What You Must Know Before You Try Zone Diet!
Sep 23rd, 2008 by Jon Alexander
Dr. Barry Sears developed the Zone Diet. The diet uses the 40/30/30 strategy. This means that you consume 40% carbs, 30% fat, and 30% protein. The good Dr. Sears advocates a balanced diet plan in order to lose weight and avoid diseases.
The Zone diet talks about insulin production as a factor in weight loss. Eating foods that will raise the blood sugar and stimulate the production of insulin are not good for the body. Excess insulin will be stored as fat. The body is not encouraged to burn stored fat for energy with so much insulin in the bloodstream. Such increases in insulin are believed to aid in increased incidence of heart disease and diabetes in people.
As we discussed some foods cause a spike in insulin. Which foods you ask? Well white flour and processed foods contain empty calories (simple carbohydrates) that cause insulin to flood the blood streams. Avoid these foods and white flour like the plague. Instead eat fruits and vegetables because the sugars (carbohydrates) in these foods are generally more complex and don’t cause the unhealthy insulin spike!
The Zone Diet recommends eating 3 daily meals and two snacks. Snacks prevent hunger and overeating. However, your snack must contain good carbohydrates in order to avoid the dreaded insulin spike. Meals, of course, must follow the 40/30/30 rule. The largest portion coming from carbs like green vegies, corn, cauliflower, squash, peppers, zucchini, and other similar vegies. As for protein, a good measure is to choose a portion about the size of your hand. And fat should probably be cut off of your meat prior to eating.
Fats are included in the meal to slow the digestion and provide steady energy. Slower digestion means that dieters won’t feel hungry right away. The Zone diet recommends fats that are good for you like nuts and oils like canola and olive.
Foods that spike insulin must be avoided at all costs. Candy, cakes, pies, and other snacks clearly cause insulin spikes and must be avoided. However, other foods can be just as bad. For example breads, pasta noodles, and heavy starches can have the same effect as candy and cake. So try not to eat too much of these foods either especially because these foods are so addictive.
The Zone diet provides affordable pre-packed foods to help you get started and stick to the diet. Also, we can provide you with dozens of sources of zone diet recipes. With just a few changes to your weekly grocery list you’ll be Zone Diet Compliant! In fact, your family probably won’t even notice the change to their menu once you do the switch.
