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Diets A-Z: The Zone diet
Celebrity followers
Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore
The theory
This high-protein, high fat, low-carbohydrate diet is supposed to decrease hunger, then weight.
The plan
An exact meal plan based upon each person's gender, activity level, and current percentage of body fat is designed to include 40 percent of its calories from carbohydrates, 30 percent from protein and 30 percent from fat. All meals and snacks follow this 40-30-30 distribution ratio, causing the body to work within its peak performance - or 'in the zone' - for maximum energy and weight loss.
Pros
- You will lose weight on this diet due to the very low calorie intake while you enjoy foods high in protein such as roast beef and steaks. Specific meal plans are available to guide you into `the zone.' Fruit and vegetable consumption is pretty good meaning that at least you get sufficient antioxidants.
Cons
- The diet is low in carbohydrates, which can quickly sap your energy levels
- It's also low in fibre and some vitamins and minerals due to the drastic reduction of starches such as pasta, potatoes, and bread products.
- Figuring out how to make each and every meal and snack follow the 40-30-30 ratio can be daunting. To help calculations 'Zone Food Blocks' have been created, and each 'block' contains a standardised quantity of protein, fat or carbohydrate. A certain number of blocks are permitted at each meal.
Duration
Indefinite.
Checklist
Restaurants: Yes.
Alcohol: In moderation.
Caffeine: No.
Need to buy special foods: No
OK for vegetarians: No.
The pros say
The pros say
This diet advocates an intake of carbohydrate, fat and protein in a ratio of 40-30-30. Current UK guidelines suggest that we should be aiming for 50-35-15. In reality the weight loss effect is likely to come from low calorie intakes on this plan, rather than clever realignment of the food groups. Most people also have a tough time figuring out exactly what they should eat on this plan and it turns mealtimes into something of a chore.
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