There are countless diet types that have been discussed or recommended over the years. Some of the more well known are:

Atkins     Sonoma      Zone      Mediterranean     Vegan

 

 
     Negative Calorie     Vegetarian     Blood Type

    These, along with others, could keep you going around in circles so let's focus on what can be agreed upon. There are six basic nutrients necessary to good health – Carbohydrates, Fat, Protein, Vitamins, Minerals and Water. The first three can be transformed by the body (to calories) for energy. 1 gram of carbohydrate or 1 gram of protein equals 4 grams of calories. 1 gram of fat equals 9 grams of calories.

    The easiest nutrients for the body to use as energy are carbs which convert to sugar (glucose) during digestion and are released into the bloodstream. Excess sugars are stored as fat. There are two kinds of carbohydrate, simple and complex.. Simple carbohydrates break down quickly and flood the bloodstream with sugar. The body responds with an overproduction of insulin designed to regulate the blood sugar level. It does this by quickly converting the sugar to fat. Complex carbohydrates break down much more slowly giving you sustained energy and avoiding the insulin response.

    Carbs are classified as simple or complex by their placement in the Glycemic index. The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrates on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with a high GI are those which are rapidly digested, absorbed and result in marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low-GI foods, by virtue of their slow digestion and absorption, produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, and have proven benefits for health. Typically, processed sugars and starches are not only high GI, but have little or no nutritional value and should be avoided. Perhaps more important than the quantity of carbs you consume is the quality. Best bet; get most of your carbs from fresh fruits and vegetables.