Table 1.

Nutritional patterns based on macronutrient composition

Type of diet	Popular diets*	Carbohydrates, % kcal	Protein, % kcal	Fat, % kcal
Low carbohydrate	Atkins, South Beach, Zone	≤40	Approximately 30	30-55
Moderate macronutrients	Biggest Loser, DASH, Jenny Craig, Mediterranean, Portfolio, Slimming World, Volumetrics, Weight Watchers	Approximately 55-60	Approximately 15	21-≤30
Low fat	Ornish, Rosemary Conley†	Approximately 60	Approximately 10-15	≤20

1 kcal=4.18 kJ.

^*A paleolithic diet was reported in two randomised controlled trials (Lindeberg 2007 and Mellberg 2014; appendix table S2), we categorised Lindeberg 2007 as moderate macronutrient based on energy intake (40.2±8.3% carbohydrate, 27.9±6.8% protein, 26.9±6.4% fat). Mellberg, 2014 was categorised as low carbohydrate (30% carbohydrate, 30% protein, 40% fat).

^†We categorised Rosemary Conley diet (Truby 2006) as moderate macronutrient (42% carbohydrate, 16% protein, 37% fat).