Zig-zag diets are a different approach to losing weight that discourages avoiding many foods that conventional diets claim to be out of bounds. Essentially, the zig-zag diet is all about portion control and alternating consumption of different types of foods. The idea behind this rotation or zig-zag in the task of dieting is understood to trick the metabolism into using stored fat for energy while tending to not convert muscle for the daily needs of the body.
The point of a zig-zag diet is to maintain some balance between the need to lose fat by watching the calorie intake and the desire to gain muscle by consuming a wide range of foods that may in fact contain a lot of calories. Most diets are geared toward losing fat, but consider losing muscle as one of the necessary casualties of the process. Zig-zag diets claim there is no need to lose muscle while also losing fat, provided that a process of calorie shifting is employed.
Calorie shifting simply means moving away from traditional ways of eating and redefining the entire process. The zig zag diet requires dispensing with the traditional three meals a day, and eating up to seven smaller meals in the same time frame. Part of the reason for this element of the zig-zag diet is to make it possible to satisfy the body’s desire for fat and maintain a stable level of carbohydrates. This will mean the blood sugar level is less likely to fluctuate and the desire to binge is avoided.
Depending on what the individual plans on doing over the next two to three hours, the meal may be heavier in carbohydrates, with fats to come along later in the day. Eating to respond to short term needs allows the body to use what it needs before it can be stored as fat. The zig-zag diet also makes it possible for the body to slowly make use of stored fat, while converting much less muscle mass than with traditional diets.
As with all types of diet plans, it is a good idea to check with a physician before implementing the zig-zag diet approach. This precaution will make it possible to be aware of any special dietary needs that need to be addressed as part of the diet plan, and help to ensure a good level of general health while pursuing the weight loss goals.
