The Zone Diet was developed by Barry Sears, Ph.D. His goal was a diet that would not only aid in weight loss, but also encourage good health. Sears believes that the Zone Diet strengthens the immune system, slows aging and helps you look and feel younger. There are several components of the Zone Diet, but they center around a balanced diet made up of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent fats and 30 percent protein.
Food Choices
Although the basic idea of the Zone Diet is the 40:30:30 ratio of carbs, fats and proteins, Sears also advocates making healthy food choices. Healthy protein choices include turkey breast, chicken, fish, low-fat cottage cheese and egg whites. Recommended carbohydrates include fruits, vegetables, whole-wheat bread and oatmeal. Select healthy fats such as avocados and olive oil.
Meal Timing
Time your meals so that you don't go longer than four to five hours without eating. Sears believes that eating frequently helps balance hormones, including insulin. One of the principles of the Zone Diet is that out-of-control hormones make weight loss difficult.
Benefits
Sears states that the Zone Diet can reduce or eliminate symptoms of heart disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism, depression, asthma, allergies and PMS. It may also reduce pain associated with HIV and multiple sclerosis. It is important to note that no medical studies have been conducted to support these findings.
Drawbacks
The main drawback of the Zone Diet is that even though it promotes healthy food choices, it still relies heavily on animal protein at the expense of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, some people may have problems with the high protein levels of the diet. Excessive protein can damage the liver and kidneys, as well as lead to kidney stones and bone loss.
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