Weight Loss Using The Paleo Zone Diet

The Paleo Zone Diet is a combination of two different diets, the Paleo Diet and the Zone Diet. There seem to be thousands of weight loss diets around, however, what sets these apart from many other diets is that they are not fad diets but are intended as long-term eating habits. These diets can be used separately or in conjunction to achieve weight-loss goals.

Paleo Diet

The Paleo Diet is modeled on the types of foods our paleolithic ancestors would have eaten around 10,000 years ago. These foods include vegetables, fruits, nuts, berries, meat and fish. Processed foods and some naturally occurring foods are banned, as these would not have been consumed during the paleolithic era. Foods such as refined sugar, processed oils, legumes, grains, bread, beans and dairy products are forbidden.

Zone Diet

The Zone Diet was made popular by biochemist Barry Sears. The diet advocates eating carbohydrates, protein and fat in a ratio of 40:30:30. According to CrossFit Impulse, an affiliate gym of the popular strength and conditioning program, this diet is not based on an idea of high protein or low-carb, but is rather about eating in balance. The science behind the Zone Diet is that this balance of food will control cellular inflammation, which can cause obesity and reduce physical and mental performance.

Hybrid Diet

The Paleo Zone Diet is a hybrid of the Zone and Paleo Diets. Although not an official diet, it is popular amongst some athletes, such as those engaging in CrossFit, who often blend the two diets. Root vegetables and other starchy vegetables, such as sweet potato, potato and butternut squash, are popular on the Paleo Diet. These can be used as a source of carbohydrates in place of carbohydrates that are popular on the Zone Diet, such as wholegrain breads and pasta.

Thermogenesis and Fat Loss

The Paleo Zone diet can significantly aid fat loss. The relatively high protein intake aids fat loss as the digestion and metabolization of protein consumes a lot of calories. This is known as thermogenesis. In fact, according to personal trainer and bodybuilder Tom Venuto, protein digestion can use up to 30 percent of the calories contained in food. The "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" asserts that diets high in protein can increase thermogenesis and satiety over higher carbohydrate-based diets.

Insulin

According to Barry Groves PhD, carbs appear to be the only foods that increase body weight. Refined foods and carbohydrates such as white breads, white rice and sugar increase insulin levels, and high insulin levels prevent the body from utilizing stored fat as energy. The Mayo Clinic explains this process as your cells accumulating excess glucose as fat. On the Paleo Zone Diet, these foods are eliminated, causing the body to have lower insulin levels, and thus burning more fat.