Developed by Dr. Barry Sears, a researcher at Boston University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Zone Diet is an eating plan that focuses on the ideal state of body and mind. This is a state of mind where the body will feel refreshed and at peak energy and performance. The term zone is borrowed from what athletes often call the peak performance zone where their bodies perform optimally.
Dr. Sears, who has studied lipids and their role in the development of chronic disease in the body, conceptualized the diet after his father died of a heart attack in 1970. But the concept was still raw, not until 1982 when the Nobel Prize jury awarded a research grant for the study of the relationship of hormones called eicosanoids and the development of a certain set of diseases including diabetes, heart problems, and even cancer.
In 1995, the doctor completed his research and compiled it into a book titled “Enter The Zone.” It became an international bestseller, topping the charts around the world. To date, it has sold over four million copies. The book was so successful that Dr. Sears published 10 more books on the subject.
Despite this, critics still point out that the theory does not have much merit as there is no scientific evidence for it. Although the zone diet is effective in reducing kilos. Some, in fact, continue to lose 1.5 pounds each week. There have even been people who have not lost kilos with other diets but with the zone diet.
The diet encourages the consumption of grilled meats, lots of fruits and of course vegetables. People on the program will have some meals that are made up of one slice of meat and two-thirds fruit and vegetables. The diet is made up primarily of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fat in the form of monounsaturated fats, such as those found in fruits such as avocados, guacamole, and macadamia nuts.
Carbohydrates are ingested through fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Sometimes pasta, rice, and bread are allowed, but only in small portions. Protein, on the other hand, is ingested through lean cuts of meat and poultry such as chicken and turkey. Fish can also be eaten, as well as soy products.
