The Zone Diet is also called the 40:30:30 diet plan, since the proportion of carbohydrates, proteins and fat has to be in that ratio respectively.

• The amount of protein at each meal should be equal to the size and thickness of the dieter’s palm.
• The portion size for carbohydrates can be determined by curling the hands into two loose fists.
• The amount of fats in a meal equals the size of the tip of the thumb.

The Zone Diet comprises eating 3 meals and 2 snacks per day.

• Breakfast should be taken within an hour of waking up.
• A snack should be taken 4-5 hours following the breakfast.
• Lunch should follow 2 hours later.
• Again a snack should be taken after 4-5 hours.
• Dinner should be taken 2 hours after the snack.

Drinking lots of water is important as burning fat is a dehydrating process.

Vitamin and mineral supplementation are necessary to provide the body with the essential nutrients.

Alcohol and caffeinated beverages should be avoided when on a Zone Diet, as alcohol increases the insulin level and caffeine leads to insulin resistance.