In case you’ve been in a cave, counting calories is out, counting carbs is in. The old food pyramid, based on a diet heavy in carbohydrates has left America the heftiest nation on the planet. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 64% of Americans are either overweight or obese. No wonder we are looking for new ways to slim down. And according to a poll by the Opinion Dynamics Corporation, one of the ways to slim down is to cut carbohydrates, or go “low-carb.” Currently, about 95 million Americans limit their carbohydrate intake.

Basically low-carb diets ban or severely restrict white foods: white sugar, white flour, and other comforting whites like potatoes and pasta. Fruits and vegetables high in natural sugars are also no-nos. The reason: complex carbohydrates break down easily in the body, causing more dramatic fluctuations in blood sugar and insulin, which contributes to cravings, hunger, and weight gain.

But what about some of the various low-carb approaches you may be hearing about? By the end of 2004, there will be nearly 200 different low-carb diet books and diets to pick from. How can you know which one will work best for you? No need to work up a sweat toting all those tomes! Here’s your quick guide to the most popular low-carb diets, with an extra focus of information that may be of interest to thyroid patients.