The Zone diet – Is it a Safe Diet?

Τhe Zone diet was created by the biochemist Dr. Barry Sears. It is structured in such a way to receive 30% carbohydrates and 30% fats daily. In this way, as he explains in his famous book, Enter The Zone: A Dietary Road, you are balancing the right amount of amino acids and carbohydrates, plus you can control your appetite and do not eat excessive amounts of food.

The diet includes five meals while the portions are normal-sized.

The Zone diet promises fast results.

In the first week, you may lose only 1-2 Kg (3-5 pounds). However, the weight you will lose will be all fat and not water or muscle tissue. As time passes, your clothes will fit better, although the scales might not have much difference.

The Zone Diet Review

What to Εat and What Not to Eat

 In the “Zone” diet you can eat three meals and two snacks per day. Each meal is a combination of low-fat protein (chicken, turkey, fish), carbohydrates (fruits and vegetables), and a small amount of “good” fats (olive oil, almonds, avocados).

Each meal diet in the “Zone” has the following proportions: 30% protein, 30% fat, and 40% carbohydrates.

If you love carbs, this particular diet will be difficult for you because bread and pasta are almost prohibited.

Vegetables and fruits with lots of sugar, such as corn, carrots, bananas, and raisins are also non-proposed. The same goes for red meats with lots of fat.

The daily calorie intake is very important in this diet. Women are permitted up to 1,200 calories a day and men up to 1,500 calories a day.

To operate well on the “Zone” diet, you must faithfully follow these rules.

• You should eat a meal within an hour of your waking in the morning
• You should not let more than five hours go by without eating
• Always eat a small snack before bedtime
• You must strictly apply the rule, 30% protein, 30% fat and 40% carbohydrates at each meal or snack.
• You can not eat only proteins at one meal and the next meal only carbohydrates.

Exercise: The diet suggests moderate exercise, but as often as possible. For example 30 minutes daily aerobics and strength training 5-10 minutes.

Why Do Famous Hollywood Stars Choose The Zone Diet?

For the Hollywood elite, Zone Diet is very convenient. “Easy to follow by someone who has an overloaded program and not access to healthy foods,” says Elyse Resch, R.D., a nutritionist in Beverly Hills.

Also, many restaurants, both in Hollywood and in major cities like New York, including in their menu “Zone” diet meals.

Many celebrities use the specific diet to start losing weight quickly, such as Cindy Crawford, Madonna, Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Carmen Electra, Charlie Sheen, and Demi Moore.

Is the Zone Diet a Safe Diet?

The “Zone” diet is not considered a healthy one thanks to its high content of protein. Its effectiveness seems to be due to caloric restriction alone, while a high intake of animal protein implicates increasing the risk of health issues such as cardiovascular diseases and some forms of cancer.

Generally, it is a shape that has been advertised much and certainly not as dangerous as other fad diets.

However, associations such as the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) do not recommend it as the most suitable for balanced nutrition or even more effective in a weight loss of a balanced diet with more carbohydrates and less protein, which is consistent with the principles of the Mediterranean diet.

In any case, it is dangerous to follow a diet so rich in proteins without first consulting an expert nutritionist or your doctor.

The Zone Diet – Sample  Daily  Menu

One day diet of the “zone” may include…

Breakfast: Pancakes with maple syrup.

Lunch: Lettuce salad with cottage cheese and grilled chicken breast.

Snack: 12 almonds.

Dinner: Grilled fish with brown rice.

Snack: Brownies made with peanut butter and chocolate syrup.

*Before starting any new diet and/or an exercise program please consult your doctor