Fad diets come and go, but The Atkins Diet-- a high-protein, low-carbohydrate weight-loss plan --seems never to go ... day of only meat and fat at every meal can get tiresome," says Anderson.

Atkins 20 (the original diet, which is described here and is based on an intake of 20 grams of Net Carbs) and the new Atkins 40, which is less strict (based on an intake of 40 grams of Net Carbs).

Of all the fad diets, the Atkins diet is arguably the best known and has stood the test of time. Experts concede that it can be an effective weight loss plan, but it remains controversial ...