A recent low-carb search on amazon turned up 91 books that didn't even include all the low or moderate carb plans. Use this guide to help you determine what works best for your lifestyle.

Extreme Low Carb Plans
Atkins lovers will go nuts if you tell them their diet is extreme but the reality is it's very extreme. 20g of carbs a day during the first 14 days. But this is nothing compared to Protein Power which goes as low as 7-10g of carbs a day during their induction phase. If you've had trouble with your weight and with carbs all your life these diets may be the best options for you because they are strict but the results are so dramatic you'll feel motivated to keep going. If you're dying to try either plan but don't think you can do it, check out the 7 Day Low-Carb Rescue & Recovery Plan. This diet starts you off by increasing your healthy carb intake then decreasing it to a bare minimum. A good option for those who need to be eased into this ultra low-carb eating lifestyle.


Smart Carb Plans
Diet Plans like South Beach, The Hampton's Diet, or The 4 Corners Diet, all acknowledge that it's not just about cutting carbs. These plans promote healthy fats, healthy carbs, and lean protein. They explain the importance of low glycemic foods and are realistic because they allow you to add back foods like grains and fruit in a shorter period of time. If you're looking for something that's going to help you lose weight, become healthier, while allowing you to eat your favorite foods, these are the ones to try. All the plans mentioned above are very results oriented and easy to follow. Other options include: Lose Weight The Smart Low Carb Way, The Schwarzbein Principle, The Carbohydrate Addicts Diet, The New High Protein Diet, and many others.


Balanced Carb Plans
The Zone, 40-30-30 Fat Burning Nutrtion, The 40-30-30 Phenomenon, and The Formula, are all versions of the same diet. The 40% carbs 30% protein 30% fat way of eating was made popular by Barry Sears and a multitude of movie stars and athletes. All the plans mentioned above are co-authored with Barry Sears but have a different emphasis. The most practical is The Formula which allows you to customize the diet based on your activity level and your preferences. This is a great feature for any diet and crucial for extremely active people who are looking for a moderate low carb solution. If you're going to give this complicated way of eating a try The Formula is your best guide.


Eat Like A Caveman Plans
Low carb extremists will argue that diets like The L.A. Shape Diet and The Warrior Diet are not low carb. But these plans are about as low carb and healthy as they come. They eliminate dairy and any type of processed products in favor of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. These plans promote a back to basics way of eating that is great for those who love fruits and veggies and can do without all the starchy carbs. They are also extremely popular with dancers, martial artists, and minimalists. Other great plans in this category include: The No Grain Diet, The Paloe, and The Origin Diet.


G.I. Diets
G.I. meaning glycemic index and not our troops in Iraq. Plans like The New Glucose Revolution, Good Carbs Bad Carbs, and The Insulin Resistance Diet allow you to eat all types of foods as long as they rank low on the glycemic index. South Beach and Sugar Busters also fall into this category. These plans are all about controlling your insulin response and getting your body back into fat burning mode. These are great for people who have been on one diet after another or for those who just can't seem to get results. They work especially well for people who exercise regularly.


Recommended Reading: Still can't decide what's best? Check out this guide written by Zone author Barry Sears and fitness expert Johnny Bowden. It's a great resource for choosing the best plan. It's not biased towards the zone either.