The Zone is based on a 'simple' formula. Many people consider this a low carb plan, but we prefer to call it carb controlled. The plan sounds technical, but there must be something to it since there are loads of Zone books taking up entire shelves in book stores, with more Zone books coming out all the time. Getting "In The Zone" is a hormonal state that your body achieves when the right percentage of foods are eaten. This leads to optimal health, peak performance, and weight loss, according to Dr Sears. One thing is for sure, this is a balanced, reduced calorie plan - it might be complex, but it is certainly not unhealthy.

How it works
The idea behind the plan is that we will reduce our insulin (which is a hormone) production, and draw from the body's stored fat for energy. In the end, this means we're going to be fat burning machines that don't get the munchies. Now we can't do this if we're eating all the wrong foods and spiking our insulin production. Therefore, Zoners will be eating on the 40/30/30 plan - 40% protein, and 30% each of fat and carbs. The easy way to do this is to eat in 'blocks' that the Zone has designated for each food. Typically, men eat meals in blocks of 4, and women eat meals in blocks of 3. Snacks are a single block each. If you are eating in blocks of 3, then you will have 3 blocks each of fat, protein, and carbs.

How much can we get for a block? A protein block is about 7 grams of protein, which is: 2 ounces of shrimp 1/4 cup fat free cottage cheese 1 ounce of chicken 2 egg whites A carb block is 9 grams of carbs, which is: 1/2 an apple 2 tomatoes 3 cups of cooked broccoli 1/2 cup blueberries A fat block is about 1.5 grams, which is: 1 Tablespoon avocado 6 peanuts 1/3 teaspoon oil 3 olives [Continue to part two of the Zone Diet review]