Created by Barry Sears, Ph.D.,you may ask does the Zone diet plan really work? It is one of the most complicated and strict plans around, so Weight Loss for Good's Heather Taylor decided to check out the Zone diet plan in detail to see what's what.

The Zone diet program is based upon consistent insulin control coupled with the supplementation of high-dose fish oil in the diet in order to modulate the synthesis of arachidonic acid.

The balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats in a 40%-30%-30% ratio achieves the insulin control, which in turn is meant to optimise the body's metabolic function by regulating the blood sugar levels.

Insulin Regulation and Weight Loss

The regulation of insulin production during the Zone Diet plan is claimed to maximize fat loss and reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease. This regulation also results in greater physical and mental performance and increased blood flow.

The Zone Diet Plan

The Zone's eating plan is a combination of a small amount of low-fat protein, fats, and carbohydrates in the form of fibre-rich vegetables and fruits - the 40%-30%-30% ratio being observed at all times. Proteins should be eaten in every meal and snack. Carbohydrates should be twice the size of the protein portion. These include vegetables, beans, and whole-grains. "Unfavorable carbohydrates" such as brown rice, pasta, bananas, bagels, etc. should be eaten in smaller portions. The main portion of the fat in the diet should consist of heart healthy monounsaturated fat.

Dieting Results

The main problem with the zone diet is that the 40%-30%-30% ratio is very strict and hard to follow. This is made worse as each meal has to be split into blocks within your own unique combination. As this plan is so complicated it has over the years been simplified, but can still be a real problem to stick to. It seems that although weight loss is achieved on this diet it may have very little to do with the regulation of insulin levels and it's effect on metabolism. It is more likely that the loss is a result of the low amount of calories consumed - in effect it is a low calorie diet.

The positive side of this diet is that it includes a good range of fruits and vegetables and is low in saturated fats. Like a lot of the other popular diets it also restricts the amount of low nutrition carbohydrates in the diet.

The main drawback to the Zone Diet is that it is very complicated to follow, and is claimed not to work if not followed exactly. The diet also calls for the six meals per day, which can be a problem for a lot of people to fit in. The restricted calorie intake also makes the diet hard to keep up.

If you are thinking about going on this diet you will need to either buy and read the book or get some serious online help. We have added some book information which you can find here - Zone Diet Books.