Zone Diet - Criticism

Criticism

Sears believes the characterization of the Zone diet as 'high-protein' is inaccurate, as more calories come from carbohydrates than protein. In his book, he advocates a formula based on lean body mass and activity level to determine the appropriate daily intake of protein. For example, a female of average height and average build who has a moderately active lifestyle is encouraged to eat around 60g of protein daily.

The most common vegetarian or vegan diets, according to Sears, are highly dissimilar from The Zone because they generally utilize very little protein relative to carbohydrate consumption. Low-protein vegetarian diets, says Sears, prohibits the body from operating truly efficiently. In 2000, Sears published the Soy Zone where he outlined a zone diet based around soy protein and soy foods, for vegetarians who wish to follow a Zone diet.

Some nutritional experts, including some of Sears' former colleagues, are critical of his conclusions from the scientific evidence, contending that he has distorted or exaggerated the meaning of much of the basic research. They point out that no direct studies to verify his conclusions have been performed.