| The Zone Diet is one of the simplest diets to follow, | | | | about 4 protein blocks a meal, while a woman needs |
| because you match your carbohydrate intake with | | | | about 3 protein blocks a meal. |
| your protein intake, keeping both of them in balance. | | | | Meal plans are built around these needs, and protein |
| The preferred ratio is 1:1, one block of protein matched | | | | blocks can include items like chicken, turkey, deli |
| with one block of carbohydrate. A protein block is 7 | | | | sandwich meat, pork, and even Canadian bacon. |
| grams, while a carbohydrate block is 9 grams. A good | | | | Carbohydrate blocks can include fruits, vegetables, |
| example of a protein block is an ounce of raw chicken | | | | salad greens, and an occasional slice of wholegrain |
| breast or about 1.5 ounces of sliced deli meat. A | | | | bread. |
| carbohydrate block is usually 1 cup of greens, | | | | Zone Diet No-No's |
| vegetables, or fruit. The key is to always combine | | | | You don't have to count calories or carbohydrates on |
| these two blocks at every meal. The other key is to | | | | the Zone Diet, but there are some things you should |
| have 40 percent complex carbohydrates, 30 percent | | | | avoid. Coffee, tea, chocolate, and caffeinated soft |
| protein, and 30 percent fat in the diet. This is the | | | | drinks are out, and so is alcohol, only one glass of wine |
| "magic" formula that combines to make weight loss | | | | per day is permitted. There are also food lists in the |
| possible. | | | | Zone Diet menu plans that should be avoided, such as |
| Timing is Everything | | | | pasta, bread, and potatoes, and high-sugar foods like |
| Another key to the Zone Diet plan is timing when you | | | | corn, carrots, peas, bananas, raisins, and grapes. You |
| eat, because the Zone Diet keeps everything in your | | | | can have these foods in moderation, but certainly not |
| body balanced, and that helps keep you from getting | | | | every day. Some low-carb foods like bread and pasta |
| hungry. You should eat a zone diet meal or snack | | | | are OK occasionally on the Zone Diet, as long as they |
| about every 4 to 5 hours after your last Zone meal, | | | | are created specifically to be low-carb. |
| and about 2 to 2 1/2 hours after your last Zone snack, | | | | Zone Diet Benefits |
| and you should have a Zone snack about 30 minutes | | | | One of the benefits of Zone Diet menu plans is that |
| before you go to bed. | | | | you can eat just about any food; you just have to |
| Zone Diet Menu Plans | | | | monitor some items. It also encourages energy and |
| You can find numerous Zone Diet menu plans online | | | | discourages hunger because of the timing of meals. |
| and in print that will help you follow your Zone Diet. | | | | You shouldn't be hungry on this diet, and it encourages |
| You have to remember that each person is different, | | | | healthy eating habits that can stay with you a lifetime. |
| so to begin the Zone Diet plan, you'll need to determine | | | | So, check out the Zone Diet today, and create a |
| your specific protein needs. Typically, a man needs | | | | healthier you, tomorrow. |