ABSTRACT
In 1995, Barry Sears, MD (1947-) created the zone diet after the popularity of the low-fat diets of the late 1980s. He suggests that it is not low-fat diets that are related to weight gain and chronic diseases but rather hormonal imbalances. He claims that a diet balanced in fat, carbohydrates, and protein will lead to balanced insulin levels and lower caloric requirements. The recommended diet consists of meals in which 40 percent of the calories come from carbohydrates, 30 percent from protein, and 30 percent from fat. Many nutritionists place the Zone Diet in the category of high-protein diets. By eating this balance of macronutrients, the person will prevent the body from releasing the large quantities of insulin that make people hungry right after eating. The lower insulin levels prevent the blood sugar levels from dropping too rapidly, which leads to increased satiety. In addition Sears says that eating a “hormonally balanced” meal allows the person to eat fewer calories, which again leads to weight loss.
