Tuesday, May 21, 2002 • The Campanile FEATURES • 7 Zone diet stresses balance Zone does not deprive dieters of favorites, instead it balances carbs, fats and protein

BY LIZZIE CARLSON this nation-wide health problem? tein he or she should consume each hunger, greater energy and physical Features Section Editor Many Americans are just too busy, day, the goal is to consume that amount performance as well as improved and too lazy, to eat healthy and stay in of protein each and every day, no mental focus, maximum productiv- When cruising down any local shape the traditional way. As a result, more and no less. ity and overall good health. freeway, drivers are constantly bom- many Americans turn to short-lived In addition, zoners must also con- The Zone is also not just for barded with a paradoxical mix of fad diets that are impractical, difficult sume a certain amount of carbohy- people who are severely overweight scenery; billboards showcasing the to follow and possibly even danger- drates and fats with each gram of or even overweight at all. Elite ath- shockingly-thin bodies of models ous. However, in a world of worthless protein they eat. To make this easier, letes such as Olympic swimmers and movie stars are flanked by end- trends, one stands out from the rest. Sears has created a system called and NFL football players have en- less fast-food signs. The Zone diet, created by Dr. Barry “blocks.” Basically, one protein block joyed great success while following This tell-tale mix of American Sears, is one so-called “fad diet” that is made up of 7 grams of protein, one The Zone diet program. Jenny Th- culture shows why it is no wonder is here to stay. carbohydrate block is 9 grams and ompson, for example, won two gold we are simultaneously the most The concept behind The Zone one fat block is 1.5 grams. Once diet- medals at the 1992 Barcelona Olym- body-conscious and obese diet is simple: Food is a drug and, ers calculate how much protein they pics while on The Zone diet. In an country in the world. when given in the correct dosages and need, they can then divide that by article in a 1993 edition of Swim- The reason combinations, can do amazing things. seven to find how many protein blocks ming World, her coach even cited behind Instead of the traditional low-fat, low- they should consume every day. Af- Sears’ dietary program as the cause Campanile File Photograph calorie, high-carbohydrate diets which ter that, all they have to do is match of her success. Other Zone diet fol- Kelly, Ozzy, Sharon and Jack (left to right) make up America’s new deprive dieters of their favorite foods, each protein block with one carbohy- lowers in the past have included reality show family and have earned high ratings since their debut. the Zone diet aims to formulate meals drate block and one fat block. NBA center James Donaldson, win- with the correct balance of protein, The most practical aspect of The ner of the 1994 Maui Ironman Laura carbohydrates and fats. Zone diet is that it does not put any Lowe and downhill ski racer Lisa While this seems complicated, severe restrictions on exactly what Feinberg. Reality TV still Sears provides a simple method foods people eat. Sears even allows Compared with starvation diets for dieters who wish to be “in for a Snickers bar every once in a and no-carb methods, Barry Sears’ the zone.” First, a prospective while. According to Sears, as long as The Zone diet is a healthy, middle- follower must calculate their dieters are creating the correct bal- of-the-road alternative with the po- necessary daily protein in- ance of 40 percent protein, 30 percent brings in ratings tential to induce beneficial side ef- take using a variety of fat and 30 percent carbohydrates and fects in addition to weight loss. BY LAURA OPPENHEIMER would not be a market for reality- measurements includ- eating the correct amount of macro- While it involves a complete News Section Editor based shows. Although many shows ing weight and per- nutrients overall, they will lose weight. makeover of the way we think about have not succeeded, like Fear Factor centage of body fat. However, weight-loss is only one food, and can be complicated at First there were the Cleavers … and the Amazing Race, Survivor and Once a person of the many alleged benefits of the times, The Zone may just be the then the Bradys … then the Cosbys … the other MTV reality shows are still knows how many Zone diet. According to Sears, The miracle diet that Americans have and now, joining these revered fami- pulling in high ratings. grams of pro- Zone diet re- always been lies are … the Osbournes. Consisting While CBS’s Survivor: sults in free- searching for. of Ozzy, wife and manager Sharon, Marquesas is not the hit its predeces- Sample protein blocks: dom from and their daughter Kelly, 17, and son sors were, it is still pulling in high Jack, 16, The Osbournes is a docu- enough numbers to stay even with series on the lives of these four people. Friends in the weekly Thursday night seafood: Premiering on MTV on March 20, the ratings battle. Likewise, The Real bass show has been a boon for MTV, which World Chicago and Real World/Road 1 oz. is seeing 6 million people tune in each Rules Challenge are still popular on calamari 1.5 oz. week to watch the wacky clan. MTV. catfish 2 oz. Although Ozzy now says that, if Paly Economics teacher Steve he had to do it over again, he wouldn’t Sandis finds the shows so worthwile clams 1.5 oz. Sample carbohydrate have invited the cameras into his house he actually requires his class to watch crab 1.5 oz. to follow him around for six months the newest season of Survivor. blocks: of his life, viewers flocked to the “Reality TV shows are an inter- halibut 1.5 oz. show to check out what the family esting phenomenon and, with Survi- lobster 1.5 oz. vegetables: was going to do next. And, strangely vor especially, there is this tiny soci- 4 cups enough, what viewers found most of- ety, a microcosm, that has a lot of salmon 1.5 oz. broccoli ten was nothing; the Osbournes real-life economic principles in- shrimp 2 oz. corn 0.25 cups seemed to be somewhat like every volved,” Sandis said. tuna lettuce 2 heads other family. Clearly, reality-based shows are 1 oz. Sample fat blocks: There were some odd moments more than just a fad. What is it about mushrooms 2 cups over the course of the season, but the watching someone else’s life on tele- poultry: avacado majority of the show was filled with vision that draws