How to Get into the Zone

The 40 30 30 diet looks rather simple: eat meals that are 40% carbohydrate, 30% protein and 30% fat -- and voila! -- you're in the Zone! In reality, it's not that simple. Should one get information on how many carb, protein, and fat grams is in every piece of food and then calculate whether or not its a 40-30-30 food? Can a normal person keep doing this day in and day out? Maybe not. There's the Eyeball Method instead.

1. 30% protein: your plam.

Eat lean meats, poultry, fish, egg whites, or low-fat diary in every meal. The portion should be of the size of your palm.

2. 30% fat: your thumb.

Have fats, better oils, added to every meal; the portion size should be approximately as big the tip of your thumb.

3. 40% carb: one or two handfuls.

Every meal, you have a choice of one fruit portion the size of one handful or two vegetable portions (two handfuls) becaused fruits are more carbohydrate-dense foods.