Zone Diet

Creation of The Zone Diet - Entering the Zone

Is there, or has there ever been, The Perfect Diet? Well, that depends upon who you ask. One thing we know for certain, diets as they used to be are now passé as people have become more educated to the facts of healthy nutrition.

Several doctors have gotten into the weight loss stream by writing books and creating diets that are designed to be both healthy and effective weight-loss tools. One such individual is Barry Sears PhD, creator of The Zone Diet and author of the mega-seller diet book "Enter the Zone". He says that the Zone is a place where we find ourselves "feeling alert, refreshed, and full of energy".

What The Zone Diet is All About

The idea behind the Zone diet is a redesigning of the metabolism that happens through a diet that is 30% protein, 30% fat, and 40% carbohydrates. Dr. Sears maintains that the idea of a diet high in carbohydrates and low in both proteins and fats is wrong and unhealthy. A former scientist, he makes his case based on scientific theory and maintains that the Zone diet is a "metabolic state in which the body works at peak efficiency", and that state is established by eating a set ratio of carbohydrates, protein, and fat.

What The Zone Diet Consists Of

The diet itself consists of lean meats, fruits and vegetables. As a result, it is a diet that is low in saturated fats. The foods that are encouraged are fresh vegetables, leafy green vegetables, fruits, nuts, and lean meats (poultry, meat, and fish). Given today's economy, this could be a bit costly. The serving sizes are small, consisting of about 500 calories per meal and two snacks of about 100 calories each. The total caloric intake is under 2000 per day - which may or may not work for an individual. Water consumption is also critical in this diet, with a recommendation for at least eight glasses of water every day. There are no processed foods on the list based on the idea that such things were unknown to our ancestors.

How The Zone Diet Works

The 40-30-30 ratio is purposefully designed to control insulin levels in the blood. Insulin is the hormone responsible for processing the sugar levels in the body and converting that sugar into storable glycogen. If there are high levels of insulin in the blood, fat storage is increased. If fat storage is controlled through diet, which is what Dr. Sears asserts, then there is a direct benefit for people with high blood pressure and heart disease.

Gender, age, waist-hip ratio and height are all considerations for food blocks and diet alterations. Overall, this diet has received a cautious "thumbs-up" from a variety of nutrition experts.