Dieting is hard — that’s no secret. Anyone who’s ever looked in a mirror and wished away belly fat can attest to the difficulty of sticking to a healthy eating plan. And with so many “diet” fads on the market, it’s nearly impossible to know which ones are safe and effective. In this article, we’ll talk all about the Zone diet so that you can be better prepared to make an informed decision.
What’s The Zone Diet?
The Zone diet is an eating plan designed by biochemist Barry Sears that focuses on achieving proper hormone balance and keeping your blood sugar levels stable. It requires consuming specific portions of each food type rather than eliminating all of a certain group of foods.
Benefits Of The Zone Diet
While the Zone diet doesn’t produce dramatic weight loss immediately, it has a track record for helping participants lose weight gradually. And when it comes to dieting, health experts say slow and steady wins the race.
By eating meals in the recommended proportions and snacking throughout the day, you enable your body to maintain ideal hormone and blood sugar levels, which helps keep inflammation at bay. Those proportions — 40 percent carbs, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fat — provide your body with the right balance of nutrients so that you can stay healthy and slim.
Here are some other reasons to consider the Zone diet:
- Steady weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week;
- Fat loss instead of muscle or water loss;
- Easy fit for vegetarians and vegans;
- Lower sodium levels.
- Diabetes prevention;
- Improved heart health.
Key Elements Of The Zone Diet
Here are the basic components of the diet that you should know before taking the leap:
- Maintaining the exact proportions recommended;
- Consuming 3 meals and 2 snacks a day;
- Thinking of carbs (like bread and pasta) as condiments rather than main or side dishes;
- Counting calories: Women get 1,200 a day, while men are allowed 1,500;
- Filling two-thirds of your plate with non-starchy fruits and vegetables;
- Eating a meal within an hour of waking;
- Snacking right before bed;
- Never letting more than 5 hours pass without eating;
- Exercising moderately and consistently.
Tips and Tricks
Take a look at these tips for making the Zone diet a success:
- Make use of Zone tools from the website, such as the food journal and grocery guide.
- Prepare your own meals to save money.
- Take advantage of the pre-packaged meals available on the Zone website if you prefer to save time over money.
Check out these Zone Diet menus.
To learn more about the Zone diet or other healthy eating options, reach out to the pros at Matrix Age Management today.
