Finding the will to lose those few extra pounds can be easy for some, but the dizzying myriad of diet regimens can make even the most resolute dieter second guess themselves. Fortunately, many diet programs today are more scientific than in the past. If you've ever wondered the difference between some of the most popular diets today, here are five choices with similar weight-loss claims and health benefits.

No matter which you choose to follow, you'll be happier and healthier for the effort! As always, check with your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise program.

Dukan's Princess Diet
Invented over 30 years ago by French physician Pierre Dukan, the Dukan Diet didn't gain popular attention until 2000 when Dr. Dukan explained the principles in his newly published book, which went to sell over ten million copies worldwide.

This protein-rich diet is based on a list of over 100 "allowed" foods and is administered in four phases, beginning with more rapid weight loss and ending in a lifelong maintenance phase. In the last phase dieters may eat whatever they like within a few guidelines: a protein-only day once per week, oat bran every day and "taking the stairs" at all times for exercise.

The Atkins Diet
Unlike Dukan, the protein-focused Atkins Diet allows fats and oils, and does not advocate regular consumption of oat bran. Created by Dr. Robert Atkins in 1972, this revolutionary diet was one of the first to suggest calorie counting was unimportant.

When carbohydrates are kept to a minimum, the body begins to metabolize existing body fat rather than glucose. This process, called ketosis, occurs when insulin levels are at their lowest.

The Paleolithic Diet
The Paleo, or caveman, diet is based on what humans would likely have consumed during the Paleolithic era, which spans from roughly 2.5 million years to 10,000 years ago, prior to the development of agriculture. The contemporary version consists of eating fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fungi, some root vegetables, and nuts. The diet excludes grains, legumes, dairy, refined salt, refined sugar and any processed oils.

Drawing from the work of gastroenterologist Walter L. Voegtlin during the 1970's, Paleolithic nutrition presumes that human genetics have not changed much in the last 10,000 years and therefore the diet is genetically ideal.

South Beach Diet
When the low-fat diet fads of the 1980's started presenting dieters with health and weight management problems, cardiologist Arthur Agatston and dietician Marie Almon realized the diet they created to prevent heart disease had numerous side-benefits. Agatston was aware of low-carb diets such as the Atkins approach, but feared it would lead to an increased risk to patients who already had heart disease.

The South Beach Diet is relatively simple–replacing "bad carbs" and "bad fats" with "good carbs" and "good fats"–and carbohydrate sources are considered "good" only if they have a low glycemic index. Hunger cycles are triggered not by carbohydrates in general, but by quickly digestible carbohydrate-rich foods that create blood sugar spikes. The heavily refined sugars and grains making up much of the typical American diet are eliminated in favor of unprocessed foods such as vegetables, beans, and whole grains.

The Zone Diet
Developed by biochemist Dr. Barry Sears, the Zone Diet is based on his own research in cellular inflammation. A person is "in the zone" when insulin and glucagon levels are neither too high nor too low. At this point, anti-inflammatory chemicals are released in the body, which are beneficial to heart and overall health and weight management.

Sears recommends a "40:30:30" ratio of calories obtained daily from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, respectively; rather than strict calorie counting or carbohydrate restriction. The meal plan is simple to follow, as Dr. Sears explains, "Eat as much protein as the palm of your hand, as much non-starchy raw vegetables as you can stand for the vitamins, enough carbohydrates to maintain mental clarity because the brain runs on glucose, and enough monounsaturated oils to keep feelings of hunger away."

The Zone diet is less limiting in carbohydrate intake than the Atkins and Dukan diets. Sears maintains "low carb" diets miss the point of moderation and hormonal balance, as well as the influence of proper digestion and hormone production.

Remember, check with your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise program.