The Zone: Food as A Drug
The Zone Diet doesn't count calories. Instead of emphasizing calories, the Zone diet views food as a 'drug' which dramatically affects your body's production of the hormone insulin. It is believed that significant swings in insulin levels affect mood, endurance, mental acuity, and weight gain or loss. Over time, uncontrolled insulin levels will have a negative impact on your overall health and well being.

Four Keys to Entering the Zone
1) the Zone diet, 2) the use monounsaturated fats, 3)supplementation of diet with Omega-3 fish oils, and 4) exercise.

According to the Zone Diet the ideal ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats is 40-30-30 respectively.

Each Zone meal begins with protein. The size of your hand is relative to the size of your body and, therefore, your protein needs. Your protein portion should be equal to the size and thickness of your palm.

Once you determine the amount of protein that you should have at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you need to determine how much carbohydrate goes along with it. The carbohydrates are determined by the size of your fist.
If you choose favorable carbohydrates, you get two big fists worth of it. Two big, loose fists. If you choose an unfavorable carbohydrate like pasta, you get only one tight fist worth.

Highly refined foods like pasta, white breads and bagels are unfavorable. Favourable carbs include apples, beans sprouts, brocolli, cucumber, egg plant and grapefuit.

Dietary Fat
The last macronutrient is dietary fat. Fat is easy. Just add a few nuts, some olive oil or a couple olives to balance out your meal. If your protein source is high in fat, don't add any extra dietary fat.

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