Developed by Barry Sears PhD, the ‘Zone Diet’ is the latest in a long line of attempts to get a fresh angle on weightloss, and is currently among the 5 most popular diets in the States, partly because dieters report losing up to 5 pounds in the first week, and up to 1.5 pounds each week thereafter. Dr Sears main thrust is that food is ‘medecine’ for the body, and not just the ‘fuel’. He proposes an “ideal” ratio of carbohydrates, proteins and fats - namely 40% carbs to 30% protein and 30% fat, which is supposed to keep the body within a healthy ‘zone’ determined by hormones. Slightly complicating matters is the concept that some carbs are good, and some are bad. Refined Carbohydrates such as pasta, potatoes and bread are bad, and need to be strictly controlled.

Dr Sears believes the human body’s digestive system works best by eating only 2 main food groups, namely Lean protein and natural carbohydrates (from fruits and fiberous vegetables). The good Doctor also advises disciples to eat small but regular meals, at least times 5 per day. Added to this are the other key parts of the diet (there are 4 components in all) - the diet itself, the use of monounsaturated fats, Omega-3 fish oil dietary supplements and of course exercise. This combination is said to burn excess body fat while increasing energy. Adherents report increased vitality not to mention improved mental abilities and fewer health problems.

To follow the Zone Diet, you create ‘zone meals’ or snacks based on the 40% 30% 30% ratio of carbs, proteins, and fats. In terms of portion size, use your own hand as a guideline (for example, a protein portion will be approximately the size and thickness of your palm). As for carbs, it depends on whether they are good or bad carbs. You can have 2 “big, loose fists” of good carbs, but only 1 “tight fist” if you prefer a bad carbohydrate like pasta, potatoes or bread.

Fats are also essential, and if your protein component is light on fat, you can add some olive oil, or a couple of olives. If you prefer, a small pile of nuts can be used instead. Unlike some diets, the Zone Diet doesn’t ‘ban’ any foods as such, but you are ’strongly advised’ to keep bad carbohydrates down to a quarter or less of your total carbohydrate intake. And stay off the caffeine - no coffee, tea, or fizzy colas even the diet variety. There are pre-prepared ‘Zone Diet’ snacks and ready meals available, although Dr Sears insists these are not necessary as long as you follow the guidelines. You should also exercise, both aerobically and anaerobically, 3 times a week minimum for at least 20 mins with an additional warm up time and stretching.

Once you reach your ideal weight, you can add more fat to your diet in order to provide your body with energy without using your stored fat reserves. Typically you would double your fat allowance to start, then see if your weight holds. Make sure they are monounsaturated fats though!

The author Neha Rai is the owner of the fitness website http://www.stayfitalways.com

The Omega Zone Diet and specialists’ opinion

“Omega RX Zone - The Miracle of High-dose Fish Oil” is considered the best contribution that Dr. Barry Sears has yet made to a healthy diet. The benefits of fish oil are well-known. Species such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon are rich in two kinds of Omega 3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids have had proven beneficial effects in complaints such as arrhythmia, high triglyceride levels, atherosclerotic plaque and high blood pressure.

The recommendations of the American Heart Association meet Dr. Sears’ up to a point

* Both the AHA and Dr. Sears recognise the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids.

* Both parties tell us that fish is nowadays contaminated with various toxins like mercury, DDT or other harmful substances. See the AHA special report

* People with a high risk of coronary heart disease or of high-level trigliceride cannot obtain enough Omega 3 fatty acids from dietary fish. They may therefore need to supplement their diet with pharmaceutical fish oil.

Nevertheless, opinions vary on some points.

* High doses of fish oil are good for health, but the doses Dr. Sears recommends are much higher than those which AHA considers to be safe.

* Dr. Sears warns us to pay attention to what we buy. This is pharmaceutical fish oil preliminarily tested by International Fish Oil Standards program (IFOS). The AHA’s lab studies certified that all brands of pharmaceutical fish oil, even the cheapest, were free from toxins, at the moment of testing. But some of them did not meet the doses advertised on the label.

* Dr. Sears prescribes fish oil capsules for healthy people. The AHA does not.

* Dr. Sears claims that his fish oil supplements, Omega RX ZoneTM, will prevent and help cure heart and brain diseases. THey will also maintain healthy kidneys, immune system, joint movement, maintain cholesterol safe levels, stamina, strength, mood and general well-being. The American Food and Drug Administration did not evaluate any of these statements.

Iulia Pascanu writes for http://www.enterthezonediet.com where you can find more information about the Zone Diet.

Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared: mailto:iuliap@gmail.com

Zone diet doesn’t refer to a weight-loss diet. It is a personalized diet that is based on gender, activities and proportional Body fat of the dieter. Zone diet includes calories in 40:30:30 proportions that contain carbohydrates, protein and fat respectively. Dieter’s body can work with great performance.

