Protein Zone Diet

The Zone Diet emphasizes high protein, low carbohydrates and limited calories to keep your mind and body working at their best. According to diet developer Dr. Barry Sears, when you're "in the zone," your mind is relaxed, alert and focused and your body is fluid, strong and energetic, all at the same time.

Background

Sears, author of the best-selling "Enter the Zone," recommends eating a calorie ratio of 30 percent protein, 40 percent carbohydrates and 30 percent fat to help you lose weight, prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, lower cholesterol and enhance your overall physical and mental state.

Protein

Amino acids comprise protein found in muscles, skin, hair, eyes and nails. Because protein is not stored in body, you need a daily dose of amino acids from the food you eat.

Dieters eat three meals plus two snacks, each of which includes 30 percent protein daily, when following the Zone diet. Starting with your weight and activity levels, calculate your daily protein requirements. From that number determine the matching percentages of 40 percent carbohydrates and 30 percent fat. Maintaining these controlled levels of what you consume helps balance the blood sugar in your body, Sears says.

Carbohydrates

The Zone Diet recommends that your carbohydrate intake ranks low on the glycemic index, which measures how food affect your blood sugar. Suggested carbohydrates include most fruit and vegetables and little to no refined varieties such as sweets, baked goods and pasta. According to Dr. Sears, too many carbohydrates will be stored in your body as fat.

Fats

Sears recommends incorporating the "good" fats -- olive oil and peanut butter -- to slow the rate of carbohydrates entering the bloodstream to help keep off extra weight. He advises restricting saturated fats by eating lean meat and fish to fulfill the protein requirement.

Considerations

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the best source of protein is vegetable protein. A study found that women on a diet high in vegetable sources of protein and fat and low in carbs had a 30 percent lower risk of heart disease than women who ate high-carb, low-fat diets.

Consult your physician before starting any diet. A high-protein diet may be harmful to those with kidney problems, osteoporosis or diabetes. Athletes may find the low carbohydrate and calorie intakes too restricting for high-endurance training and performance.