South Beach Diet adopts a 'Keto' emphasis

(FOX 2) - When it comes to the diet scene, you're probably heard the word "Keto" pop up here and there. 

The controversial way of eating seems like it's not going anywhere anytime soon; the already popular South Beach Diet has now added a Keto friendly program.  

The South Beach Diet book has been around since the early 2000s. It was created by cardiologist Arthur Agatson, who has been a long-time fan of a high protein, low carb, low sugar weight loss program. 

"We went beyond just low fat versus low carb, to the right fats, the healthy fats, the healthy carbs. And that's still our principles," Dr. Agatson explained. 

Now the South Beach is adding a Keto emphasis, which means meals with protein, non-starchy veggies and healthy fats. The idea is your body burns its own fat because it doesn’t have any carbs for energy. 

But many say, like fitness guru Jillian Michaels for one example, that without carbs you're depriving your body. 

"As a cardiologist, I'm really tired of watching the country get more fat, more diabetic, more cancer, more Alzheimer's - sicker - on the low fat, high carb diet," he responded to that argument.

Not everyone agrees with Dr. Agatson. U.S. News and World Report ranked Keto nearly last in their evaluation of 41 of the best diets overall. 

Some say it's too strict, hard to follow and that too much fat isn't good for you. But this cardiologist says don't demonize fat. In fact, when it comes to dairy: don't do low-fat.  

"It's absolutely clear: studies where they limit dairy, limit saturated fats, you actually have less diabetes, better weight loss, less heart attacks, when you have full fat dairy," he said. 

U.S. News and World Report has looked at many diets and evaluated them. You can check out their report here. 
https://health.usnews.com/best-diet/best-diets-overall

For more information on South Beach Diet Keto-Friendly, visit www.southbeachdiet.com.