I would post on the SBD boards here. Most of the posts I have read say don't bother to buy the book. You can find all the info you need online, plus there have been many revisions I guess since the book came out. Here is a link to get you started. http://www.mizfrogspad.com/south_beach_diet.htm It should have just about everything you need to get started if that's the route you choose to go. In the end the diets (atkins v/s sbd) are basically the same. Atkins just is a faster weight loss I think but sometimes you just have to do what will fit into your daily life. It's not a one size fits all world.

Goodluck!

Jenn