Zone Diet Menu Plans – 1 Diet That Works For You
The Zone Diet is one of the easiest diets to follow, as it combines carbohydrate intake with protein intake, keeping both in balance. The preferred ratio is 1:1, a block of protein paired with a block of carbohydrates. A protein block is 7 grams, while a carbohydrate block is 9 grams. A good example of a protein block is one ounce of raw chicken breast or about 1.5 ounces of sliced deli meats. A carb block is usually 1 cup of greens, greens, or fruit. The key is to always combine these two blocks at each meal. The other key is to have 40 percent complex carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fat in your diet. This is the “magic” formula that combines to make weight loss possible.
timing is everything
Another key to the Zone Diet plan is when you eat, because the Zone Diet keeps your whole body in balance and that helps prevent you from feeling hungry. You should eat a Zone Diet meal or snack about every 4 to 5 hours after your last Zone meal, and about 2 to 2 1/2 hours after your last Zone snack, and you should have a Zone snack about 30 minutes before going to bed.
Zone Diet Menu Plans
You can find numerous Zone Diet menu plans online and in print to help you stick to your Zone Diet. You need to remember that everyone is different, so to start the zone diet plan, you’ll need to determine your specific protein needs. Typically, a man needs around 4 protein blocks per meal, while a woman needs around 3 protein blocks per meal.
Meal plans are built around these needs, and protein blocks can include items like chicken, turkey, sandwich meat, pork, and even Canadian bacon. Carb blocks can include fruits, vegetables, salad greens, and the occasional slice of whole wheat bread.
No-No Zone Diet
You don’t have to count calories or carbs on the Zone Diet, but there are a few things to avoid. Coffee, tea, chocolate and caffeinated soft drinks are excluded, as is alcohol, only one glass of wine is allowed per day. There are also lists of foods in the Zone Diet menu plans that should be avoided, such as pasta, bread, and potatoes, and high-sugar foods such as corn, carrots, peas, bananas, raisins, and grapes. You can have these foods in moderation, but certainly not every day. Some low-carb foods, like bread and pasta, are fine from time to time on the Zone Diet, as long as they’re specifically created to be low-carb.
Benefits of the Zone Diet
One of the benefits of the Zone Diet menu plans is that you can eat almost any food; you only have to monitor a few elements. It also promotes energy and discourages hunger due to meal timing. You shouldn’t be hungry on this diet, and it encourages healthy eating habits that can stay with you for a lifetime. So, check out the Zone Diet today and create a healthier life tomorrow.