The Zone diet is a very well known diet created by Dr. Barry Sears as a way to put your body in balance. The Zone created a new revolutionary way to diet that focused on eating a specific combination of foods instead of eliminating or restricting any food groups.
The secret to the Zone diet is the specific combination of key nutrients: protein, carbohydrates and fat. On the Zone, you will follow the golden rule: eat all your meals in the ratio of 40:30:30 (carbohydrates, proteins, fats). You will be eating roughly every 3 - 4 hours to ensure that you maintain satiety and don't become too hungry as the day progresses.
The science behind this diet is relatively straight forward. Sears claims that when eating your carbohydrates and proteins in the ratio of 40:30, you essentially become in the "zone". This zone he is referring to is when hormone levels, specifically insulin, are relatively stable and the body produces anti-inflammatory chemicals in response. These chemicals are, according to Sears, what helps with weight issues.
Now, you know why carbs and protein are required to be a part of the same meal. Now, it is time to understand why an equal ratio of fat should be consumed also. Fats, in particular monounsaturated fats are a heart healthy choice, which helps boost satiety and reduce the rate of absorption of carbohydrates into the blood stream. This helps to lower insulin levels which translate from fat storage mode into fat burning mode.
As the Zone diet plan incorporates a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats into your meals, it provides optimal nutrition. You will not be hungry or starving which ultimately leads to binge eating and can thwart your diet efforts. Your brain runs on glucose, a sugar substance found in carbohydrates, and the Zone balance helps keep these levels regulated. When glucose levels become depleted, this occurs when on low carbohydrate diets, hypoglycemia takes place leading to the sweet cravings.
Portion control is an important tool when using the Zone plan. It is important to keep portions relative to the plan, for example, a serving of lean protein should be no bigger than the palm of your hand and is generally no bigger than 6 oz. Compare this to what you have been eating and you will probably find a drastic difference.
The Zone doesn't have "forbidden" foods - almost everything is allowed as long as you pair it with a source of protein. Simply maintaining that balance is going to keep you in the "zone" and keep you satisfied. In a hurry, try the Zone prepackaged food bars and shakes specially designed in the 40:30:30 ratio.
Author Resource:
Richard likes to write about various interesting topics and has been doing so for years. His latest website is http://zebrablanket.org which provides information on what to look for in a luxury blanket .
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