Ultimately, its gonna come down to trial and error. But I know from experience that when a bodybuilder diets, its generally more effective to diet WITH carbohydrates. Our workouts are fueled by carbohydrates and when we dont provide our body with the fuel it prefers it will MAKE the fuel it prefers (glucose) through gluconeogenesis. However, this triggers a number of hormonal and metabolic responses that are not favorable over the long haul. Cellular metabolism is driven by glucose and thats why we say that fat is burned in the fire of carbohydrates. If metabolism is healthy and vibrant we burn more fat for fuel. And because our bodies are adapted to spare glycogen for our intense training we tend to burn more fat for fuel during our normal day to day activities. This isnt to say that low carb doesnt work, its just not optimal for an athlete.
So what kind of diet should you do? Well, a diet that is lower in calories than you burn
. A reduction in bodyfat comes from a net loss of fat over days, weeks, months, etc in a calorie deficit. My generic template I often suggest to someone just starting out is a 500-1000 calorie per day deficit broken down into moderate protein, moderate carb and moderate/low fat. I usually suggest 1.25g per pound of LEAN MASS for protein (so if you are 255 lbs and 20% BF, thats equivalent to 250g protein). I also recommend 20% of total calories from fat and then fill the rest of your diet with carbs. But like I said it will take some playing around.....some trial and error to find out where your calories should be for the fat loss you desire. My GUESS at 200 lbs of lean mass your maintenance has to be in the 3000-3500 cal ball park? So a 500 cal deficit would look something like 250 protein, 300-350 carb and 75g of fat. If thats causes too much weight loss, up the carbs or vice versa...if not enough, drop the carbs down. But I believe these ratios will keep your metabolism stoked and the fat melting off once the calorie level is dialed in. Of course, this is going to require you to weigh, track and measure.....so you gotta WANT it.