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Diet Plans |
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The Zone DietThis higher protein, lower carbohydrate diet is supposed to decrease hunger, then weight.The Zone diet was created by Barry Sears, PhD. He promotes a 40-30-30 diet plan. That is 40% carbohydrates, 30% fat, and 30% protein. He gets very scientific about how to come up with the personal 40-30-30 that each individual person will need. Then, he explains that all the foods we eat are in "blocks." Once you figure out your unique combination of blocks, you eat those blocks at each meal. Snacks are half of the meal blocks. An exact meal plan based upon each person's gender, activity level, and current percentage of body fat is designed to include 40 percent of its calories from carbohydrates, 30 from protein and 30 from fat. All meals and snacks follow this 40-30-30 distribution ratio, causing the body to work within its peak performance "zone" for maximum energy and weight loss. The Zone Dietary Program
It is based upon consistent insulin control coupled with the supplementation of high-dose fish oil in order to modulate the synthesis of arachidonic acid.
Insulin control is achieved by balancing protein and carbohydrate at each meal (1-4). The insulin-control component of the Zone dietary program can be described as a moderate-carbohydrate, moderate-protein, and moderate-fat dietary program. The maximum amount of low-fat protein at any one meal should be no bigger than the size and thickness of the palm of the hand (this is approximately 3 oz. for females and 4 oz. for males). The majority of carbohydrates should come from vegetables and fruits, with starches (such bread, potatoes, rice, and pasta) used sparingly as condiments. Finally, most of the fat should consist of heart healthy monounsaturated fat. Unlike high-protein diets (that induce ketosis) or high-carbohydrate diets (that elevate insulin levels), the insulin control component of the OmegaZone dietary program is based on balance and moderation at each meal. The other component of the Zone dietary program is supplementation with high-dose fish oil. This is only possible with the advent of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil that for the first time allows the use of high-doses without severe gastric disturbances. The goal of the Zone diet is to keep a hormonal balance between fat-storing insulin and the hormone glucagon sand. Glucagon is responsible fore releasing stored glucose from the liver when it is needed. Maintaining a balance between the two hormones is achieved by limiting the amount of certain food groups. In particular, it can be defined as keeping the hormone insulin in a tight zone: not too high, not too low. The Zone Diet is a life-long hormonal control strategy. The Zone's eating plan is a combination of a small amount of low-fat protein, fats, and carbohydrates in the form of fiber-rich vegetables and fruits. Proteins should be eaten with every meal and at every snack. Carbohydrates should be twice the size of the protein portion. These include vegetables, beans, and whole-grains. "Unfavorable carbohydrates" such as brown rice, pasta, bananas, bagels, etc. should be eaten in smaller portions. Advantages of The Zone
You will lose weight on this diet due to the very low calorie intake while you enjoy foods high in protein such as roast beef and steaks. Specific meal plans are available to guide you into the "zone."
Disadvantages of The Zone
Quite frankly, it's completely overwhelming! You are bound to lose weight on the Zone diet because half of your life is spent trying to figure out the blocks you can have!
The diet is very low in carbohydrates, which can quickly sap your energy levels. It's also low in fiber and some vitamins and minerals due to the drastic reduction of foods such as pasta, potatoes, and bread products. Figuring out how to make each and every meal and snack follow the 40-30-30 ratio can be daunting. |
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