With more than a third of the U.S. population overweight, the importance of getting fit is critical. But with all the fad diets, exercise crazes and ever shifting ideals of perfection, it is difficult to know what the right path is for us. Because we do know that it is vital to approach diet and fitness from a healthful perspective, we've provided the straight facts on a range of popular diets. Read up and consult your doctor before choosing the diet that's right for you.

Atkins
The Atkins Diet is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate weight loss diet developed by Robert Atkins, M.D., during the 1960s. The Atkins Diet severely restricts the consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods and encourages the consumption of protein and fat. The diet is divided into four phases: Induction, Ongoing Weight Loss, Premaintenance, and Maintenance. During the Induction phase (the first 14 days of the diet), carbohydrate intake is limited to no more than 20 grams per day. No fruit, bread, grains, starchy vegetables, or dairy products (except cheese, cream, and butter) are allowed during this phase. During the Ongoing Weight Loss phase, dieters experiment with various levels of carbohydrate consumption until they determine the most liberal level of carbohydrate intake that allows them to continue to lose weight. Dieters are encouraged to maintain this level of carbohydrate intake until their weight loss goals are met. During the Premaintenance and Maintenance phases, dieters determine the level of carbohydrate consumption that allows them to maintain their weight. To prevent weight regain, dieters are told to maintain this level of carbohydrate consumption, perhaps for the rest of their lives. According to Dr. Atkins, most people must limit their carbohydrate intake to no more than 60 grams per day to keep lost weight off. Read more...

Low Fat
The most common reasons people lower the fat in their diet are for weight loss and the prevention and treatment of diseases, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes. The America diet provides an average of 34% of calories from fat, with 12% of these calories coming from saturated fat. However, the American Heart Association, The National Cancer Institute, and the American Dietetic Association recommend that only 20% to 30% of our daily caloric intake should come from fat, with 10% or less coming from saturated fat. The American Heart Association also recommends that we consume less than 300 mg or less of cholesterol per day; this equals a little more than the amount of cholesterol in one large egg. Read more...

Vegetarian
It is well documented that vegetarians are healthier than people who eat meat. In some cases, vegans have better health than lacto-ovo vegetarians. Although many vegetarians also exercise and avoid smoking, evidence indicates that their good health is largely due to diet. One study of 30,000 people in California compared vegetarians and meat eaters who, aside from their dietary differences, had very similar lifestyles and health practices. The vegetarians were less likely to be obese, or to have high blood pressure, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or colon cancer. They were also less likely to die from heart disease. In fact, the vegetarians were healthier even than people who ate meat only occasionally. Even when vegetarians were fatter than meat eaters, the vegetarians had lower cholesterol levels. Read more...

Macrobiotic
The earliest recorded usage of the term "macrobiotics" is found in the writings of Hippocrates. Translated literally, macro is the Greek word for "great" and bios is the word for "life." Macrobiotics is used by its practitioners as a tool that allows one to learn to live within the natural order of life. Throughout history, philosophers and physicians from many parts of the world have used this term to signify living in harmony with nature, eating a simple, balanced diet, and living to an active old age. Read more...

High Fiber
While the current American diet averages only about 10 grams of dietary fiber per day, intakes of 25 to 40 grams of fiber per day are linked to a reduced risk of developing a host of chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and gastrointestinal conditions. High-fiber diets have also been suggested to protect against obesity. Fiber falls into two general categories-water-soluble (found mostly in oats, fruit, and legumes) and water-insoluble (found mostly in grains and vegetables). As each type of fiber has different benefits, most people on high-fiber diets are generally advised to increase their intake of foods that feature both soluble and insoluble fiber. Read more...

All Other Diets