How Does The Zone Diet Work?

by Healthoria.com

The “zone” is a catchy term used to define a state of balance between the food you eat and how it influences your blood sugar and insulin each day.

The Zone diet is incredibly popular, particularly among many celebrities, and has helped thousands shed unwanted pounds.

Does the Zone diet work, and is it worth your time? Here’s what you should know.

Diet Philosophy

The core philosophy of the the Zone diet is to regulate, and maintain healthy insulin levels all day long. To achieve this, you’re asked to use a specific meal composition every time you eat and also eat at specific times of the day.

30/30/40

The primary rule of the diet is 30% protein, 30% Fat, 40% carbohydrates. This rule must be followed with every meal and every snack to help regulate insulin levels. You can’t eat mostly protein for breakfast, than mostly carbs for lunch.

On the zone diet, every meal must comply with the 30/30/40 rule.

Calorie Restriction

In addition to meal composition there are general rules as to the number of calories you’re allowed per day. Typically women will eat 1,200 calories per day and men will eat 1,500 calories per day but there are exceptions depending on your current weight.

Meal Timing

To avoid drastic swings in blood sugar, and insulin levels, you’ll be asked to eat meals consistently spaced throughout the day. You aren’t allowed to go longer than five hours without consuming calories. On the diet, you’re asked to split your calories into three large meals, and two small snacks each day.

Zone Diet Food Blocks

To simplify achieving a 30/30/40 ratio, the zone diet uses a measuring system called “blocks”. This allocates points (blocks) to food based on the serving size and type of food you’re eating.

What You Can Eat

The diet tries to steer you into healthier decisions, by separating foods into favorable and unfavorable categories. Nearly all foods are allowed on the diet, but here’s a list of some of the foods considered favorable on the Zone diet.

Favorable Examples:

Protein
Chicken Breast
Turkey Breast
Ground Turkey
Ground Beef
Salmon
Tuna
Shrimp
Soy
Tofu
Egg Whites
Cheese

Fat
Almonds
Avocado
Canola Oil
Olives
Peanuts
Peanut Butter
Olive Oil
Mayonnaise
Sour Cream

Vegetables
Artichoke
Asparagus
Green Beans
Black Beans
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower

Fruit
Grapes
Grapefruit
Lemon
Lime
Nectarine
Orange
Pear
Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon

What You Can’t Eat

Unlike most diets, there aren’t many foods you’re not allowed to eat. There are foods that are considered unfavorable, and you’re asked to eat in moderation, but few foods are outright banned.

These foods are allowed, but you’re asked to eat in moderation.

High Carb Source
White bread
Noodles
Donuts
Muffins
Pasta
White Rice
Tortilla
Potato Chips
Candy Bars
Ice Cream

Vegetables
Baked Beans
Pinto Beans
Lima Beans
Peas
Carrots
Corn
Potato, boiled, mashed, fried
Re-fried Beans
Sweet Potato

Fruit
Banana
Dates
Mango
Raisins
Cranberries

Drinks
Apple Juice
Orange Juice
Grape Juice
Tomato Juice

How Much Weight Will You Lose?

The Zone diet isn’t a rapid fat loss program and it doesn’t claim to be, either. It preaches balance, and sustainability over long periods of time. You should expect to lose 1-1.5 pounds per week if you follow the guidelines every day.

Need to lose 10 pounds fast?

Try this three week diet. It has detailed meal and exercise plans to help you lose 5-7 pounds in the first week, and up to 20 pounds after three weeks.

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