Promoting a “balanced nutritional approach,” the Zone Diet is a complex eating plan that divides each meal into proportion of 40% carbohydrates, 30% proteins, and 30% fats. The “Zone” refers to the state in which the body is at its physical peak, presumably from following this diet.
The Zone diet takes off pounds no more or less than other popular plans. At least that’s the word from researchers at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. They randomly assigned 160 overweight volunteers to one of four weight-loss regimens: Atkins, Dean Ornish, Weight Watchers, and the Zone. After one year, average weight loss among participants was a modest 5 percent regardless of the program. Sears presents his own findings, however. In a six-week study of 91 slightly overweight volunteers, women on the diet lost an average of 7 pounds of fat, and their overall body-fat percentage dropped from 29 percent to 26 percent. Men lost an average of 3 pounds of fat and dropped from 20 percent to 17 percent body fat.
It is unclear if the diet could be called healthy. It’s great that the Zone promotes monounsaturated fats like olive oil, olives, and peanuts, as well as the omega-3 fats found in fish oils. And 30 percent of calories from fat are a moderate approach. What’s uncertain: thirty percent protein is a little higher than most health organizations recommend. And 40 percent carbs is slightly lower than advisable. Without long-term data on the health effects of low-carb, high-protein diets, there’s no guarantee of safety.
The Zone Diet – Summary
The plan does offer a healthy approach to fat, along with an emphasis on lean proteins and plenty of fruits and vegetables. It’s just too little food once you’ve shed the pounds. After reaching their weight-loss goals, dieters need to slightly increase portions.