Safe and effective
Written: Aug 10 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy, don't feel like you are dieting
Cons: Bread and pasta lovers are in trouble
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| markpal's Full Review: The Zone Diet |
This is a diet which is effective, safe and easy. The nuts and bolts of this diet is to try to eat each meal within "The Zone". Simply put, one wants to have approximately 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fats (the good fats, more on that later) with each meal.
Protein can come from virtually any source on this diet. The carbs in this diet is where the sacrifice (for some) will come. Those used to eating rice cakes, lots of bread, pasta, and rice will have to re-learn and adjust the way they eat. On this diet, one wants to eat mainly fruits and vegetables as the carbohydrate source. These foods are much more nutritious in that they have much more vitamins than the carbs which are mainly sugars and are empty. However, if you are going to eat say pasta for this meal, realize how much carbs are in there (a lot!) and eat accordingly to the portion of protein you got in that meal, to keep it in the 40-30-30 range.
The fats are also essential to each meal. These should be the unsaturated variety. Examples of this are most nuts (macadamia nuts are the best), olives, guacamole, olive oil, etc. The type to avoid are the saturated fats, such as in cheese. Most people are accustomed to avoiding fats like the plague while dieting, but this is actually doing you a disservice.
As for why this is, I will let the good Doctor explain that in his book as there isn't enough room herel. But I have been eating this way for a while now, and now it is simply habit. I never feel as if I am "dieting" or depriving myself. And if you go out of The Zone for one meal, no big deal. Just get back in with your next meal. Just don't do it too often and you will be successful.
On a side note, I am familiar with the Dr. Atkins diet as well. That one is similar to The Zone, except the carbs are cut waaaay down, drastically. And on that, virtually all protein and fat is good, and ALL carbs are the enemy. This diet will lose the weight, but I feel it isn't as safe, especially when it comes to clogging the arteries, as bacon and fatty cheeses are encouraged. Plus when the book says as little as 3 grapes (a day!) can throw you out of whack, I feel this diet isn't practical. Everyone will want to eat that piece of cake now and then (who doesn't go to weddings ever?), just get back on your formula after.
Give The Zone a try. You can enjoy a very wide variety of foods, and you don't have to worry about it being detrimental to your health in the long run (sorry Dr. Atkins).
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
markpal
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Location: Fremont, CA
Reviews written: 14
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