Zone Diet Review
October 30, 2007
Last Reviewed
The Zone diet is unique. The idea behind it is to achieve an ideal metabolic balance at each meal.
It is considered a moderate low carb diet. It consists of 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat.
You’ll be eating 3 to 5 times each day. You need to eat your breakfast within one hour of waking.
While following the Zone you will be eating a lot of fruits and vegetables. A moderate amount of grains and starches. Sugar is to be avoided.
The Diet is broken into blocks:
A block consists of 1:1:1 ratio of protein/carbs/fat
The Number of blocks you eat is determined by your weight, height and waist to hip circumference.
The Zone Diet is in Three Stages:
1. Entering the Zone – lasts 2 weeks while learning the basics and making small changes.
2. Eating in the Zone – lasts 4 weeks where you’ll learn to adjust to the diet.
3. Living in the Zone – lasts a lifetime for optimal health.
The Zone Diet Effective. You’ll be eating a healthy diet consistsing of wholesome foods.
Experts can not agree on the safety of the Zone. Some experts are a little concerned that the 30% protein is higher and the 40% carbs is lower than most health organizations recommend. The protein allotment may overtax kidneys. Most Health professionals recommend a diet consisting of 50% carbs, 15% protein and 35% fat
As with any weight loss plan, in order to be successful at long term weight management … You will need to make the Zone a lifestyle.
The Good
- Eliminates hunger
- Increases your energy
- Improves health
- Encourages snacking
- Variety in food choices
- No special foods needed
- Cures carbohydrate addiction
The Bad
- Must plan meals ahead of time
- Using the block method may be confusing
- Needs to be followed faithfully
- Need to be precise in food portions
- Caffeine not allowed
- Reduced intake of starches – breads and pastas
- Has come under some media scrutiny
You may have heard of Manuel Uribe. He is/was the 1232 pound man in Mexico that lost 407 pounds in one and a half years by following the Zone. He is under the personal care of Dr. Barry Sears.
At FormulaZone Your Zone Diet Experts will help you with the nutritional program that helps you feel great while you lose the weight.
The Easiest way to follow the Zone Diet is by having your meals delivered to your door thru Chefs Diet Delivery – 8 Delicious Programs To Choose From
You can also purchase Zone Diet Products at ZoneLiving
The History of the Zone Diet
Dr. Barry Sears spent years researching heart disease as it runs rampant in his family. His theory on how health and hormones are influenced by dietary fats won a Nobel Prize in 1992.
Decades of research resulted in a simple and delicious way to lose weight, gain energy, and overall health. The key is managing insulin levels through your diet.
Dr. Sears first book “The Zone” was released in 1995 and was on the New York Times bestseller list. To date Dr. Sears has published a total of eleven bestseller books regarding health and diet.
Harvard medical School conducted many studies, which confirmed Dr. Sears research on the impact of your diets impact on your overall health.
The Zone diet is constantly being tested and revised. The current program represents the eighth revision of Dr. Sears original concept.
Start Losing Weight Today with the Chefs Diet 40-30-30 Diet Delivery plan.
The South Beach Diet Review
October 30, 2007
The SouthBeach Diet is a Low carb/Low fat plan. It’s based on the glycemic index and reduces cravings.
While on the diet you’ll be eating lean meats and proteins in normal size helplings. You eat 3 meals daily plus snacks. You’re encouraged to enjoy good carbs and to avoid bad carbs.
This is a A 3 phase program:
- Banishing your cravings – First 2 weeks, restricts fruit, bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, alcohol and sugar
- Reintroducing carbs – Until your at your desired weight, restricted food is added in limited quantities
- Maintenance – Keep the weight off and remain healthy by living by the diets basic rules
Is South Beach Diet Safe and Effective?
You wil lose weight by following this plan. Experts agree that phase one is too restrictive. There is no clinical data on the effectiveness of this diet. However – this low carb diet is widely accepted as being healhier than Atkins.
Is there a Maintenance Plan?
Yes. Phase 3 of the program is a maintenance plan. You can eat normal helpings. Add additional carbs into your diet. You will maintain your weight by following the basic principles of the plan.
