Zone Diet Food for Healthy Eating
Of course, the main element of any diet is the food. In the Zone Diet the types of food consumed, on a daily basis, and to some degree the amounts, are the key to succeeding. The main food groups, that are part of the healthy lifestyle, of the Zone Diet food, are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In the protein group, low-fat selections are on the menu. For carbohydrates, choose low-glycemic foods. For fats, pick monosaturated varieties.
Your protein portions should be lean meats, fish and chicken. You may choose egg whites, and any soybean products. Unless you have been living in a cave, you should know that a lot of fat, in the meat cut, and skin and fat on the chicken, are taboo. Soybean products are great because they are marketed, now, in a wide variety of forms and textures for use in recipes. There are, now more than ever, a huge number of cookbooks and TV chef’s making use of soy products with very palatable success. Soy is extremely nutritious, however, this must be balanced with the fact that it is highly processed to be sold in its various forms, and that might be some consideration.
How To Measure
It is further emphasized that the protein portion of a meal should be only a few ounces and the rule of thumb is that it this amount can be roughly measured by the size of the palm of your hand. To view this way your protein portion should be considered something of a side dish in your meal, with the carbohydrates portion being the entrée.
With a few exceptions, fruits and vegetables make up the bulk of the carbohydrates portions. The amounts of that are recommended are about two thirds of your entire meal. It might be good to think of the more watery, or drier, fruits and vegetables as the ones to reach for. Ones with a creamier texture, like bananas and avocados should be avoided.
For fat intake, select olive oil or sesame oil. There are also some nuts and, a few vegetables that provide the necessary monosaturated fats. Choose those creamier vegetables like avocados, and drier, less oily, nuts like almonds.
Can I still eat pre-packaged foods?
The zone diet food you choose, from the food groups, are intended to be, singular, fresh food selections for homemade meals. Lots of people buy pre-packed meals now that are easily microwavable and convenient. The ingredients listed on the package will allow you to assess whether the meal contains the hormone balancing ingredients you need to maintain your diet.
The Zone Diet people themselves have developed a line of food products that fit within their program guidelines too. Their specialties are their nutrition bars and shakes. The bars come in 8 different formulas and can be purchased in a variety packs. The shakes come in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, and a sampler pack is available, so you can pick your favorite before buying a case. The food products, marketed by Zone Labs, also include cereal, pasta, sesame and olive oil, as well as a protein powder.
If you have ever been interested in Zone diet food, you may have also heard that there are home delivery systems, for freshly prepared meals to be delivered to your door. There are many outfits with varying plans and food choices. None of them are affiliated with, or authorized by, the original Zone Diet program. The official Zone Diet, and its related marketing ventures, does not provide home meal delivery. Meals from such services are touted to be prepared within the nutritional guidelines of the Zone Diet. These services are available in many cities and urban areas. Since delivered meals are somewhat of a luxury, in general, they are gourmet cuisine recipes.