|
About
Diets
Do
you need to diet?
Metabolism
Binge Eating Disorder
Popular "Fad" Diets
Atkins Diet
Mayo Clinic Diet
Zone Diet
Cabbage Soup Diet
Grapefruit Diet
Very Low Calorie Diets
Fit for Life Diet
Sugar Busters Diet
Which diet is right for you?
The
Zone Diet
The Zone Diet is a high protein, low carbohydrate diet plan
designed to decrease our hunger and urge to eat. Meal plans
are tailored to each individual, based on gender, activity
level and percentage of body fat. The goal of the diet plan is
based on an individual getting a certain percentage of daily
calories from various areas. Each diet plan is tailored so
that 40% of calories come from carbohydrates, 30% from protein
and 30% from fat. Every meal or snack is designed around the
40-30-30 ratio so that the body can work at all times in it's
peak "zone". The peak zone is where the body gets it's maximum
amount of energy, maximizing weight loss.
The "zone" is a state of hormonal balance achieved through
diet. The theory rests on the belief that keeping insulin
levels in a perfect "zone" maximizes weight loss. The Zone
Diet believes that we should consider foods only on a hormonal
level, as opposed to caloric level. The Zone Diet firmly
asserts that consuming carbohydrates causes an overproduction
of insulin.
As with many other diets, the Zone Diet suggests a number of
ways to optimize the body's use of food for energy.
-
Eat large amounts of fresh
vegetables, fruits and nuts.
-
Eat lots of leafy greens.
-
Sufficient protein consumption
is essential for your body's unique requirements.
-
Eat grains in strict moderation,
if at all.
-
Eat few, low fat diary products.
-
Eat monounsaturated fats instead
of saturated fats.
-
Don't eat processed foods.
-
Don't add salt to foods.
-
Drink at least 8 full (8oz.)
glasses of water each day.
The diet is based on a low daily
caloric intake, yet offers foods many enjoy, such as high
protein foods like red meat. The diet is very low in
carbohydrates, fiber and many vitamins and minerals. It
demands work, as keeping to the 40-30-30 ratio at all times
can be complex.
The Mayo Clinic's Health Living
Centers provides excellent advice and research about
diet and nutrition. Excellent resources about
diets and
nutrition are offered by the Nutrition.gov website. |
