I've tried researching it online, but I just don't get what it is?

is it a low carb diet?
high protein?

anyone have a general summary of what it is?



thanks in advance!!

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~Jenn
188/188/145



First day of Low Carbin: January 9, 2006

"The Zone" is Dr. Sears's term for proper hormone balance. When insulin levels are neither too high nor too low, the human body uses stored fat for energy, thus causing weight loss. The diet centers around a "40:30:30" ratio of calories obtained daily from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Whe you hit this ratio of foods, according to Dr. Spears, you are in "the zone".

Quote:

One of the most important ideas of the Zone diet is to balance the amount of carbohydrates and proteins that you consume. The diet recommends that you keep three food groups: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in the ratio of 40:30:30 respectively. However, it is important not only to eat meals in this ratio, but also to eat favorable foods in each group. For instance, favorable proteins include fish, chicken, turkey breast, egg whites, and low-fat cottage cheese, while unfavorable proteins would be such foods as red meat and organ meats. Favorable Carbohydrates include vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, and whole wheat bread. Unfavorable carbohydrates are such foods as dry breakfast cereal, pastas and white bread. Lastly, when considering the fat component to your Zone-favorable meal you should add something like olive oil, light mayonnaise or avocado rather than butter or margarine. Additionally, Dr. Sears recommends that you eat these balanced, zone-favorable meals frequently, never going more than 4 or 5 hours without eating. Following these guidelines, you will essentially have "entered the Zone" and apparently be on your way to losing weight and optimizing your physical and mental state. The link;http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psycho...oneWebPage.htm

To me it sounds a lot like South Beach, only more complicated, time consuming and with less food choices. I understand that a lot of stars use it, like Jennifer Anniston, Demi Moore and Sandra Bullock, to name a few.

The diet uses food blocks. The number of blocks you should have each day is calculated according to your weight, height and waist and hip circumferences. The bigger the person, the more food blocks they can use. Personally, I don't think I want to do all that work by counting food blocks. For me, the easier the weight loss plan is, the better my chances are of sticking with it.

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This is exactly right. I did the Zone before starting Atkins. Once I figured out the forumal so that I could figure the number of blocks, I was reeling. (understand that math is not my strong suit) However, I did the math and figured the blocks I needed of protein, fat, and carbs. The next problem was trying to figure out how much of something constituted a block. I did not get the hang of it and tried just eating balanced, but had little success.
I have heard there is a newer book out that is supposed to make it a little easier.

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