The Zone diet is a "metabolic state in which the body works at peak efficiency," and that state is created by eating an accurate balanced ratio of carbohydrates (40%), fat (30%) and proteins (30%), which control your body’s insulin production.
The Zone Diet was developed by a former MIT biotechnology researcher, Dr. Barry Sears. The Zone Diet is named so because there exists a "zone" where hormones like insulin and eicosanoids are neither too high nor too low and thus just where they need to be for ideal health.Dr. Sears has formulated "food blocks" that represent a standardized amount of carbs, fats, or protein. One must allocate the correct number of blocks for each macronutrient. The number of food blocks is based upon one's height and waist and hip circumference.
What is a block?
A block is a unit of measure used to
simplify the process of making balanced
meals.
7 grams of protein = 1block of protein
9 grams of carbohydrate = 1 block of
carbohydrate
1.5 grams of fat = 1 block of fat
(There is an assumption that there is
about 1.5 grams of fat in each block
of protein, so the total amount of fat
needed per 1 block meal is 3 grams.)
When a meal is composed of equal
blocks of protein, carbohydrate, and fat,
it is 40 % carbohydrate, 30 % protein
and 30% fat
How do I determine my daily allowance of blocks?
http://www.drsears.com/Resources/BodyFatCalculator
You must register as a user to use the Zone Block Calculator
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Online Resources:
Crossfit Journal Issue 21: Zone Meal Plans
http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/cfjissue21_May04.pdf
Dr. Barry Sear's The Zone
www.zonediet.comZone Block Quick Reference
http://www.mitymous.net/weights/zoneblox.htm
Paleo-Zone Recipes
http://stevepaleo.blogspot.com/
Zone Recipes (non Paleo)
http://www.the-zone-diet-recipes.com/recipe-index.htm
Recommended reading:
Mastering the Zone by Dr. Barry Sears
