The The Zone Diet is also known as the Midway Regime. Developed in the 1990s by Barry Sears, a former researcher at MIT (Institute of Technology Massacusetts), it is part of diets "trendy", acclaimed by stars such as Brad Pitt or Demi Moore. Its principle: achieve the perfect balance thanks to a very precise diet, which allows to lose between 0.5 and 1.5 kilos per week thanks to a diet low in sugar and calories.

The Zone diet: how does it work?
This slimming program uses the regulation of two types of hormones: insulin, secreted by the pancreas after the ingestion of carbohydrates to regulate the blood sugar level and eicosanoids, hormones manufactured by all the cells and which would be involved in the metabolism of fats.

To maintain them in the ideal "zone", this diet consists of five food intake (three meals and two snacks), taken at regular intervals, and be composed with the greatest precision. The distribution to be followed is as follows: 30% protein (meat and lean fish, egg white ...), 35% lipids from unsaturated fats (vegetable oils, almonds, avocado ...) and 35% of carbohydrates (wholemeal bread, fruits, pulses ...).

There are not really any forbidden foods, but many are not recommended, especially all those based on refined sugars or white flour, as well as potatoes, all sweet drinks (fruit juice, soda) even if they are light, alcohol or coffee. Among the fruits and vegetables: bananas, grapes, carrots, peas, corn and figs are also to be avoided.

The Zone Diet: the benefits
Since The Zone diet consists of consuming few calories, it allows you to lose weight quickly. The very present proteins also prevent the loss of muscle mass. In addition, the preferred foods are good for health and the distribution helps to avoid cravings.

The Zone Diet: the disadvantages
The major problem of this slimming program, it is that it does absolutely not meet the official nutritional recommendations, which privilege 50% to 55% of calories in the form of carbohydrates, 15% to 20% in the form of proteins and not more than 30% as lipids. It is also particularly restrictive because it requires planning precisely the least meal without improvisation, which tends to generate frustration.

Finally, like any low-calorie diet, as soon as you take a "classic" diet, the body stores to prevent the next periods of diet, the yo-yo effect and weight gain at the end of this slimming program is therefore almost inevitable ...