The Skinny On Low Carbs

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Serving size: One slice

*Net carbs, which do not include fiber and other carbohydrates that don't affect insulin levels

DIETS How They Differ

--Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution

The pioneering low-carb regimen created by the late Dr. Robert Atkins begins with a two-week induction period that limits dieters to 20 grams of net carbs a day, ideally via two cups of salad and one cup of nonstarchy vegetables. The low-carb intake leads to KETOSIS, in which the body burns fat for energy. Successive phases of the meaty diet gradually add more carbs--nuts, berries and veggies--as weight loss slows.

--The South Beach Diet

Instead of counting carbs, Dr. Arthur Agatston focuses on the GLYCEMIC INDEX, or how much a particular food raises your blood sugar. Rapid spikes can make you hungrier faster and therefore lead to overeating. South Beach's induction phase is similar to Atkins', but then it allows more fruits and veggies as well as whole-grain breads and pasta.

--Protein Power

Drs. Michael and Mary Eades have devised an insulin-management plan that resembles THE ZONE in some ways and bases protein minimums and carbohydrate maximums on your body composition and activity level.

--The Schwarzbein Principle

Because stress hormones play an important role in controlling food cravings, Dr. Diana Schwarzbein emphasizes the need for STRESS MANAGEMENT as well as metabolic healing. As in "Protein Power," her diet plan tailors carb intake to your body type and activity level and also includes options for vegetarians.

--The Fat Flush Plan

Nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman zeroes in on "FALSE FAT," water retention triggered either by dehydration (ah, the irony) or by common allergies or sensitivities to a trio of sin foods (wheat, dairy and sugar). Her fat-flushing, "liver-loving" low-carb diet calls for drinking eight glasses of cranberry water a day to deter water retention and help clean up cellulite, plus a glass of hot water with fresh lemon juice to aid fat metabolism and stall carbohydrate digestion.

--Neanderthin

Ray Audette's CAVEMAN DIET doesn't involve carb or calorie counting or any peculiar formulas but instead urges wannabe Paleolithic dieters to ask one simple question: Could I eat this if I were naked with a sharp stick on the savanna? That guiding principle rules out grains, beans, potatoes, dairy, sugar and virtually all processed foods. --By Julie Rawe