Zone Diet

Developed by Barry Sears Ph.D. the zone diet is designed to encourage weight loss by a 40-30-30 ration of calorie intake from carbohydrates, far and protein. The purpose of the zone diet is to promote and regulate healthy balance of insulin. Insulin is a hormone in the body that helps to process sugars and fats.

According to Sears eating too many fat-free carbohydrates and/or too many calories in one meal you increase insulin levels and so increase the bodies natural fat storing process. With a balanced ratio of fats, proteins and carbs your body will burn off excess fat and you will loose weight.

Besides keeping your insulin levels in the "zone" or at a level that is optimal for weight loss and weight control there are three other components to this diet.

The second component is to change the dietary fat type you are consuming. Nonsaturated fats are like from olive oil, guacamole and some nuts are good while saturated fats are not good. The program states that fat slows down the body's food absorption and sends a signal to the brain to stop eating.

The third component is omera-3 fish oils.

Dieters are encouraged to consume more Omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish oils. Some of the health benefits are lowered risk of coronary and heart disease, lowered blood pressure, extensive clotting, joint inflammation, osteoporosis and asthma attacks.

Exercise makes up the fourth component and should be a part of every diet. Physical activity not only burns calories and promotes an overall healthy body but it also lowers insulin levels as an added benefit. A continuous 30 minutes of exercise is recommend and the diet planner recommends taking one of the Zone nutrition bars before and after.