What Is The Zone Diet?

By: Kirsten Hawkins

The Zone Diet is one of the five most discussed diets currently
being endorsed. Developed by Barry Sears, a former researcher at
MIT, it is based on maintaining insulin levels by striking a
balance between carbohydrates and proteins at each meal. Sears
suggests that the major cause of obesity is an imbalance of
insulin in the body. He maintains that the diet currently
recommended by most medical institutions is high in
carbohydrates and low in fats - a combination which he contends
contributes to the production of too much insulin, and results
in obesity. The Zone Diet is based on the concept of achieving a
physiological state in which insulin and eicosanoids, two
hormones, are maintained in zones that are carefully balanced.
By controlling the balance of insulin and eicosanoids, you
increase the loss of fat, and decrease the likelihood of heart
disease and diabetes, decrease inflammation and increase blood
flow, and increase your physical and mental stamina. The Zone
Diet The diet program of The Zone is designed to balance your
intake of protein and carbohydrate at 1 part protein to 4 parts
carbohydrate. It advises a moderate intake of carbohydrates,
proteins and fat in order to control insulin. It prescribes a
maximum amount of low-fat protein at one meal at 3-4 ounces,
which is nearly exactly the recommendation of the USDA and the
FDA. The majority of carbohydrates on the Zone diet come from
vegetables and fruits, with limited amounts of bread, rice,
potatoes and grains. Most fat intake should be from
monounsaturated fats like olive oil, safflower oil and other
'heart healthy' oils. While this sounds a good deal like the
Atkins diet (restricting carbohydrates), the differences are
very clear. Atkins recommends a diet high in protein without
regard to fat, with the intent of provoking ketosis, a
potentially unhealthy condition. High carbohydrate diets
recommend increasing carbohydrate levels and inducing the
production of insulin which, maintains Sears, increases weight
gain. Instead, the Zone Diet recommends achieving an optimal
balance of nutrients with moderate amounts of proteins,
carbohydrates and fat all playing a part. The other component of
the Zone diet worthy of note is the supplementation of diet with
fish oil. Fish oil, particularly pharmaceutical grade fish oil,
provides omega 3 fatty acids which are an important component in
healthy cells. Study after study in the past five years has
confirmed the importance of fish and omega 3 fatty acids in the
diet. A sample meal on The Zone's eating plan might include:

1 3 oz portion of broiled salmon Spinach salad with apples and
walnuts dressed with walnut oil and lemon juice 1/2 cup of brown
rice 1 glass fruit or vegetable juice The eating plan
recommended by The Zone diet combines small portions of low fat
proteins, fats and fiber-rich vegetables and fruits. It also
suggests eating some protein with each meal or snack, and at
least 3 meals and 2 snacks daily. Who should use the Zone Diet?

As always, if you're under the care of a physician for any
chronic medical condition, you should consult them before
embarking on any diet plan that substantially changes your
eating habits. There are significant differences between the
Zone Diet and that recommended for diabetics and heart patients,
for instance. Overall, the recommended portions of foods and the
balance between them is consistent with a healthy diet, and is
maintainable for a lifetime.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville,
TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great
nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and
comments on popular diets.