Moderate Diets for Weight Loss

The Zone Diet

The zone diet works temporarily, because it is low in calories.

Basic concept

The Zone Diet promotes eating a balanced amount of protein, carbohydrate, and fat every time you eat. The idea is to keep your blood sugar in check, within a tight “zone.”

How it works

Divide your plate into three equal sections. Fill one section with low-fat protein. Fill the remaining sections with vegetables and fruit. Add a “sprinkle” of fat. That’s it. Some people call it the 40-30-30 plan. You get 40% of your meal from carbohydrate, 30% from protein, and 30% from fats.

Other guidelines include:

• Eat within 1 hour of waking.
• Eat three meals and two snacks a day.
• Keep bread, pasta, grains, and starches to a minimum.
• Drink at least eight 240 mL (8 fl oz) glasses of water a day.

On the menu

• Lean meat and protein
• Fruits and vegetables
• Olive oil
• Low-fat dairy

Off the menu

• Sugar
• Processed foods
• High-fat dairy

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Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated: April 11, 2007
Medical Review:	Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine
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