| One of the most revolutionary diet ideas to come | | | | is actually effective in enabling an individual to lose |
| along is something called the Zone, which was | | | | weight over the long term. |
| originated by Barry Sears, Ph.D. The Zone is | | | | It has been said that the Zone diet is the polar |
| based on the idea that we should return to the | | | | opposite of a vegetarian diet. This is curious, |
| diets of ancient peoples diets which stress fruits, | | | | considering that vegetarians are generally healthy |
| vegetables, and meat. The diet does not deny | | | | and are less likely to suffer from heart disease. |
| people carbohydrates, but simply limits their use. | | | | The fact that vegetarians tend to be slim also |
| Dieters are encouraged to sharply curtail their | | | | seems to poke a hole through Dr. Sears theory |
| intake of pasta and potatoes. The Zone works | | | | that starchy vegetables can lead to weight gain. |
| according to a formula of 40/30/30, meaning 40 | | | | People tend to gravitate to the Zone because it |
| percent carbohydrates, 30 percent fat, and 30 | | | | offers them the opportunity to indulge in foods |
| percent protein. | | | | that would be restricted on other diets. Also, the |
| There is a physiological basis to the Zone. Dr. | | | | diet can be more filling than other weight loss |
| Sears developed the diet in an effort to limit the | | | | plans. The problem, however, is that a number of |
| amount of insulin in the body. This is because a | | | | the claims made about the Zone are unproven. |
| large amount of insulin can lead to a build up of | | | | As a result, despite Dr. Sears research, the diet |
| fat, causing obesity and other medical problems. | | | | has been dismissed as a fad in some quarters. |
| People on the diet are encouraged to obtain their | | | | Dr. Sears contends that people are overweight |
| carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables and | | | | because of insulin resistance; however, it is difficult |
| their fat from olive oil and other monounsaturated | | | | to verify his claims. It would appear that people |
| fats. | | | | are fat for all sorts of reasons because of family |
| The biggest advantage to the Zone diet is that it | | | | history of obesity, eating patterns, emotional |
| can lead to significant weight loss. It is also | | | | eating, and lack of nutritional knowledge. As a |
| healthier than some diets, since it eliminates | | | | result, it might be said that Dr. Sears diet is based |
| non-nutritious carbohydrates and emphasizes | | | | upon a false assumption. |
| fruits and vegetables. The diet encourages people | | | | The Zone benefits from a number of celebrity |
| to eat often at least every five hours. It is also a | | | | endorsements. Actresses in Hollywood credit the |
| low-calorie diet; the typical female dieter will | | | | Zone with helping them to lose weight. On |
| consume only about 1300 calories at most | | | | average, a dieter can expect to lose five pounds |
| following the Zone. Another positive aspect of the | | | | during the initial two weeks and one pound a |
| Zone is that it discourages consumption of junk | | | | week after that introductory period. |
| food, which may be the basis of much weight | | | | Still, some critics charge that the Zone takes the |
| gain. | | | | fun out of eating. Whether this is true or not |
| Some dieticians heartily endorse the Zone, while | | | | depends upon the opinion of the individual dieter. |
| others dismiss it as being too difficult to follow. | | | | However, one thing is clear: the Zone is a diet |
| The diet can also be costly, because of its heavy | | | | phenomenon. Love it or hate it, it's one of the |
| reliance on protein products. In addition, some | | | | hottest diet trends on the market today. And it |
| critics see the Zone as being too complex, forcing | | | | appears that, despite some negative publicity, the |
| dieters to spend too much time trying to do | | | | Zone is here to stay. As always, you should |
| various calculations. | | | | check with your physician before starting any |
| But perhaps the biggest disadvantage of the Zone | | | | weight loss regimen. He or she will closely monitor |
| is its high protein content. Such a diet has been | | | | your progress and can determine whether you |
| linked to heart disease and is actually condemned | | | | are suffering any ill effects as a result of your |
| by the American Heart Association. In addition, | | | | diet. |
| the Heart Association questions whether the Zone | | | | |