The ‘zone’ is the body’s physical state when it achieves a perfect hormonal balance. The term is borrowed from the athlete’s jargon of reaching their ‘zones’ of peak performance. Dr. Barry Sears, the creator of the controversial zone diet, believes that similar to the athletes, people can be in a perfect state of mind and body during which it can function to its maximum efficiency. This can be achieved by manipulating the levels of hormones in the body through the kinds of food eaten, in the right proportions, on a daily basis.
Natural mechanisms in the body utilize energy derived from food. Nutrients and vital substances help keep a healthy and strong body. As soon as these nutrients get depleted in the bodily system, the natural mechanism is to feel hunger. In response, a person eats and gains saturation, feeling satisfied in the next hours. However, not all of the energy eaten gets burned naturally by physical activities. Some gets stored as fats.
Glucose is commonly the body’s major source of energy derived from the simplest carbohydrate. Foods that contain carbohydrates are bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and rice. Another type of carbohydrate found on fruits is the fructose. Some vegetables contain a small amount of carbohydrates. As one eats, carbohydrates transform into glucose once it enters the body, which is then absorbed by the hormone called insulin in the bloodstream. The problematic part stems from the flow when after utilizing glucose for body energy, the remaining amount gets stored into the fat tissues. Over a long period of time, these fat cells become bigger and the person puts on weight.
The zone diet is actually a plan to control the body’s insulin production. Hormonal balance can be achieved by sticking to a meal with a specific ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% fat and 30% proteins, popularly known as the 40-30-30 ratio. The high protein content makes the body release glucagon hormones, which in turn triggers the liver to release the stored carbohydrates. The presence of carbohydrates then consequently gives more glucose to be used as energy, giving the signal to the body that it is full, with enough energy supply. This will effectively stop the person from eating more. Having this balance of glucagon and insulin hormones by setting food intake in the right proportions will result to successfully losing weight. This whole scenario is the process by which the zone diet works.
Processed foods, too salty ones and those that contain saturated fats are taboos to this kind of diet. Drinking 8 glasses of water daily, eating green and leafy vegetables including fruits and nuts are highly recommended. To stay in the zone, so to speak, calorie consumption is conscientiously monitored. A meal should not exceed 500 in calories and a snack should be within 100 calories.
Aside from losing unnecessary weight and fats, the zone diet can effect other important benefits. It is also known to cure diabetes and other cardiovascular, chronic ailments. Sure enough, if one is given the chance to achieve these benefits without being prohibited to enjoy food, going into the zone is quite worth it.