A weight loss diet that’s very easy to follow and provides results quickly? That’s exactly what the Zone diet is. It aims to accelerate weight loss by altering hormonal levels. So if you desire to drop those extra pounds, the Zone diet plan is definitely worth a shot!
The Zone diet was proposed by Dr. Sears and was released in the form of a book. Unlike other diet plans for weight loss, it does not cut out all carbs or fats from a person’s diet, but gradually trims them down. This helps the person following this diet plan to lose weight slowly, yet steadily, without getting tired of the restrictions imposed by the diet. This ensures that the dieter is not pushed to give up the diet plan completely.
An Introduction To The Zone Diet
Here is all the information you need about the basic working of the Zone diet.
How The Diet Was Created
Dr. Sears’ search for a healthy diet was prompted by his father’s sudden death due to a heart attack at the age of 53. As he began to think about the causes and likelihood of early death in a person, he began to carry out a detailed study on the role of fats in the development of heart disease. After a 20-year-long study, he arrived at the conclusion that heart disease can be prevented by deterring the production of eicosanoids. This discovery led him to come up with the Zone diet.
Dr. Sears promoted the Zone diet in his book Enter The Zone, which was published in the year 1995. Although designed primarily for weight loss, the Zone diet is also considered beneficial for preventing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and for improving mental performance.
The Principles Of The Zone Diet
The Zone diet revolves around controlling hormonal imbalances, with the intention of controlling weight gain, which is responsible for heart disease. Individuals following this diet plan are required to consume protein, carbohydrates, and fats in the ratio of 40 : 30 : 30.
The ultimate goal of this diet plan is to reduce body fat percentage in both men and women. The ideal body fat percentage for men is 15 percent and for women, it is around 22 percent.
The Zone Diet – Foods To Include
If you take up the Zone diet plan, you must consume protein-rich foods, either from animal or plant sources. Ensure that the protein comes from low-fat sources such as soy, chicken, and legumes. Also add monounsaturated fats to your meal plan, in the form of canola oil, avocados, or olive oil.
Dr. Sears recommends the intake of two fatty acids that are needed for the manufacturing of “good” eicosanoids. These are GLA and EPA. GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid) is found in foods such as evening primrose oil, borage oil, and oatmeal, while EPA (Eicosa Pentaenoic Acid) is present in fish.
The Zone Diet – Foods To Avoid
The Zone diet recommends staying away from foods that contain refined carbohydrates and simple sugars, such as those found in foods like candy, soda, desserts, and white flour products.
Restrict the intake of fruits and vegetables that have high glycemic indices, or forgo them completely. Also stop the consumption of egg yolk and organ meats, as they favor the manufacturing of harmful eicosanoids.
Now that you know what the Zone diet involves, you might want to join the likes of stunning celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, and Madonna by trying out this effective diet for weight loss.