The low-carb diet craze began in 1972 when Dr. Robert Atkins first promoted his low-carbohydrate diet, the Atkins Nutritional Approach. By 2003, U.S. consumers were spending $15 billion a year on low-carb products. Although low-carb diets are experiencing a period of unprecedented popularity, MayoClinic.com warns that they can cause increased risk of heart disease, cancer, nutritional deficiencies, constipation and rebound weight gain.
Atkins Diet
Atkins is the most restrictive of the commercial low-carb diet plans, limiting carbohydrates to 20 g per day during the first of the diet's four phases, or less than 10 percent of the medically recommended 225 to 325 g of carbohydrates per day, according to MayoClinic.com. The diet allows carbohydrate intake to gradually increase as you lose weight and ultimately claims to help you discover your "Atkins carbohydrate equilibrium," or the amount of carbohydrates you can eat every day after you've reached your goal weight without continuing to gain or lose weight. In recent years, the diet has put increased emphasis on healthier protein sources and exercise.
Paleo Diet
The Paleo, or Paleolithic, diet refers to the Paleolithic Era, which dates from approximately 200,000 B.C. to 10,000 B.C., or the era right before humans developed agriculture. The diet theorizes that many of the health crises that man faces today are caused by the modern diet, which is defined as having too much fat, carbohydrates and salt, too many processed foods, the wrong kinds of protein, and too few fruits and vegetables. The diet recommends more exercise and a diet that resembles what humans were eating in the Paleolithic Era: lean meats, fruits, vegetables and nuts.
South Beach Diet
The South Beach Diet allows carbohydrates to make up as much of 28 percent of your caloric intake, a relatively high number for a low-carb diet, causing some to call it a modified low-carb diet. The diet defines carbohydrates by their glycemic index and advises people to avoid foods with high glycemic indexes and consume those with low indexes, such as spinach, lettuce and celery. The South Beach Diet also encourages consuming healthy fats, whole grains, and colorful fruits and vegetables and avoiding saturated fats and trans fats.
Zone Diet
Although the Zone Diet is referred to as a low-carb diet, it actually calls for a diet consisting of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fat, making it one of the highest-carbohydrate "low-carb" diets. Zone diet promoters claim the precise balance of protein to carbohydrates that it advocates balances the body's insulin-to-glucagon ratio, which ultimately lowers disease rates, enhances immune function, improves physical and mental performance, promotes weight loss and increases longevity. In terms of carbohydrate consumption, it limits grains and starchy vegetables.
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