A low-carb diet limits consumption of breads, grains, sugars, starchy vegetables and fruits to only 25 to 39 percent of daily calories. Very low-carbohydrate diets prescribe even lower amounts, notes Every Diet. Because they restrict carbohydrates, low carb diets automatically contain more protein and fat. Health organizations like the American Heart Association warn against low-carb, high-protein diets because they can lead to an overconsumption of saturated fat.
Atkins
The well-known Atkins plan was first written by Dr. Robert Atkins in the 1970s and experienced popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2010, the program was released as "The New Atkins for a New You." A March 2007 study in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" showed that after 12 months, an Atkins diet resulted in more weight loss and had no negative impact on metabolic profiles.
The Atkins Diet consists of four different phases, each of which permits different levels of carbohydrate intake. The most restrictive Phase 1 calls for just 20g of carbs per day--about the amount in one banana. During the next phases, you add in small amounts of carbohydrates to find an appropriate maintenance level, or Phase 4. "New Atkins for a New You" answers critics of the original Atkins plan by emphasizing healthy, lean proteins and unsaturated fats, physical activity and balanced nutrition.
Sugar Busters!
The "Sugar Busters!" diet plan is a best-selling book authored by three physicians first published in 1995. The diet maintains that sugar is the cause of America's obesity epidemic and advocates cutting all sugary carbohydrates out of your diet. Along with obvious sources of sugar, like corn syrup, molasses, honey, soda and baked goods, the diet also forbids white rice, refined flour, potatoes, starchy vegetables and many fruits. Every Diet says the diet averages about 30 percent protein, 40 percent fat and 30 percent carbs. Brown rice, oats and sweet potatoes are permitted in small amounts, as are high-fiber vegetables and a few fruits. The diet is very low in calories, which is likely the reason it results in weight loss for most people.
The Carbohydrate Addicts
Rachel Heller MD, and Richard Heller MD wrote the successful diet book "The Carbohydrate Addicts Diet" in 1993. The premise of the diet is that people are addicted to carbohydrates and breaking this addiction can result in weight loss. Overweight people suffer from an imbalance of insulin levels resulting from the failure to properly metabolize carbohydrates, resulting in constant cravings and overconsumption of high-calorie, refined-flour foods. The book lists specific foods that are allowed, and all other foods should be avoided. The diet advocates three meals daily. Two of these meals involve protein and high-fiber vegetables. The third meal balances 30 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 percent non-starchy vegetables. The first two weeks of the plan is especially restrictive, but it does allow for a more flexible plan in later weeks.
