Anyone following the South Beach diet plan will find diet guides an invaluable tool. Diet guides include ratings of fats and carbohydrates by portions, as well as including information on which products are recommended as part of the diet, and which are not. Many south beach diet plans contain concise introductions to the different food groups, along with helpful information about good fats, good carbohydrates, and omega-3s.

Many South Beach books include a table called the Transfat Hotlist, which tells you which bad foods to avoid while you're following the programme. You'll also find a comprehensive explanation of the glycaemic index and how it works. And you can read up on the latest scientific research into nutrition and healthy eating too. Another invaluable feature is a section giving advice on food-shopping and eating out, and how to do both while sticking to the South Beach guidelines. These books can be a very handy way to steer you through the practicalities of sticking to the programme, and reinforce the message that the South Beach plan is as much about healthy eating as it is about losing weight.

The South Beach plan's creator, Dr Arthur Agatston, offers advice on how to stock your food cupboard when you begin the programme. Remove foods from your cupboard that contain bad fats and carbohydrates, and instead stock your kitchen only with foods that are South Beach friendly. This is particularly important in phase one of the plan - the initial, strictest phase. Agatston provides a list of good foods that is extensive enough for you to be able to stock your cupboards according to your personal tastes - because it's much easier to stick to a plan that lets you eat foods you like.