Dr. Barry Sears’ Zone Diet Review

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Costs: Membership is free; however, you may purchase Zone supplements, prepackaged foods, and other products at various prices. (Click here for FREE 7 Day Meal Planner Kickstart Your Health & Wellness Regimen with The Zone Diet)

Features of the Zone Diet...

Dr. Barry Sears developed an eating plan that was originally designed for cardiovascular patients. The diet was first tested on world-class athletes. Because most people fall into a category between heart patients and world-class athletes, the Zone Diet was deemed suitable for everyone.

Dr. Barry Sears’ Zone Diet is not just a way of eating. It is a healthy, balanced way of living, which includes:

Eating Plan (The Simplified Approach): Meals should consist of lean proteins, healthy fats, and healthy carbohydrates (fruits and vegetables). Healthy snacks are also allowed. Portions may be easily measured out by dividing your plate into thirds. One-third of your plate should be lean protein. Two-thirds of your plate should be fruits and vegetables. (Avoid such foods as bananas and corn, however.) A dash of monounsaturated fats (i.e. olive oil or avocado) finishes off your meals. This approach is used early in the Zone Diet to get you started on your weight-loss venture.
Zone Blocks™ (The Precision Approach): Use the online Zone Block Calculator to find out how many Zone Blocks you are allowed to consume in a day. The more active you are, the more Zone Blocks you will be allowed. The online Zone Blocks Guide will help you plan meals and snacks in exact proportions.
Zone 123™: This provides information to help you wisely select prepackaged foods, such as microwavable dinners. Using the simple method, meals should have 2 grams of protein and one gram of fat for every 3 grams of carbohydrates.
Free access to almost 1,000 recipes on ZoneDiet.com: With so many recipes from which to choose, you aren’t stuck eating the same old dishes day after day. In fact, meals never have to be boring on the Zone Diet.
Online community and support to help you reach your weight-loss and fitness goals: Free access to online forums, testimonials, articles, and other resources.
Free online tools: Get access to online guides, the Zone Block and Body Fat Calculator, and a 7-day meal planner.
Exercise: The Zone Diet encourages regular physical activity to get lean and fit, to stay lean and fit, and to ward off aging.

Our Review – The Zone Diet

Dr. Barry Sears’ Zone Diet is a really good diet plan on the surface. It focuses on nutritious, balanced meals. It even allows for healthy snacks. Dr. Sears came up with a diet that is good for everyone, from cardiovascular patients up to advanced athletes.

The Zone Diet also encourages an active lifestyle to improve fitness and ward off aging. (In my opinion, exercise is an important aspect of any weight-loss program.) Between the eating plan designed by Dr. Barry Sears and regular exercise, the Zone Diet is supposed to produce more energy and weight-loss without hunger.

According to research, however, weight loss among those who have tried Dr. Barry Sears’ Zone Diet has been below average. Evidently, the problem with the Zone Diet is that there is too much math involved. First, you have to figure out how many Zone Blocks ™ you’re allowed each day. Then, how do you know you’ve come up with the correct number? Trying to measure out just the right proportions of proteins to carbs and fats can be confusing and frustrating, as well.

Even with all the tools provided on the Zone Diet website, there is still a lot of guesswork involved in following this particular weight-loss program. No wonder weight-loss success under Dr. Sears’ plan has been a bit under par.

Note: Before beginning any weight-loss or exercise program, consult with your medical professional.

Written by Cyndi Waters, Fitness Researcher and Writer