Is The Zone Diet Weight Loss Program Healthy?
Chris Chew
Most of us have heard of Atkin's diet which calls for almost a
complete carbohydrate cut from our diet for the first 2 weeks
(induction phase)and then to add carbohydrate to our meals
progressively thereafter. Whilst there are many success stories
for this weight loss diet, there are also many criticisms
claiming that Atkin's diet weight loss program is very
unhealthy.
Well, to me, most weight loss diets are unhealthy. Anyway, I
find Doctor Barry Sear's zone diet as one of the better or
healthier weight loss diet. Please do note that I am not
advocating dieting alone as a weight loss plan and strategy. I
believe to lose weight and to keep the extra weight off
permanently, we must combine healthy eating habits with regular
exercise.
So what is the Zone Diet weight loss program?
The Zone Diet plan advocates protein-carb-fat balance in our
meals. Very much like eating balanced meals.
Protein In Zone Diet
Our body needs a constant supply of protein as proteins are our
body's building blocks. This is the reason why zone diet meals
start with low-fat protein. Proteins stimulate glucagon
production, a hormone that helps our body to release stored
carbohydrates (glycogen) from our liver to maintain blood sugar
levels for the brain. However, we should not consume protein in
an amount bigger than the size and thickness of the palm of
your hand, said Dr Barry Sears.
The protein serving should occupy one third of our dining plate
because our body cannot use more protein than that (for ordinary
folks who are not into building muscles).
Do choose the leanest protein as there are likely fats in your
meal and saturated fat in any weight loss diet program should
be kept low.
Carbohydrates In Zone Diet
The protein portion of a zone diet meal must be balanced and on
par with the carbohydrates. Do note that not all carbs are
equal. Fruits and vegetables are good carbs with a low capacity
to stimulate insulin production, while other vegetables (such as
carrots and potatos etc) and grain-based or refined flour
products (white bread, pasta, white rice, cakes etc.) are bad
carbohydrates as they are high glycemic carbs. Since the Zone
diet's goal is insulin control, we must make sure that most of
the carbohydrates are of the low glycemic types.
So one third of our meal should come from protein source and
two thirds from good carbohydrate source like green leafy
vegetables.
Fats In Zone Diet
A Zone diet meal requires fat. Good fats come in two forms:
monounsaturated fats and long-chain omega-3 fats.
Monounsaturated fats come from olive oil, some type of nuts
aznd avocados etc. Long-chain omega-3 fats can come from fish
oil.
Limit bad fats like saturated fat and trans fat. Saturated fat
comes from animal meat and high-fat dairy products. Trans fats
are artificial fats created by the food industry, commonly
listed as partially hydrogenated oil.
Then there is a type of omega-6 fatty acid known as arachidonic
acid, found mainly in fatty red meats, egg yolks and organ
meats. We do need some arachidonic acid in our diet, but too of
this acid much can be damaging to our health just like any other
fat.
Conclusion Of The Zone Diet Weight Loss Program
Sounds like common sense balanced meals isn't it? Would you
include The Zone Diet plan into your weight loss program? What
do you think about The Zone Diet?
About The Author: Chris Chew is a fitness personal trainer and
author of "Burn Fat Build Muscles Fast". More free articles at
his site and blog http://www.sgfitness.com
and
http://sgfitnessonline.blogspot.com
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