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.
An alternative is to try the diet recommended by Dr. Phil, Bistro MD a 40/30/30 diet delivered to your home. It’s very similar to the zone and you don’t have to worry about the complicated parameters of the Zone diet.
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.
