How Can Zone Diet Recipes Help Me Lose Weight?
Dr. Barry Sears developed the Zone Diet. The diet uses the 40/30/30 strategy. This means that you consume 40% carbs, 30% fat, and 30% protein. The good Dr. Sears advocates a balanced diet plan in order to lose weight and avoid diseases.
The Zone Diet focuses on insulin production as the major facet of weight loss. Consuming foods that raise blood sugar and stimulate insulin production are bad for you. Excess insulin is stored as fat. When you eat foods that rapidly produce insulin your body is encourage to store fat rather than burn it for energy. Spikes in insulin are believed to cause heart disease and diabetes.
The Zone diet is specific about the types of foods that help keep insulin in check. Carbohydrates like those found in fruits and vegetables are better than those found in anything made from white flour. Processed foods are a no-no since they contain plenty of empty calories that turn to fat in the body.
On the Zone Diet you’ll eat 3 daily meals and two snacks. Your snacks, of course, will prevent hunger between meals and prevent you from overeating during meals. Choose carefully though and avoid empty calories that will spike insulin production. Your meals will adhere to the 40/30/30 rule. Meaning 40% will come from vegies like corn, cauliflower, beans, squash, peppers and the like. 30% of your calories will come from protein. A good portion measuring device is to eat a piece of protein (chicken, steak, fish etc.) that is about the same size as your palm. And any excess fat should be removed before eating.
Eating enough fat is very important because good fats slow digestion and provide steady energy. Slower digestion means that your body will work on digesting and you won’t immediately feel hungry. The Zone Diet suggests good fats like olive and canola oil and recommends eating nuts as they contain good fats as well.
Foods that spike insulin must be avoided at all costs. Candy, cakes, pies, and other snacks clearly cause insulin spikes and must be avoided. However, other foods can be just as bad. For example breads, pasta noodles, and heavy starches can have the same effect as candy and cake. So try not to eat too much of these foods either especially because these foods are so addictive.
The Zone diet provides affordable pre-packed foods to help you get started and stick to the diet. Also, we can provide you with dozens of sources of zone diet recipes. With just a few changes to your weekly grocery list you’ll be Zone Diet Compliant! In fact, your family probably won’t even notice the change to their menu once you do the switch.
November 18 2008 04:09 am | Health
