CLEVELAND -- A lot of people are trying a new diet called the South Beach diet.

NewsChannel5 reported that the South Beach diet may help you shed those pounds.

"It's like any time I get together with my girlfriends, it's all we talk about now," said Maria Bailie. "It used to be men, now it's always diets."

Cindy Moore, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic, is a fan of the plan that has three phases.

"The South Beach diet really combines the best of a low-carb diet as well as the best from the science based more conventional approaches," she said.

It begins with two weeks of Atkins-type eating, hardly any carbohydrates are consumed, just a lot of lean protein. During this time, no rice, pasta or candy are allowed. Alcohol also isn't allowed.

The founder, Dr. Arthur Agatson, of the diet said most people lose 8 to 14 pounds after two weeks.

At that time, all foods are allowed back in the diet.

Moore said that is why she likes the South Beach diet better than the Atkins diet.

During the second phase, complex carbohydrates can be consumed, such as brown rice and whole-grain breads.

The third phase is maintenance.