Weight Loss Articles

When Barry Sears, PhD created what is now recognized as one of the world?s most popular diets, The Zone Diet, it was immediately adopted by millions. Known as the diet of ancient peoples?diets which stress fruits, vegetables, and meat. The main goal of the Zone Diet is not to deny carbohydrates, but simply limit its use. Dieters are encouraged to reduce the consumption of pasta and potatoes. The magical formula of the Zone Diet is 40/30/30, which equals to 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent fat, and 30 percent protein.

Developed for a physiological basis, the Zone?s main goal is to limit the amount of insulin in the body. Too much insulin in the body can lead to a build up of fat, which can cause medical problems ? especially obesity. The Zone diet encourages people to get their carbohydrates from vegetables, fruits, and to get their fat from olive oil and other monounsaturated fats.

Aside from significant weight loss, since the Zone eliminates non-nutritious carbohydrates and emphasizes fruits and vegetables it is considered healthier than many diets. You are encouraged to eat often?every five hours. And being a low-calorie diet; a female dieter can consume about 1300 calories at most. Another great aspect of the Zone is that eating often will significantly reduce any craving for junk food, which is often the basis of weight gain.

Often dismissed as being too difficult to follow, some dieticians heartily endorse the Zone diet. A down side is that the diet can prove to be costly, because it relies heavily on protein products. Also, some Zone diet critics see this diet as too complex, asking dieters to do too many various calculations.

But a diet like the Zone diet which is rich in protein has been linked to heart disease and is actually condemned by the American Heart Association. The Heart Association even questions if weight loss with this diet is even realistic over the long term.

The reason why the Zone diet has been so popular is because it offers them the opportunity to indulge in foods that would otherwise be restricted on other diets. But the problem with the Zone diet lies with a number of the claims made that are unproven. So despite research and claims, it?s been dismissed as a fad by many.

Resistance to insulin can be a big factor with people struggling with weight. And though lots has been written on the glycemic index claims are difficult to verify. It appears that people get fat for many different reasons?family history of obesity, eating patterns, emotional eating, and lack of nutritional knowledge and so because of this, it is said that Dr. Sears? diet is based on false assumptions.

Many celebrities have endorsed the Zone Diet helping make it one of the most talked about diets out there. Many actresses in Hollywood credit the Zone with helping with weight loss. Someone dieting with the Zone Diet can expect to lose five pounds during the first two weeks and then one pound a week after that.

Love it or hate it, the Zone is one of the hottest diet trends around today. And though the negative publicity, the Zone appears to be here to stay. Be sure to check with your physician before deciding any weight loss program.