The Good
- A sensible low carb diet
- One of the top 5 diets in the US
- Registered Dietitians are online
- Phone registered dietitians regarding your personal needs
- No portion size limits
- Healthy approach to eating protein and fat
- No calorie counting
- Can lose up to 13 pounds in first two weeks
- Limited Sweets allowed in phase 2
- Can dine out
- Kraft has a line of foods based on this diet
The Bad
- First 2 weeks requires serious willpower
- List of foods to enjoy and to avoid
- Does not have a lot of clinical data to back up its claims
History of the South Beach Diet
Dr. Arthur Agatson created the South Beach Diet in the mid 1990s. He is a cardiologist and an associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami Medical School. His initial goal was to prevent or reverse the numerous heart and vascular problems in his morbidly obese patients. He began researching the origins of insulin resistance diets.
Dr. Agatson offered his diet to numerous heart patients with impressive results. This diet not only focuses on a low carb/low fat diet but also serves as a method to teach us to eat the correct carbs and the correct fats.
Atkins Diet Review
October 20, 2007
- Phase 1 – Induction lasts 14 days and will jump start weight loss (20 net carbs)
- Phase 2 – Ongoing Weight Loss phase gradually adds nutrient rich carbs (25 net carbs)
- Phase 3 – Pre-Maintenance Begins when you are 10 pounds from goal. Prepares you for lifelong maintenance. (35 net carbs)
- Phase 4 – Lifetime Maintenance – Eat veggies, potatoes and fruits in controlled amounts
- Eat until you’re full
- Eat all the protein and fat you want
- Don’t need to control portions
- Quickly lose weight
- No calorie counting
- One of the most popular diets
- Highly controversial among medical professionals
- Not suitable for vegetarians
- Limited variety of foods
- Low carb foods may be expensive
- Have to count carbs
- Caffeine is not allowed
- May regain the weight if you return to eating carbs
- How long can you go with out bread, potatoes, rice, sugar … etc?
The Atkins DietIt is an extremely low carbohydrate diet. One of the reasons for it’s popularity is that you can eat all the protein and fat that you want. And there’s no counitng calories or measuring portions.
The downside is that ALL sugar is eliminated.
You can dine out – just skip the bread, vegetables and dessert. This is also an easy plan to follow if you are fixing meals for a family.
Limited studies conclude that following Atkins will raise your “Good Cholesterol”.
The Atkins Revolution Diet consists of 4 phases:
Is the Atkins diet right for you?
Is the Atkins diet Safe and Effective?
The Atkins Diet is one of the most controversial diets today. A lot of people have successfully lost weight on Atkins with no adverse affect on their health. However it is imperative that you consult your physician and have a complete physical before beginning this diet. A low carb diet can be detrimental to undiagnosed diabetics. Some people gain weight as soon as they start eating a normal diet with a safe amount of carbohydrates. The health impact of a lifetime restricted of carbs is unclear at this time. Most nutritionists do not promote a low carb diet.
Is there a Maintenance Plan?
YES. The 3rd and 4th phases of the diet lead you to a lifelong maintenance plan. It may be difficult to follow a low carb lifestyle forever. Follow Atkins on Ediets to receive support every step of the way.
The Good
The Bad
History of the Atkins Diet
Dr. Robert C. Atkins began formulating his high protein, high fat, low carb diet in the early 1960s. He believed that eating fewer carbohydrates and more protein increased the body’s ability to burn fat. This theory was reached through substantial research.
Dr. Atkins strongly believed in his theory even though the medical profession strongly disagreed with him. In spite of the fact that the Atkins Diet is highly controversial its popularity has continued to grow. His original book “Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution” was introduced in 1972 and instantly became a bestseller. Dr Atkins’ New Diet Revolution was released in 2001.
Atkins claims obesity as well as other diseases have been successfully treated with this diet at the Atkins Center for Complementary medicine in New York.
Dr. Atkins died April 17, 2003 due to head injuries after falling outside of his New York clinic. He was 72 years old. After his death The Wall Street Journal published a report stating Dr. Atkins weighed 258 pounds and had a history of heart disease. Dr. Atkins widow Veronica confirmed that her husband did have some artery disease in the last three years of his life.
The controversy has continued after his death with numerous rumors that a heart attack caused the fall that killed Dr. Atkins. There was no autopsy and it is unknown the extent of Dr. Atkins heart disease or if his diet contributed to it.
