Crossfitters know that the only way to obtain a proper athletic weight with optimal performance is by adopting a  Zone Diet, sometimes known as the 40:30:30 Diet.

We send out the details of the Zone free of charge and obligation to anyone who asks. If you want these details email Andrew Stemler@aol.com and say "Zone"

However, we do take this opportunity to remind you of Government Food intake guidelines (the Food Pyramid) 2-3 servings.

THE GOVERNMENT'S FOOD PYRAMID

We think this model is wrong, but it could be a starting point for you



Fats and Oils
use sparingly

Milk,  yogurt & cheese group
2-3 servings a day.
A serving is 1.5-2oz of cheese or 1 cup of yogurt or   1 cup of milk

Vegetable group
3-5 servings a day
A serving is1/2 cup cooked vegetables or 3/4 cup vegetable juice or 1 cup leafey vegetables

Fruit Group
2-4 servings a day,
a serving is a medium piece of fruit or 1/2 cup cut or cooked fruit or 3/4 cup fruit juice

Meat, poultry,  dry beans, eggs & nuts
2-3 servings a day
2-3 oz meat or 1 egg or 1/2 cup cooked beans

Bread, cereal, rice & pasta group
8-11 servings a day
1oz dry cereal or 1 small muffin or 1 slice of bread or
1/2 cup cooked cereal or rice or pasta

Whilst we  as fitness clinicians know these guidelines to have way too much carbohydrate and not   enough protein, we do like some of the elements:

1) You must weigh and measure and control your intake.
2) There is a variety of food
3) There is no invitation to stuff in as much as you like of any sort of food. Its always  measured
4) Its probably way less then you are eating at the moment.

What is wrong with it is too much emphasis on carbohydrates (and manufactured ones at that), a failure to distinguish between good and bad foods  and good and bad fats, and not enough protein. But its a start.

In the meantime get some  food  measuring cups and a scale that weighs  as small as an ounce.

We hope to get around to adding some Zone overviews  here etc, but you could always visit Dr Sears.com the designer of the diet