The Zone Diet was developed by Dr. Barry Sears to assist people in losing and maintaining their weight. Instead of traditional calorie counting, the Zone Diet recommends counting blocks of food to keep track of their portions. The diet promotes eating a ratio of 1 g of fat to 2 g of protein and 3 g of carbohydrates, according to "Zone Food Blocks."
Step 1
Measure your carbohydrate blocks with a measuring cup. "The Zone Diet" mentions that beans, brown rice, whole-grain pasta and vegetables are ideal carbohydrate options and further explains that carbohydrate blocks consist of 1/4 cup of non-vegetable options and 3 cups of vegetable options. For example, you could choose 1/4 cup of brown rice or 3 cups of cabbage to fulfill your carbohydrate block.
Step 2
Weigh your lean protein on a food scale. According to "The Zone Diet," each block of protein should weigh 1 oz. to 1.5 oz. "Zone Food Blocks" explains that lean poultry, lean meat, fish, tofu and egg whites are suitable options for your protein blocks.
Step 3
Measure your fat blocks with a tablespoon or food scale. "The Zone Diet" mentions that a block of fat is approximately 1 tbsp. of oil or 1/4 oz. of nuts. "Zone Food Blocks" notes that 1 tbsp. olive oil, five almonds or six peanuts are all equivalent to one block of fat.
Things You'll Need
- Food scale
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
References
- "The Zone Diet"; Barry Sears, Ph.D.; 1999
- "Zone Food Blocks: The Quick and Easy, Mix-and-Match Counter for Staying in the Zone"; Barry Sears, Ph.D.; 2003
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