Is The Zone diet unhealthy?
The USDA recommends getting 10% of your Calories from protein (60% carbs, 30% fat).
Then there is The Zone diet, which is 40% carbs, 30% protein, and 30% fat. If you are somewhat insulin resistant (as I suspect I am), then reducing carbs should help, right?
But then others say that 30% protein is too much and could be harmful to your kidneys and bones.
Since I started trying to eat similarly to The Zone diet 2 weeks ago, my appetite has gone way down and therefore my total Calories have gone down (perhaps too low, but it should go up as I start to exercise). I’m happy to FINALLY have a reduced appetite, but I’m worried that this much protein might be harmful. I’m eating 79g protein/day.
There’s diabetes and kidney problems in my family. I want to avoid those, plus lose fat, gain muscle, and strengthen bones and heart. I’m ovo-lacto-vegetarian. I’m extremely sedentary but hope to gradually become more active. Right now 15 minutes of brisk walking on the treadmill is all I can do.
P.S. Before this diet I didn’t eat enough protein. I ate lots and lots of starchy and sugary foods, which have always been my favorite. I was constantly craving food even when my stomach was stuffed full. I don’t want to go back to that.
