Anyone who's followed a special diet knows it's not easy. Whether it's low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-sugar or gluten-free, resisting temptation and maintaining variety can be frustrating. Luckily, there are countless resources devoted to special diets, including many that offer flavorful, easy-to-prepare recipes.

Low-fat diets

Cyberdiet offers a wealth of health information, including an explanation of the relationship between a healthy diet and diabetes, depression and your heart. Trying to improve your kids' diet? The site's Fast Food Challenge helps families make more nutritious drive-through decisions.

Low-sugar diets

Adhering to a low- or no-sugar diet is tough for adults, but even more difficult for children. The Food and Diet page of the Children with Diabetes site offers information on carbohydrate counting and tips for holidays and special occasions. The Favorite Recipes page offers sugar-free recipes for many favorites, including sweet toppings like chocolate sauce and maple-flavored syrup.

Jeanine's Sugar-Free Recipes provides "no sugar added" creations (some contain natural fruit sugars) for beverages, breakfast foods and desserts.




Low-carbohydrate diets

One resource for finding out more about low-carbohydrate diets is the online magazine Low-Carb Living.

Popular low-carb diets include the Atkins Diet, Zone Diet, Carbohydrate Addict's Diet (CAD) and Sugarbusters. The Official site for Dr. Atkins explains the diet's philosophy, while ZonePerfect.com outlines a similar program developed by Dr. Barry Sears. The Carbohydrate Addict's Network also has an online homes.

Food allergies

The Gluten-Free Page provides resources for those with Celiac disease and anyone unable to digest gluten, a mixture of complex protein found in the grain of wheat, barley and rye. Similarly, The No Milk Page provides a list of relevant links for those who suffer from lactose intolerance. Finally, The Food Allergy Network includes a frequently asked questions section and recipes of the month.

Other Resources

• Meals for You
  This comprehensive recipe site includes complete meal plans and individual recipes by categories, which include vegetarian, diabetic, kosher, low-carbohydrate and low-fat options. You can also search for recipes based on ingredients.
  
  
• Nancy's Kitchen
  An extensive collection of simple recipes, including many special diet links.