The Zone Diet

Created by Barry Sears, the Zone diet is another very popular diet these days. The Zone is a higher-fat, lower-carbohydrate and high-protein eating plan. While it is not as inhibiting as other high-protein diets and it allows the dieter to consume a huge range of food, it does state that a small amount of protein needs to be combined with exactly twice the amount of carbohydrates during the week. The carbohydrates consumed should include fruits and vegetables as well. The Zone diet focuses on the theory that our body is most efficient when all meals consist of a certain caloric ratio of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. According to Sears, this ratio should ideally be 30% of calories from proteins, 30% from fats, and 40% from protein. By achieving this ratio, this diet allows your body to be performing at its peak, or in the 'zone' and it is at this stage that the body will have weight loss along with maximum energy.

The disadvantages of this diet include

• There is no scientific evidence stating that the human body performs most efficiently at a ratio of 40-30-30.
• The diet is a low-calorie diet and it is not possible to get your daily requirement of essential vitamins and minerals based on a low-calorie diet.

Advantages include

• Weight loss has been shown to occur by following this diet.
• The diet incorporates the theory of eating a balanced meal by including fruits and vegetables, and grains and beans in the diet.
• The diet's eating plan is simple to follow.

In conclusion, while you may be spoilt for choices as to which diet to choose, it is generally a good idea to plan your diet along with your dietician or doctor, who would be the correct people to direct you in your weight loss program. There are no get-thin-fast diets and you need to realize that by blindly following any diets, you will just be depriving yourself nutritionally. Learn the basics of any diet before you begin the program and combine it with an overall healthy lifestyle to achieve the best weight loss results.