Understanding the Zone Diet Food List

One of the keys to following the popular Zone Diet is knowing what is on the Zone Diet food list and what isn’t.

The Zone Diet is not only effective at helping celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Sandra Bullock keep their famously thin and fit figures, but it is also an ideal weight loss plan for those trying to overcome obesity and develop a healthier lifestyle.

Understanding the food recommendations of the Zone Diet is one of the first steps in starting this diet.

The Zone Diet is based on a specific 40:30:30 ratio of:

• Carbohydrates
• Protein and
• Fat.

The theory is that if meals consist of this perfect ratio, blood sugar, or insulin, levels will remain in a perfect “zone.”

When insulin levels are tightly controlled, the body will burn fat more efficiently.

The Zone Diet list is created to help keep insulin levels in “the zone.”

Carbohydrates are an important part of the Zone Diet food list.

Eating the right carbohydrates and avoiding the wrong ones are an integral part of losing weight on this diet.

Most of your carbohydrates each day should come from fruits and vegetables.

Whole grains are another source of carbohydrates, however, they should be a secondary source.

Processed foods like:

• White bread
• Pasta and
• Rice are not prohibited, but should be limited as much as possible.

Protein is also an important part of the Zone Diet food list.

Low-fat protein sources such as:

• Skinless chicken and turkey breast
• Egg whites and
• Most seafood are recommended.

Soy protein sources are also an option, especially for vegetarians.

Other protein sources are allowed, but it is recommended they be eaten in moderation and leaner cuts of meat chosen.

For example, choose very lean ground beef, rather than the fatter versions.

Lastly, fat is a part of the Zone Diet food list.

While many diets try to eliminate all fat, the Zone Diet recognizes that there are good sources of fat as well as bad ones.

The Zone Diet stresses eating good sources of fat like:

• Nuts
• Olive oil and
• Avocados.

These can increase HDL levels, or “good cholesterol.”

The risk of heart disease decreases as “good cholesterol” levels increase and “bad cholesterol” levels decrease.

While no foods are technically banned from the Zone Diet food list, there are a number of foods that are recommended to be eaten only occasionally or in moderation.

Basically, unhealthy, processed carbohydrates and high-fat foods are not recommended.

Keep in mind; even if you do indulge in some of these foods, the diet is not ruined.

Make sure your next meal follows the 40:30:30 ratio, and you will be back in “the zone.”

When trying to overcome obesity, the Zone Diet can be a perfect solution.

Just remember: You must also include other aspects into your weight loss program such as the steps below.

• Incorporate a proven, complete nutritional program into your daily life.
• Enhance your nutritional program with a complete mutivitamin supplement because no nutritional program is perfect.
• Use a behavior modification and motivational program that will help you stay on track with your nutritional plan.
• Exercise at home with your own:
  Treadmill

  Stairstepper

  Exercise bike

  Elliptical trainer

  Hand weights or

  An aerobic video.

• See what kinds of weight loss aids your health insurance covers such as:
  Hypnotism

  Gym membership discounts

  Nutritional counseling.

By following the Zone diet food list and the steps above, you will be well on your way to overcoming obesity once and for all.