WaterFilter.com

Is The Zone Diet Weight Loss Program Healthy?

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?

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

MORE ARTICLES:

Rocon Uses Adobe Flash Technology to Present State-of-the-Art Water Saver for Resistance Welding
Rocon LLC is using Adobe Flash next-generation video technology to present the state-of-the-art in monitoring cooling water to resistance welding cells. Visitors to the Rocon website can view a Flash movie that features colorful animation to demonstrate DeltaPoint water savers and tip-loss monitors in protecting critical welds.

How To Get Your Hot Water Straight From The Sun
Hot water straight from the sun may sound too good to be true, but even in the UK a solar hot water system can supply you with over 50% of your hot water needs over the year (the other 50% coming from a conventional gas boiler or electric heater). With recent high energy prices, and concerns about Climate Change, more and more people are looking to take advantage of this tried and tested technology to save energy in their home.

A Great White Water Rafting Adventure For Thrill Seekers
Rafting is one of the most challenging sports in practice today; it requires your full body and mind attention at all times in order to maneuver and work along with the team. You can have a white water rafting adventure of a lifetime if you follow the rules and enjoy teamwork.

Kentwood Springs Bottled Water Company Serves as Official Sponsor of Louisiana State University Athletics
Company supports sports teams, produces exclusive product: "Tiger Water."

Fast Lubes and Carwashes, Oil and Water; Do they mix?
The fact that 28% of all fast Lubes operate some type of carwash is intriguing indeed. Of course many start as car washes first and then they have been approached with Oil Company Brand Incentives.

Challenge Response Spam Filters Explained
As the flood of spam increases end users are looking for new and more efficient solutions to block spam. In turn software developers are knocking themselves out trying to come up with the killer app that will stop spam forever.

Smart for Life? Invites Pure Weight Loss Clients to Lose Weight the Smart Way
Smart for Life? Weight Management Centers is offering Pure customers $100 towards program fees at participating Smart for Life? Centers*.

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel Helps Guests Make and Keep Healthy New Year's Resolutions
With the additions of a state-of-the-art fitness center and world class spa, Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel is helping guests make ... and keep, New Year's resolutions to ensure guests are happy and healthy this year.

The Secret To Live A Sporty And Healthy Lifestyle In Positive Self Development For Sport And Life
All of us want to lead a happy and tension free life. Man, in modern times has become so entangled in the cobwebs of busy lifestyle and enormous work pressure that he often tends to ignore himself. Man in its quest to succeed; keep participating in the unending rat race where each person tries to suppress the other for his own materialistic gains. Interestingly, these things gradually take its toll on an individual. Constant struggle to succeed in each and every sphere of life, toiling hard at the cost of ignoring one?s own well being proves detrimental to a person?s mental and physical well being. As a result, a person ends up being fatigued, frustrated and loses his faith and self confidence. This is one of the prime reasons why practicin...

Pregnancy Tip: 3 Invaluable Tips For Achieving A Healthy Pregnancy.
At the end of this article, you would have discovered 3 very important tips that will help you maintain - from start to finish - a healthy pregnancy!

New CookTop Cover Helps Users Create Additional Countertop Space
Designers, homeowners and remodelers can expand kitchen serving space with sleek panache using the brand new CootTop Cover. This enhancement fits easily over an existing cooktop to create a seamless serving space. Cooktop cover is also an invaluable safety enhancement, keeping pets and children away from control knobs.

It Takes Too Much Time To Eat Healthy And Lose Weight
Is that your excuse for not eating healthy and losing those extra pounds you've packed on? Do you think that eating healthy means you have to spend all day Sunday in your kitchen prepping fresh vegetables and putting them in single serve baggies so you have food to eat the rest of the week?

Bosch Appliances | Vacuum Cleaner, A Handy Appliance For Healthy And Hygienic Surroundings
Are you tackling difficulties, disagreeable tasks or work that usually frustrates you Don?t worry

The Myths About Coffee
Millions of people out there love to drink coffee on a daily basis It is often something we grab in the mornings