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The Zone Diet Pros And Cons: Health, Nutrition, Dieting, Weight Loss And Fitness
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Published: July 9, 2007
One of the most popular weight loss plans today is the Zone Diet. The Zone Diet, the weight loss plan that gained a high level of popularity by the writings of Barry Sears, is the newest health and nutrition fad. The balancing of the ratios between protein and carbohydrates is the foundation of this weight loss plan.
The goal of "The Zone" is to achieve a healthy balance between insulin and glucagon hormones. Insulin helps to store excess calories as fat while glucagon burns excess fat.
Also known as the 40/30/30 diet, this nutrition plan assumes that each meal or snack is calculated according to a balanced ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fat. While this formula has been effective as a weight loss plan, the 40/30/30 plan is a topic of debate by many health and fitness experts. Following are the pros and cons of the Zone Diet that are being argued.
Some benefits of the 40/30/30 formula cited are: 1) it helps to stabilize the blood sugar of the dieter; 2) the the overall nutrition and health of the dieter; and 3) the diet experiences significant weight loss. The weight loss occurs because energy is created by the 40% carbohydrates instead of proteins or fat. The 30% protein helps to release carbohydrates that are stored in the liver. As a result, the body's energy supply feels full and no longer wants to eat. It appears that limiting the types of carbohydrates consumed along with a diet of three to four ounces of low-fat protein during every meal will balance insulin and glucagon. Losing fat and weight while controlling hunger with fewer calories is the ultimate nutritional result. The Zone Diet is believed to be ideal for dieters with Type II diabetes.
In addition, the consumption of healthy foods like fresh fruit, nuts, green vegetables, ample protein intake and the recommended eight glasses of water per day will greatly increase. On the other hand, food high in salt and overly processed are highly discouraged. Because nearly any meal or snack is acceptable, a dieter is never totally deprived of the foods he or she enjoy most. When the "zone" is eventually discovered, gradual and permanent loss is the reward. Better health, more energy, and a clearer mental state are proven results of the Zone Diet.
The greatest con of the Zone Diet is the challenge to discover "the zone." If is not found, weight loss and nutritional benefits will not result. Carbohydrates and caloric intake are additional considerations. The Zone Diet discourages too many carbohydrates which can produce a high level of insulin. Insulation converts carbohydrates into fat and stores them in areas of the body that can easily store fat. Consumers of this diet have to keep a close watch on the caloric intake - snacks should not exceed 100 calories and meals should not be more than 500 calories. Protein requirements determine the amount of calories eaten each day which can result in a low caloric intake. Also, while the 40/30/30 formula of the Zone Diet has not yet been proven, it is certain that 40% carbohydrate intake can greatly affect hypoglycemic or hyperinsulemic dieters.
Although The Zone Diet is still being debated by health and nutrition specialists everywhere, the pros of the plan far outweigh the cons of the plan. The balance between carbohydrates and proteins along with the 40/30/30 formula make the Zone Diet a nutrition and weight loss hit.
Sources:
An Overview about the Zone Diet. Zone Diet Info. 2004. 2 July 2007. http://www.zonedietinfo.com
The Zone Diet - Barry Sear's Bestseller. Ultimate Fat Burner. 1999 - 2003. 2 July 2007. http://www.ultimatefatburner.com/reviews/the-zone- diet.html.
"The Zone Diet." Wikipedia. 7 June 2007. 2 July 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_diet.
Also known as the 40/30/30 diet, this nutrition plan assumes that each meal or snack is calculated according to a balanced ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fat. While this formula has been effective as a weight loss plan, the 40/30/30 plan is a topic of debate by many health and fitness experts. Following are the pros and cons of the Zone Diet that are being argued.
Some benefits of the 40/30/30 formula cited are: 1) it helps to stabilize the blood sugar of the dieter; 2) the the overall nutrition and health of the dieter; and 3) the diet experiences significant weight loss. The weight loss occurs because energy is created by the 40% carbohydrates instead of proteins or fat. The 30% protein helps to release carbohydrates that are stored in the liver. As a result, the body's energy supply feels full and no longer wants to eat. It appears that limiting the types of carbohydrates consumed along with a diet of three to four ounces of low-fat protein during every meal will balance insulin and glucagon. Losing fat and weight while controlling hunger with fewer calories is the ultimate nutritional result. The Zone Diet is believed to be ideal for dieters with Type II diabetes.
In addition, the consumption of healthy foods like fresh fruit, nuts, green vegetables, ample protein intake and the recommended eight glasses of water per day will greatly increase. On the other hand, food high in salt and overly processed are highly discouraged. Because nearly any meal or snack is acceptable, a dieter is never totally deprived of the foods he or she enjoy most. When the "zone" is eventually discovered, gradual and permanent loss is the reward. Better health, more energy, and a clearer mental state are proven results of the Zone Diet.
The greatest con of the Zone Diet is the challenge to discover "the zone." If is not found, weight loss and nutritional benefits will not result. Carbohydrates and caloric intake are additional considerations. The Zone Diet discourages too many carbohydrates which can produce a high level of insulin. Insulation converts carbohydrates into fat and stores them in areas of the body that can easily store fat. Consumers of this diet have to keep a close watch on the caloric intake - snacks should not exceed 100 calories and meals should not be more than 500 calories. Protein requirements determine the amount of calories eaten each day which can result in a low caloric intake. Also, while the 40/30/30 formula of the Zone Diet has not yet been proven, it is certain that 40% carbohydrate intake can greatly affect hypoglycemic or hyperinsulemic dieters.
Although The Zone Diet is still being debated by health and nutrition specialists everywhere, the pros of the plan far outweigh the cons of the plan. The balance between carbohydrates and proteins along with the 40/30/30 formula make the Zone Diet a nutrition and weight loss hit.
Sources:
An Overview about the Zone Diet. Zone Diet Info. 2004. 2 July 2007. http://www.zonedietinfo.com
The Zone Diet - Barry Sear's Bestseller. Ultimate Fat Burner. 1999 - 2003. 2 July 2007. http://www.ultimatefatburner.com/reviews/the-zone- diet.html.
"The Zone Diet." Wikipedia. 7 June 2007. 2 July 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_diet.
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