Facts About The Zone Diet and the Best Life Diet

Intrigued by the large variety of diets that emerge each year, I decided to explore some of the most popular ones. In this article I will tell you about the Zone diet and Oprah Winfrey's current favorite, the Best Life Diet.

The Zone Diet

The Zone Diet is a relatively low carb diet (not nearly as extreme as Atkins) which balances the ratio of carbohydrates to proteins and monounsaturated fats. According to the Zone Diet Website: "The Zone Diet is about balancing your hormones within a specific range to control hunger on fewer calories while still getting the proper nutrients your body needs for long-term health."

According to the Zone Diet, the best ratio is 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% fats. The carbohydrates in this diet come, primarily, from fruits and vegetables.

This ratio emphasized by the Zone Diet is said to reduce insulin levels and keep you in "The Zone."

A sample meal from the Zone Diet:

Gumbo with olive oil, low-fat turkey sausage, okra, beans shrimp etc.

My take on the Zone Diet:

This diet is similar to a diet I followed years ago to control hypoglycemia. The Zone Diet appears to be a safe diet plan for average people who want to lose a few pounds and feel better. Persons with medical conditions should, as with any diet, consult their doctor before trying this. Higher protein diets (not high, just higher) are not for everyone. I do well when I follow a ratio similar to what is described as the Zone Diet Ratio. That doesn't mean it will work for everyone, however.

One thing I liked about the Zone Diet website is you don't have to sign up to get a lot of information about it. Recipes and many tips are available on the site. Many other diets, including the Best Life Diet-which I will discuss next-require signing up on the website to get the full recipes and diet tips. You can sign up with the Zone diet, and you will have access to extras, but it is free to sign up (at the time of this writing).

The Best Life Diet

The Best Life diet places more emphasis on calorie counting.

The Best Life diet and fitness plan is a very balanced plan. The menu is full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains along with lean meats. In this way it is similar to the Mayo Clinic diet, which I discussed in another article.

According to the website, it costs less than 5 dollars per week to sign up. The benefits you receive by signing up are access to the video library (exercise tips and more) message board, newsletter, the recipe database and more.

A sample meal from the Best Life Diet

"Florida Grapefruit with Jerk-grilled chicken and Arugula salad"

My take on the Best Life Diet

The Best Life Diet appears to be a well-balanced diet and fitness plan and would be suitable for many people. I believe this plan would require a bit more dedication and willpower than The Zone Diet (because of the calorie counting and the stricter menus).

For those who don't mind paying for access to a diet plan, and who feel they'd be more motivated if they joined a group like this, the Best Life Diet is likely a very good, healthy, weight loss plan.

For more information of the Zone diet and the Best Life diet, please visit the links in the resource section of this article.

For information on two other diet plans I've covered, the Hallelujah diet and the Mayo Clinic diet, click here.