The Zone Diet, created by Barry Sears, PhD, is based on a specific ratio of carbohydrates, protein and fats in each meal and snack. Dr. Sears claims that this diet can help you lose weight while improving other aspects of your health. Always talk with your doctor before beginning a new diet program.
Nutrient Ratios
Each Zone meal and snack should consist of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fats. Dr. Sears' book, "The Zone: Revolutionary Life Plan to Put Your Body in Total Balance for Permanent Weight Loss," offers advice about planning meals that adhere to this ratio, and the Zone website sells Zone meals that already meet these requirements.
Zone Foods
When you sign up for Zone Meals, you're sent weekly packages with foods for meals and snack. These can be used to create meals that adhere to the ratio guidelines. The program gives you a meal planner that makes this simpler and offers recipes on its website to help you prepare meals. Examples include, Greek Orzo Salad, Chicken Cheddar Melt, Simple Paella, Cinnamon Bun Delight and Granola with Apples.
Grocery Store Foods
While the company can deliver many Zone Meals and snacks right to your door, you still need to shop for supplemental food. Combining the Zone Fast meals with fresh food allows you to meet the carbohydrate protein and fat proportions for your meals. The Zone Diet advocates nonstarchy vegetables, fruits, legumes, lowfat dairy and condiments. Dr. Sears provides a list of foods that fit within his program that you can take as a reference guide when shopping for supplemental foods.
Sample Meal Plan
With the recipes provided by the Zone Diet, both in the book and on the website, you can mix and match your favorites as you progress through the program. Breakfast might be a Zone Fast bagel, a breakfast burrito, French toast or oatmeal. For lunch, enjoy a portobello turkey burger, a turkey and Swiss sandwich or a chicken fajita roll-up. Dinner could be seafood pizza, chicken and zucchini on spaghetti squash or beef stew and biscuits. Snack on poached fruit with cheese, cottage cheese or a turkey wrap.
Considerations
The Zone Diet is low in calories, and therefore may be too low for some people. If you exercise a lot or are very physically active, the Zone Meal program may not be right for you. It may not readily supply enough calories to support your level of activity. You can still follow the Zone Diet guidelines for good carbohydrates, protein and good fats, of course, but you may need to do more of your own meal planning and preparation to meet your requirements. The Zone Diet encourages exercise, but it is not an essential part of the program. Since the Zone Diet requires strict adherence to fairly rigid nutrient ratios in your meals, it may be difficult to eat in restaurants or at parties.
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