What is the Zone Diet?

Dr. Barry Sears, a former researcher at MIT, originally developed the Zone Diet.

The Zone Diet is based on maintaining insulin levels by striking a balance between carbohydrates and proteins at each mealBarry Sears contends that most diets currently recommended are high in carbohydrates and low in fats. Sears argues that this is a combination that contributes to the production of too much insulin. And, according to Barry Sears, the major cause of obesity is an imbalance of insulin in the body.

The Zone Diet is based on the concept of achieving a balance between insulin and eicosanoids. By controlling the balance of insulin and eicosanoids with the Zone Diet, you increase the loss of fat (weight loss), increase blood flow, increase your physical and mental stamina, and decrease the likelihood of heart disease and diabetes.

The Zone Diet advises a moderate intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat in order to control insulin. The Zone Diet is designed to balance your intake of protein and carbohydrates at 1 part protein to 4 parts carbohydrates. The Zone Diet prescribes a maximum amount of low-fat protein to one meal at 3-4 ounces, which is nearly exactly the recommendation of the USDA and the FDA. The majority of carbohydrates on the Zone Diet come from vegetables and fruits, with limited amounts of bread, rice, potatoes and grains. Most of the fat intake with the Zone Diet should come from monounsaturated fats like olive oil, safflower oil, and other ‘heart healthy’ oils.

Many people believe the Zone Diet sounds much like the Atkins diet due to the restricting of carbohydrates. However, the differences between the Zone Diet and the Atkins diet are quite clear. Atkins recommends a diet high in protein without regard to fat, with the intent of provoking ketosis, a potentially unhealthy condition. According to Barry Sears, the Atkins diet, by increasing carbohydrate levels without regard to fat intake, will force the body to induce the production of insulin which, maintains Sears, increases weight gain. Instead, the Zone Diet recommends achieving a balance of nutrients with moderate amounts of proteins, carbohydrates and fat all playing a part.

The Zone Diet also recommends the supplementation of diet with fish oil. Fish oil, provides omega 3 fatty acids which are an important component in healthy cells. Study after study in the past five years has confirmed the importance of fish oil and omega 3 fatty acids in the diet.

A sample meal on the Zone Diet Plan might include:

3 oz portion of broiled salmon

Spinach salad with apples and walnuts dressed with walnut oil and lemon juice

1/2 cup of brown rice

1 glass fruit or vegetable juice

The Zone Diet Plan combines small portions of low fat proteins, fats and fiber-rich vegetables and fruits. The Zone Diet also suggests eating some protein with each meal or snack, and at least 3 meals and 2 snacks daily.

Who should use the Zone Diet? Is the Zone Diet safe?

As always, you should consult a physician before embarking on any diet plan that substantially changes your eating habits. There are significant differences between the Zone Diet and diets recommended for diabetics and heart patients. However, in general, the recommended portions of foods and the balance between them with the Zone Diet is healthy and is maintainable for life.

To your weight loss success,
Grace Lawson
Staff Writer
1-800-Weight-Loss.com

************
Here’s the #1 trick to losing weight…

Eat GREAT food!

1-800-Weight-Loss.com has compiled more than 100 delicious weight loss recipes as a free gift to you just for visiting our website.

To grab your FREE copy visit:
http://www.1-800-weight-loss.com/weight_loss_recipes.htm

************

Share

Anyone who is focused on weight loss has seen the before and after photos from various weight loss programs along with testimonials from people who have lost weight and look great.

Do these weight loss programs really work? The answer is both yes and no. It all depends on what kind of dieter you are and which weight loss program works best for you.

Of course, the question then becomes how to decide which weight loss program to choose?

First, you have to remember that yo-yo dieting puts stress on your body that can make losing weight more difficult and putting weight back on far too easy. The ultimate goal of any weight loss program is not just to lose weight, but to lose weight and keep it off. That is why it is important to choose a weight loss program and diet plan that will help you make changes to your eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Unfortunately, too many people who are trying to lose weight jump back and forth between a very restrictive diet and then returning to normal eating after they have experienced some weight loss. All this will do is lead the dieter to put the weight back on. Instead, what you need to do is re-educate. Instead of choosing a strict weight loss plan that you’ll abandon when the diet is done, commit to the recommendations for healthy eating from the USDA, and add half an hour of exercise to your daily routine five times a week. You’ll establish healthy habits that will take off the pounds – and help you keep them off forever.

Secondly, decide just how much help you need. What motivates you? Are you a private person by nature, or do you do best with a lot of social support? Are you a strong-willed person who can decide to do something and ‘just do it’, or will you need help overcoming temptation?

If you thrive on social motivation, joining a weight loss program like Weight Watchers or might be the best option for you. You’ll have social support, motivational rewards, and weekly check-ins to help you stay on track and give you weight loss goals to aim for.

Next, do you do best with regimented, strict instructions that tell you exactly what you should do step by step, or are you happiest and more comfortable with a little flexibility?

If you do best when you have strict guidelines to follow and like routines, then look for a diet plan or weight loss program that gives you daily menus with precise measurements. While that may feel restrictive to many people, the trick is to choose a weight loss plan that works for you.

If restrictive diets and inflexible menus aren’t for you, then try a diet that gives you the option of mixing and matching your meals within certain parameters. Whether you count carbs or calories, diets like the Atkins diet or Zone diet give you some flexibility within the prescribed ‘allowed foods’.

Finally, what is your weight loss goal? How much weight do you want to lose? How long have you been trying to lose weight? Will quick results keep you motivated, or is slow-and-steady progress all you really need?

If you are looking for quick weight loss, try a quick-start with the Atkins diet to strip off the early weight – a lot of it water weight – so that you will see results immediately. When your results from such restrictive eating are slow, pick up the activity by adding a little more exercise and vary your diet a little. Most weight loss experts agree that your weight loss goal should aim for a steady 1-2 pounds per week, but if you need an extra boost, drop back to a more restrictive pattern to give your metabolism a little kick. However, be carefulif you stay with an extremely low calorie diet for too long you will actually slow your metabolism and it will become more difficult to lose weight.

To your weight loss success,
Grace Lawson
Staff Writer
1-800-Weight-Loss.com

************
Here’s the #1 trick to losing weight…

Eat GREAT food!

1-800-Weight-Loss.com has compiled more than 100 delicious weight loss recipes as a free gift to you just for visiting our website.

To grab your FREE copy visit:
http://www.1-800-weight-loss.com/weight_loss_recipes.htm

************

Share

Another weight loss tip from a women’s perpsective…

I buy myself something really slinky and hang it where I can see it every day. The trick is that it can only be about one size too small – if it’s any smaller than that, I just give up. But if my weight loss goal is just that close, it’s a real motivator. -Shana, 24

Share