Before moving on to the Zone diet calculator, we need to know the Zone diet. The Zone Diet was created by Dr. Barry Sears, a former research scientist at the Boston University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His diet helped control the level of insulin in the body. This excellent diet is based on a 40:30:30 ratio of food components. Ideally, the foods we eat have a ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% fat and 30% protein. This will keep our insulin at an optimal level.
The diet calculator is necessary as each person is built differently; it has a different weight, a different size, and a different shape. The body has different needs when it comes to food. The idea behind the Zone diet is to lose weight and stay healthy. This diet recommends that the protein you eat does not contain fat. Skinless chicken breast, lean meat, preferably grilled, or fish are recommended as ideal protein. Carbohydrates should also consist of low-starch fruits and / or vegetables. Heart-friendly monounsaturated fats, such as those in almonds, are considered ideal.
What you need to know
To calculate an individual’s protein requirement, certain information is needed. You also need to know how many zone blocks you need to consume in a single day. Zone blocks help you find the correct portion of food your body needs. Depending on the weight, height and circumference of the waist and hips of a person on average:
A man’s intake is 14 food blocks per day.
A woman’s intake is 11 food blocks per day.
3 mini blocks, each containing carbohydrates, proteins and fats, form a zone block. Each mini block consists of: 7 grams of protein; 9 grams of carbohydrates; and 1.5 grams of fat.
For the Zone diet calculator, all measurements are taken in inches and on bare skin. There is a different criterion for men and women. Women must provide their measurements of weight (in pounds), height, abdomen and hips. Men must provide their weight (in pounds), height, waist, and wrist measurements. Both also need to contribute their Activity factor, such as: sedentary, light, moderate, active, very active, elite athlete.
Once the above information is provided, the diet calculator provides the following information:
Body fat%
Body fat weight (pounds)
Lean body mass (pounds)
Daily protein requirement (g)
# Of protein blocks
# Of carbohydrate blocks
# Of fat blocks
Now that your diet requirements have been calculated, you know how much protein, carbohydrate, and fat you will need in your daily meals.
Although the Zone diet is a great way to control your weight and get back in shape, you should continue after you have accomplished what you started to accomplish. Make sure you don’t stop and go back to your previous eating habits. Now that you have discarded those habits, let them discard.
Let the Zone diet be your only diet; let it be your lifestyle change.
