"The Zone Diet"

Information and Review

"The Zone Diet" by Dr. Barry Sears focuses on a balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The "zone" for maximum calorie burning is 40 percent carbohydrate, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fat. The diet is based on hormones, not calories. It claims most people are insulin resistant, so carbohydrates make them fat. The author claims carbohydrate consumption produces insulin, which causes too many calories to be stored as fat. He also goes on about eicosanoids, chemical moderators that control all hormonal reactions. Carbohydrates create bad eicosanoids which in turn increases insulin production. Sound complicated?

A lot could be written both pro and con regarding "The Zone Diet," along with decreased carbohydrate diets in general. Many swear by them in anecdotal testimonials and you could talk to or read accounts by countless people who have tried these diets, but the reality is that few people succeed in the long term on low carbohydrate diets. Whether the culprit is temptation, re-hydration or the basic reality that humans have a powerful craving for the simplest source of energy which are carbohydrates, those who succeed at losing weight and keeping it off almost always follow the same strategy: they eat balanced nutrition with portion control, add daily exercise to their life and discover a long term motivation to keep the weight off. That motivation is usually a lifestyle that requires a higher level of fitness. With so many weight loss options available such as "The Zone Diet", it's hard to know what to do. But don't be discouraged, there are good plans out there that can help you achieve your goals.