The Zone

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The Zone combines 40% of calories from carbohydrate, 30% from protein, and 30% from fat, which is why it is also known as the 40-30-30 plan. It works by combining the right ratio of carbohydrates to proteins and fats in order to control the insulin in the bloodstream. Too much of the hormone (insulin) can increase fat storage in the body. By doing this you are actually optimizing your body’s metabolic function.

With The Zone diet you do not actually have to cut out any food group, although foods with high fat and carbohydrates like grains, starches, and pastas should be avoided. Fruits, vegetables, olive oil, almonds, and avocados are recommended foods for this diet.

The main problem with The Zone diet people seem to have is the fact that you have to restrict certain foods from your diet, where as there are plenty of diets known for success that do not restrict any type of food. It is also said to be expensive, inconvenient, time consuming, complicated, and hard to stay on.

Barry Sears, the creator of The Zone, says you can test to see whether you are hormonally correct by following the Zone diet and see how you feel four hours later. The Zone diet is not known for speed in fact it is one of the slower diets. In the first two weeks on the diet you are expected to lose at least 5lb, after which you will lose 1-1.5lb every week.

Most experts still remain skeptical about the theory that weight loss is due to regulating insulin levels. These experts believe any weight loss occurring while on this diet is only due to the fact that you are taking in fewer calories than the body uses.

In my opinion this diet turns eating into work rather than a pleasure. Counting food blocks in The Zone diet is very time consuming. There are plenty of other low calorie diets out there that don't require you to count food blocks and weigh and measure everything before you eat it. If you are planning on buying the prepackaged food from The Zone you should expect to pay a lot of money. This diet is in my opinion time consuming, expensive, and stressful.