Popular Diets Reviewed: The Zone Diet

Any weight loss on the Zone Diet is due to the decrease in calories, not to the ratio of carbohydrates to protein and fat in each meal and snack. The sample menus included in the book total about 1200 to 1300 calories, which would provide weight loss for most individuals. However, that calorie level is far too low for most people to be able adhere to over the long-term. And I find it unlikely that people would be able to follow the Zone Diet as a lifestyle.

Further, I have concerns about the ratios. The diet limits carbohydrates to 40 percent of your total calories, which is lower than standard recommendations. The general consensus among health professionals is that carbohydrates should actually make up 50 to 60 percent of your total calories.

* Grade: B. This diet encourages a well-balanced diet that includes all food groups. The nutrition recommendations of the Zone Diet follow those of the Dietary Guidelines including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and monounsaturated fats. However, the recommendation for percent of calories from carbohydrates is not consistent with those generally accepted by health professionals.

* Popular Diet Rating System

A: This diet meets accepted standards for a healthy well-balanced diet. It recommends food from all food groups with an emphasis on healthy choices within each food group.
B: This diet meets most accepted standards for a healthy well-balanced diet. It emphasizes healthy foods but does not include food from all food groups.
C: This diet only meets some accepted standards for a healthy well-balanced diet. It does not differentiate between food choices in each food group and therefore does not emphasize healthy foods.
D: This diet does only meets one or two accepted standards for a healthy well-balanced diet.
F: This diet does not meet any accepted standards for a healthy well-balanced diet. It does not differentiate between healthy foods and unhealthy foods and/or does not meet caloric needs.

 

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