Most Popular Diet and Fitness Programs

Number three in our list of top ten most popular Diets, The Zone Diet Review : Created by Dr Sears in 1995 The Zone Diet promotes a low carbohydrate, low fat, high protein balance in our diets. Is it the right Diet for you? Read our full Zone Diet Review and decide for yourself.

What they say

"In the Zone, almost magical metabolic changes occur. You'll release stored fat from your fat cells to be used as fuel by your body twenty-four hours a day, allowing you to simultaneously lose weight and enjoy more energy. You'll also reduce the likelihood of chronic disease and live a longer, healthier life. It's as easy as eating the right combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fat at every meal and snack."

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Our Review

The Zone Diet really started in 1995 when Dr. Sears published his book, The Zone, which became a number-one New York Times best seller. He stated that we should eating the correct combinations of proteins, carbohydrates, and fat at every meal and snack. By doing this will he claims will not only help with weight loss but improve our health in general.
He states that one of the major benefits of eating this way is a balance in the bodies blood sugars, which in turn promotes good health.
The correct combination, often referred to as the 40:30:30 ratio by followers of the Zone Diet is, 40 percent of calories from carbohydrate, 30 per cent from protein and 30 per cent from fat.

The Zone Basic Rules

• Make sure that every meal and snack contains low fat protein, carbohydrate preferably fruits and vegetables, and a small amount of fat from things like nuts or olive oil.
• Always eat a meal within one hour after waking.
• Eat five times per day, three meals, two snacks.
• do not go more than 5 hours without a meal or snack to keep your blood sugar levels stable.
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
• Drink lots of water
• If you go off track, just start again at the next meal it isn't a disaster.

To make it easier to follow the zone diet a system of ‘Zone Food Blocks’ have been developed. Each block contains a standard amount of carbohydrate, protein or fat. In order to lose weight, a certain number of blocks are allocated for each meal and snack. The number of Zone Food Blocks you are allowed each day is worked out depending on your weight .height and hip circumferences. Generally, the bigger you are, the more blocks you are allowed. For example, a woman who weighs 10st, is 5ft 2in, has a 28in waist and 37in hips should have 12 blocks a day.

Sample Zone Recipe

Maryland-Style Seafood Chowder

Ingredients

2 1/4 ounces medium shrimp, large dice*
2 1/4 ounces scallops, large dice
1 cup 1 percent milk
3/4 cup onions, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup water chestnuts, diced
1 1/2 cups tomato, chopped
2 teaspoons corn starch
1 1/3 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon parsley
1 tablespoon cilantro
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Dash hot pepper sauce

4 blocks

The Good

• Effective because of the low calories
• You can eat steak and other high protein meats
• Encourages low fat foods

The Bad

• Limiting carbohydrates is not recommended by most experts and can lead to tiredness and nausea
• Complex and difficult to follow correctly.