, time-saving solution to a hectic lifestyle, it also presents a troubling scenario.

Today, according to the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 64 percent of American adults age 20 years or older are considered overweight or obese. The cause of this epidemic is too much processed, nutrient- and fiber-poor food. The fact is, while Americans are overfed, we are actually undernourished. This is true of American adults and especially true of our children. We are undernourished because we are not getting the vast array of nutrients found in the good carbs and the good fats that are essential for prevention of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases of Western society. We also need these nutrients for our optimal day-to-day functioning because we all feel better when we eat better.

The good news is that an increasing number of busy Americans do want to incorporate better nutrition into their everyday lives. Because educated consumers have been effectively expressing their desire for healthier foods, there is already a clear movement in the restaurant industry to accommodate healthy eaters. Recently McDonalds announced that it will print dietary information, including calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates, and sodium, on its food wrappers. Other chains are sure to follow. In addition, many fast-casual restaurants are now striving to provide healthier food choices, from grilled chicken and fresh steamed vegetables to whole-grain breads for take-out sandwiches. These are wonderful trends that I believe will continue as Americans become more aware of the principles of a healthy diet.

Its because eating out is such an integral part of American life that we decided to create The South Beach Diet Dining Guide. We wanted to make it easy for you as an individual or as a family to navigate this often complicated and challenging world, whether youre eating fast food or fancy food, whether youre waiting at the airport, enjoying a ballgame, or dining out for business. The truth is, there are almost always healthy choices to be made wherever you dineand certainly some pitfalls to be avoided. This book will teach you what they are so that you can maintain your South Beach Diet lifestyle and never feel deprived.

In this handy, pocket-size guide, weve included more than 75 chain and family restaurants, from Applebees to Whataburger, as well as 75 business-class restaurants in 15 of the most traveled cities from coast to coast. Our goal is to provide you with the information youll need to make the best possible choice of restaurantand then to make the best possible food choices at that restaurant. While we certainly dont recommend tacos, pizza, or hamburgers as South Beach Diet fare, we know that there will be times when eating this type of fast food is unavoidable. Therefore, weve given you what we think are the best choices in such chains. Weve also made an effort to list only those dishes that a South Beach dieter can eat along with the appropriate phase. If you dont see one of your favorite (seemingly healthy) menu items listed for a popular restaurant, its probably because we were surprised to discover that it contained hidden sugar, fat, or starch, and we decided not to include it in this book.

No matter where youre dining, I urge you to discuss the food preparation with your server. You may be able to have a particular menu item prepared without high-fat sauces, croutons, or dressings. In fact, while researching this book, we learned that P.F. Changs China Bistro will gladly stir-fry a dish in brothif you ask. And Burger King will serve a burger bunlessif you ask. Even in fancy restaurants, like those included in our Business Dining section, you shouldnt feel shy about making your South Beach Diet preferences known. We know from talking to these restaurants that they will be more than happy to accommodate you.

Clearly, consumer awareness about healthy eating has encouraged change in the restaurant industry. After years of confusion experienced not just by the public but also by health-care professionals, there is finally a consensus on the principles of healthy eating. We have moved beyond the low fat versus low carb debates and have come to agree that our focus should be on nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods, healthy sources of unsaturated fats, and lean sources of protein. We have also learned a great deal more about how important these guidelines are to our general health, not just to our waistlines. In fact, even if you have no weight to lose, you should still be following these recommendations.

As Ive said before, the challenge is in incorporating this knowledge into everyday life. The bottom line is that if we do not make better food choices, then our obesity rate will continue to increase as our health deteriorates and our medical-care costs skyrocket. With The South Beach Diet Dining Guide, we hope to advance our goal of changing the way America eats.

Arthur Agatston, MD

Y ou have a busy life. Chances are that work and family keep you on the go, and preparing home-cooked meals may be difficult because of time constraints. Finding a healthy lunch in the middle of a hectic day is often just as hard, and eating a good breakfast at home may be a rare event. In fact, if youre like most Americans, you purchase at least one meal a day at some sort of restaurant.

And thats just on an ordinary day. What about weekends, holidays, special occasions, travel days, business dinners, and all the other times youre away from your own kitchen? Does this mean putting your South Beach Diet on hold?

Not at all.

One of the best things about the South Beach Diet is that its easy to dine outand still eat wellwhile following the principles of the program. No matter what phase youre on, you can continue to lose weight and improve your health, whether youre grabbing a take-out order or enjoying dinner with family, friends, or business associates at a fine restaurant.