The Zone Diet was created by Barry Sears, Ph.D. in the early 90’s, but has regained popularity recently due to numerous celebrities declaring to be passionate adherents to the program.
The Zone alleges that weight gain is a result of insulin imbalances. The solution, according to Sears, is an organized diet with an exact ratio of 40 percent carbs (mostly vegetables), 30 percent protein (lean meats), and 30 percent fats (vegetable oils). No foods are prohibited, although a drastic reduction on carbohydrates (especially grains and starches) and saturated fats is required.
This diet approach is said to prevent a number of diseases, including heart conditions, certain cancers, diabetes, and even depression. It also claims to slow the aging process.
THE GOOD: Sears claim that a diet with the right balance of proteins, carbs, and fat slows down the release of insulin are right on spot. The Zone Diet encourages the consumption of vegetables and fruits.
THE BAD: Meals require a lot of planning to ensure right proportions and often result in odd combinations (such as fruits, egg whites, and nuts on the same snack). Servings are usually small, especially when it comes to carbohydrates. It is also an expensive diet, since exact combinations require a longer-than-usual weekly shopping list.
THE VERDICT: Sensible diet if you can deal with the complexity of it.