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Zone Diet - Weight Loss Plan!
Overview:
The Zone Diet was originally proposed by Barry Sears
in his best-selling book, 'Entering the Zone.' It is basically a
high protein, low carbohydrate, semi-starvation diet. This diet
is based on 30% of the calories from protein, 30% fat, and 40% carbohydrate.
Balance is the key focus of Sears' plan. More specifically, the
balancing of the correct ratio of carbohydrates, fat, and protein
is key to the success of this diet plan. Dr. Sears suggests that
by consuming the right amounts of these components, you can control
your body's insulin production. Sears says that when your insulin
is at the right level, your body burns fat more effectively. There
is also a concentration on avoiding "bad" carbohydrates
whenever possible.
The foundation of the Zone Diet is the relationship between the
hormone insulin and substances called eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are
hormone-like substances that control many vital physiological functions,
including those of the cardiovascular system, immune system, and
nervous system. Dr. Sears believes that certain eicosanoids are
"good" and others are "bad." When insulin levels
are high, "bad" eicosanoids are produced. Dr. Sears contends
that his Zone Diet, which contains 40% carbohydrate, 30% protein,
and 30% fat, is the ideal diet for keeping insulin levels in check.
Advantages:
- The Zone Diet is popular among people desiring to lose weight.
Even though the diet is low in calories, it contains enough fat
to provide a sense of fullness.
- Advocates of the Zone Diet contend that living "in the
Zone" improves energy levels, mental clarity, physical endurance,
and promotes weight loss. Dr. Sears has worked with many elite
athletes and attributes their success in competition to his diet.
- Most people find an improvement in their energy levels and general
alertness. Any fatigue you may feel the first few days will likely
dissipate and be replaced with renewed vigor.
- Normalizing insulin levels can eliminate food cravings, making
it easier for dieters to not cheat.
- The zone's emphasis on reducing sugar is timely, with the epidemic
of diabetes in the US and around the world.
- One of the tenets of the program is portion control. Once you
get familiarized with this concept you can use it for lifestyle
changes (balance and moderation) even if you get out of the "zone."
- You will learn to practice mindful eating by monitoring your
food intake.
Disadvantages:
- Like all calorie restricted diets, the Zone diet is next to
impossible to follow for very long because it hurts to be hungry.
- The dietary rules are complicated and it is basically a calorie
restricted diet. For anyone trying to follow and stay on the program,
you will find it almost impossible to maintain.
- This diet plan requires commitment -- if you're not ready to
monitor your diet and devote a significant amount of time to planning
your meals, this diet probably isn't for you. It may be impractical
to maintain the very low caloric requirement for long periods
of time.
- Most nutrition professionals favor a high-complex-carbohydrate,
low-fat diet for general health and weight loss. They caution
that high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets lack key nutrients for
health, including dietary fiber, vitamin C, folic acid, and several
minerals. In addition, the high intake of meat products necessary
to meet the protein requirements of the Zone Diet may place certain
individuals at risk of heart disease due to increased intake of
saturated fat and cholesterol.
- Some experts have suggested that not enough vegetables are included
in this diet (even though it does incorporate some), and that
by reducing "bad" carbohydrates, we as a result may
miss out on "good" ones as well.
- Persons with kidney failure should stay away from the diet.
High amounts of protein increase the amount of nitrogen-containing
waste products the kidneys must process for elimination.
- Not all sports nutritionists and athletes believe that the Zone
Diet is ideal for athletic training and performance. A significant
amount of research in the field of exercise physiology has shown
that fatigue during exercise is primarily caused by depletion
of the body's stored carbohydrates (called glycogen). Most athletes'
glycogen stores are depleted within 90 minutes of intense exercise,
leaving muscles without any source of energy to fuel activity.
As a result, many experts believe that a sufficient intake of
carbohydrates before and during exercise is crucial for increasing
endurance.
> BREAKFAST
Zone Scrambled Eggs Florentine with orange and grapes
> LUNCH
Zone Seafood Salad Sandwich with fruit
> DINNER
Zone barbecued chicken and asparagus
> SNACK
Zone Hawaiian fruit snack
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