The Zone Diet

The theory

The Zone Diet is a high-protein, high fat, low-carbohydrate diet supposed to decrease hunger, then weight.

The plan

With the Zone Diet an exact meal plan based upon each person's gender, activity level, and current percentage of body fat is designed to include 40 percent of its calories from carbohydrates, 30 percent from protein and 30 percent from fat.

All Zone meals and snacks follow this 40-30-30 distribution ratio, causing the body to work within its peak performance - or 'in the zone' - for maximum energy and weight loss.

Pros

With the Zone Diet you will lose weight due to the very low calorie intake while you enjoy foods high in protein such as roast beef and steaks. Specific meal plans are available to guide you into 'the zone.'  Fruit and vegetable consumption is pretty good meaning that at least you get sufficient antioxidants. 

Cons

The zone diet is low in carbohydrates, which can quickly sap your energy levels. Zone is also low in fibre and some vitamins and minerals due its drastic reduction of starches such as pasta, potatoes, and bread products.

Figuring out how to make each and every meal and snack follow the 40-30-30 ratio can be daunting.  To help calculations 'Zone Food Blocks' have been created, and each 'block' contains a standardised quantity of protein, fat or carbohydrate.  A certain number of blocks are permitted at each meal.

Duration

Indefinitely.

Checklist

What the pros say

The Zone diet advocates an intake of carbohydrate, fat and protein in a ratio of 40-30-30. Current UK guidelines suggest that we should be aiming for 50-35-15.  In reality the weight loss effect is likely to come from low calorie intakes on the Zone plan, rather than clever realignment of the food groups.  Most people also have a tough time figuring out exactly what they should eat on this plan and it turns mealtimes into something of a chore.