Zone Diet Food Plan Article

A calorie-restricted diet that provides adequate protein, moderate levels of carbohydrates, essential fats, and micronutrients spread through three meals and two snacks that approximately maintain the protein-to-carbohydrate ratio throughout the day.

Zone Diet Weight Loss Program
By Lana Hampton
The Zone Diet as a weight loss program has been discussed in detail by Dr. Barry Sears in his book The Zone: Revolutionary Life Plan to Put Your Body in Total Balance for Permanent Weight Loss.

What does ‘Being in the Zone’ involve and more importantly, is it a healthy weight loss regime? Barry Sears, as creator of The Zone Diet was of the opinion that if a person eats carbohydrate, protein and fat in the right ratio of 40:30:30 then he or she will improve his or her health, weight, and performance, because certain hormones will be balanced and therefore be in the preferred "zone."

The hormones focused here are insulin (necessary for glucose to enter our cells) and eicosanoids (hormone-like substances that regulate inflammation). The Zone Diet is a popular choice for some, as it is believed to be a scientific weight loss program.

The Zone Diet works on the theory that excess insulin, a hormone that helps control our blood sugar levels, makes us over weight. So Zone Diet can be defined as keeping the hormone insulin in a ‘tight zone’. Zone diet regulates our blood sugar levels by regulating insulin levels thereby burning body fat more efficiently so that we lose weight.

To control blood sugar and consequently insulin levels, maintaining a perfect balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in every meal is essential. Zone Diet is all about a low carb - high protein diet.

The Zone diet encourages meals every five hours. It also eliminates foods people tend to overeat; such as sweets, chips, certain starches, and other junk food. It concentrates on including a number of healthful foods — low glycemic fruits and grains (such as cherries, grapefruit, nuts, and lentils which help maintain blood sugar levels), vegetables, lean proteins, monounsaturated and omega-3 fats.

Sometimes it may feel difficult to mathematically calculate the food requirements in your diet. This is where the block system comes in. A 1:1:1 ratio of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats constitute what is known as a Zone Block.

Food like white potatoes, corn flakes, and dates are a no-no. The Zone diet works because it is actually a low calorie diet. For instance, the sample meal plans for an average person totaled approximately 1800-2000 calories per day. Most people (men) would lose weight at this level of caloric intake if the is followed. The Zone diet is best for hypothyroid patients.

*You have permission to reprint what you just read. Use it in your ezine, at your website or in your newsletter. The only requirement is including the following footer with it...

Lana Hampton is the webmaster of www.zonedietnews.com. Visit her site today for the latest information and reviews. Reprinting this article is permitted with this footer included.

Lana Hampton, Alexandria, VA Lana Hampton is the webmaster of numerous educational websites which offers the latest news and product reviews.

We strive to provide only quality articles, so if there is a specific topic related to zone diet that you would like us to cover, please contact us at any time.

And again, thank you to those contributing daily to our Zone Diet Meal Plan website.

Additional Related Resources
Principles of The Zone Diet Plan By Edna Hemingway The Zone Diet has been around since around 1995, when fatty acids research scientist Dr. Barry Sears published the New York Times bestseller "The Zone". This book was aimed at other doctors but it Read more...	Zone Diet Revolution By J. Brian Keith In today's world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually Read more...	Zone Diet – A New Weight Loss System By David Chandler The Zone Diet works on the principle that 100,000 years ago, we were meat eaters, and our metabolism is designed to handle the demands of a meat-based diet. Madonna, Demi Moore, and Read more...	Zone Diet – A New Weight Loss System By David Chandler The Zone Diet works on the principle that 100,000 years ago, we were meat eaters, and our metabolism is designed to handle the demands of a meat-based diet. Madonna, Demi Moore, and Read more...

Zone Diet Meal Plan Navigation

Zone Diet Meal Plan
Zone Diet Menu
Zone Diet Menu Plan
Zone Diet Product