The Promise

Cookbook editor and writer Fran McCullough struggled for many years to lose weight, and she's shared her solution: a low-carb diet.

In her book, Living Low-Carb, McCullough sums up low-carb diet plans, from Atkins to Paleo, and explains how each can help you lose weight. She also includes a collection of recipes to make low-carb living easier.

To help you avoid typical dieting pitfalls, the book includes how-tos for traveling, and tips to make weekly grocery shopping easier. You'll also find success stories from other low-carb dieters.

Level of Effort: Medium to high

Following McCulloughs recipes and suggestions will make it easier to stick to a low-carb way of eating, but you will still need to count carbs and protein.

Limitations: If you don't want to give up every slice of white toast or baked potato, youll struggle with this approach. McCullough admits it's not for everyone. Anyone with kidney damage shouldn't do this diet, since eating too much protein can overwork the kidneys.

Cooking and shopping:Living Low-Carb has tips to help you navigate the supermarket, and 175 recipes for meal planning.

Packaged foods or meals: No.

In-person meetings: No.

Exercise: Recommended.

Does It Allow for Dietary Restrictions or Preferences?

Vegetarians and vegans: The diet is already restrictive, so vegetarians, and especially vegans, will need to make an extra effort to find enough foods to eat because fruits, vegetables, and grains are all generally high in carbohydrates.

Gluten-free: Going low-carb isn't necessarily the same as going gluten-free. You would need to read food labels to look for possible sources of gluten.

What Else You Should Know

Cost: None apart from your food.

Support: You do this diet on your own.

Side effects: A low carb diet may have side effects which include:

Headache

Bad breath

Weakness

Fatigue

Constipation or diarrhea

Does It Work?

Yes, both low-carb and low-fat diets have been shown to be effective at weight loss.

Studies have shown that diets that are higher in protein can make you feel fuller.

Is It Good for Certain Conditions?

It can work for anyone, but if you have high blood pressure or diabetes, ask your doctor how well your kidneys are working. A diet that is high in protein may dangerous for you.

Also talk to your doctor if you take diuretics ("water pills"). Any high-protein diet can lead to an increase in ketones or ketosis and a well-known side-effect, bad breath. It can also spark a flare-up of gout.