Zone diet promotes hormonal thinking instead of caloric thinking. In fact zone diet is a way of eating and maintains hormone balance. It is a truth that human body can’t store or burn the fat simultaneously. Zone diet doesn’t generate weight loss but studies shows that sometimes it can produce weight loss to some extent.

It is one of the hottest nutrition strategies that assure you to improve health, weight and athletic performance. It is based on Barry Sears’ 40-30-30 formula. According to Barry Sears, zone diet helps you to live healthy. Zone diet is designed to promote desired hormonal response. Main motive of zone diet is to eat exact balance of carbohydrates and protein. Anyone who wants to enter in The Zone must consume accurate ratio of carbohydrates and proteins in their meals and also allow a gap of more than 5 hours between meals.

Zone diet offers several benefits like stable blood sugar level, better performance, healthier appearance and clearer mind. You’ll observe an increase in energy level and focus within 48 hours on zone diet. You can easily reduce 5 to 10 pounds during first two weeks on zone diet. It is the better option instead of the other products where you can reduce a large number of pounds quickly. Cholesterol levels will improve severely after completing six weeks on zone diet.

About Author: Author presents a website on Zone Diet. Website provides sufficient knowledge about zone diet. Also offers information about zone diet plan, zone diet recipe, zone diet food, zone diet delivery and zone diet reviews etc. You may visit his site about Diet Supplements.

The Zone Diet as a weight loss program has been discussed in detail by Dr. Barry Sears in his book The Zone: Revolutionary Life Plan to Put Your Body in Total Balance for Permanent Weight Loss.

What does ‘Being in the Zone’ involve and more importantly, is it a healthy weight loss regime? Barry Sears, as creator of The Zone Diet was of the opinion that if a person eats carbohydrate, protein and fat in the right ratio of 40:30:30 then he or she will improve his or her health, weight, and performance, because certain hormones will be balanced and therefore be in the preferred “zone.”

The hormones focused here are insulin (necessary for glucose to enter our cells) and eicosanoids (hormone-like substances that regulate inflammation). The Zone Diet is a popular choice for some, as it is believed to be a scientific weight loss program.

The Zone Diet works on the theory that excess insulin, a hormone that helps control our blood sugar levels, makes us over weight. So Zone Diet can be defined as keeping the hormone insulin in a ‘tight zone’. Zone diet regulates our blood sugar levels by regulating insulin levels thereby burning body fat more efficiently so that we lose weight.

To control blood sugar and consequently insulin levels, maintaining a perfect balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in every meal is essential. Zone Diet is all about a low carb - high protein diet.

The Zone diet encourages meals every five hours. It also eliminates foods people tend to overeat; such as sweets, chips, certain starches, and other junk food. It concentrates on including a number of healthful foods low glycemic fruits and grains (such as cherries, grapefruit, nuts, and lentils which help maintain blood sugar levels), vegetables, lean proteins, monounsaturated and omega-3 fats.

Sometimes it may feel difficult to mathematically calculate the food requirements in your diet. This is where the block system comes in. A 1:1:1 ratio of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats constitute what is known as a Zone Block.

Food like white potatoes, corn flakes, and dates are a no-no. The Zone diet works because it is actually a low calorie diet. For instance, the sample meal plans for an average person totaled approximately 1800-2000 calories per day. Most people (men) would lose weight at this level of caloric intake if the zone diet is followed. The Zone diet is best for hypothyroid patients.

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As one of the newer diets on the market, the Zone Diet is rapidly taking hold as one of the best and most popular. Like many on the market, the Zone Diet is the result of many years of intense study into the way the human body uses the food sources it is given. Through this research, the folks at Zone Diet have managed to find a way to make your body use the food to its fullest advantage and make you lose weight. The Zone Diet is gaining wide spread acceptance as a true form of weight loss and anything but a fad diet.

Dr. Sears is the man responsible for the Zone Diet and all of its inner workings. For years he has studied the effects that certain foods have on the bodies fat burning potential. With this research he has found the formula of foods and drinks that actually spur the body into over drive and help it to burn off the unnecessary fat and make you lose weight.

The Zone Diet is nothing like the other starvation diets that have come down the pike. In most cases you do not have to give up the foods that you love, but simply make adjustments in the daily regimen. This all speaks to the unique way that the Zone Diet works. Instead of cutting out the meals the Zone Diet adds two additional meals to the daily routine.

The Zone Diet works to stabilize and increase the insulin output of the body. With this insulin the body can more readily burn the fat to make certain that you are losing weight. This diet does not work in miracles or days even. There is a standard amount of time that you will need to work to make sure that you have maintained the proper procedures in the diet. This will help to build the bodies natural defenses against weight gain. With this manner you will be training your body to accept and decline certain foods in order to keep the weight that you lose off.

The Zone Diet is being actively referred to as the diet of the stars. Many of those in Hollywood and surrounding areas have found that the Zone Diet is vastly superior to the other diets currently on the market and therefore increasing its popularity to new levels.

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