viewers to watch 1 tbsp regular family stuff like fights around these shows? chicken (deli-style)1.5 oz. fruits: butter 1 tsp the dinner table, discussions about “Reality TV adds a whole new chicken (skinless) 1 oz. apple .5 cream curfews and even a few tender mo- element to television because they are 0.5 tsp ments. actually real people,” senior Noora turkey (skinless) 1 oz. grapes 0.5 cups cream cheese 0.33 tsp “My whole family watches The Mashruwala said. “And The Real turkey bacon 3.5 oz. orange .5 guacamole 1 tbsp Osbournes,” senior Julia Verheecke World is so bitchy and drama-filled, said. “My dad loves it, and in a way, so its fun to get together and watch it peach 1 mayonnaise 2 heads watching this crazy family interact in a big group.” other: olive oil 2 cups with each other is something that we However, Mashruwala doesn’t can all identify with.” think that all the fun on The Real cheese (low-fat) 1 oz. other: olives 3 Senior Martina Davis is also an World and other reality shows is nec- egg 1 bagel 0.25 peanuts 6 ardent fan of the show. “The essarily true. Osbournes is the funniest show on. I “I’ve read that they set up things soy burger 0.5 patty hummus 0.25 cups peanut butter 0.5 tbsp don’t know if it’s a put-on, but the that they want to have happen on each tofu 3 oz. oatmeal 0.33 cups sour cream 0.5 tsp family is so funny.” episode,” Mashruwala said. veal The success of this show has led Regardless, the networks have 1oz. pasta 0.25 cups walnuts (chopped) people back to wondering about the reality shows on the lineup for next success of reality-based television year. And, as long as the drama keeps shows. happening, the masses will keep After September 11, many in the watching, and the shows will remain television industry thought there a part of pop-culture television. Foothill Middle College offers alternative to high school Foothill Community College allows high school students to earn their credits for graduation with an accomodating schedule

BY CASEY WEISS year’s worth of material in each class in only three months. “Our core semester final required us to draw pictures News Editor It all balances out.” depicting each character [in the book] and connecting Instead of being expected to take certain science or them with general society,” Renaud said. “This way of Junior Julie Renaud failed several of her classes at math classes, students can pick from a wide range of learning makes so much sense. At Middle College I just Palo Alto High School last year, and although Renaud classes, ranging from astronomy to requirements like started getting ‘A’s. I don’t know what happened; I had predicted she would never have the opportunity to attend algebra. Furthermore, each class counts as double credits, never got ‘A’s before.” college, she is currently excelling at Middle College, an so students receive both college and high school credits for extension of high school located at Foothill Community most of the classes they take at Foothill. “We are looking for students who College. This alternative offers a relaxed atmosphere for This year, Renaud was finally able to explore human bright seniors and juniors like Renaud who struggle in the geography, a subject she enjoys but never had a chance to were dissatisfied with the traditional regular high-school environment. take before. high-school atmosphere, “I went to Middle College because I needed the “At Middle College, you can really find out what is credits. I just needed to graduate,” Renaud said. “Yet I got right for you,” Renaud said. academically and socially.” there and realized there was so much more that I was Since Middle College is such a popular program, — Michael Wilson, missing out on.” students must apply in order to be accepted to the school. Middle College teacher Students at Middle College are simultaneously en- These applications include teacher recommendations, tran- rolled in their high schools; consequently, each student scripts, an essay, recruitment sessions and an interview. Students also receive more freedom outside their must fulfill his or her own school’s graduation require- All students applying must attend Gunn, Palo Alto, Alta curriculum. Students can return to their home school and ments. Since Middle College is an extension of high Vista, Mountain View or Los Altos high school. Once play sports or join clubs, even though teachers advise Campanile File Photograph school, it is free. accepted, students must take a Foothill College entrance students to join Foothill programs. Foothill’s Middle College program provides a Middle College provides its students with much exam. This year, Middle College students voted not to have flexible schedule and opportunities for students. flexibility and many opportunities. Although each student Although Middle College targets students who need an attendance policy. However, Middle College drops or is required to take a two-hour English and social studies a change, not all students struggled at their old high school. restricts the freedom of students who abuse this privilege. body is trying to express their individuality, and this core class four times a week and an elective, students Some just did not adapt to the social tensions of high Unlike Paly, students are confronted directly if they cut makes them all alike.” attend additional Foothill College classes during the day school. At Middle College, students are encouraged to be instead of receiving a phone call home. This freedom For the most part students do succeed at Middle and occasionally in the evening, according to the Middle different. gives students space and is the reason why Middle College College and continue at Foothill or transfer to a campus of College Web site. “We are looking for students who were dissatisfied students often succeed, Renaud said. the University of California or a state school. Less than Moreover, Middle College classes are divided by with the traditional high-school atmosphere, academi- “Students may come to us struggling. They believe one percent of students chose to leave Middle College, grade. Once a week, the classes are combined and students cally and socially,” Middle College teacher Michael Wil- the new environment will change everything,” Wilson according to Wilson. have workshops, open-microphone or guest speakers. son said. said. “They consequently stumble and do not perform up Each year, about 60 percent of students stay at Foot- Both seniors and juniors follow their regular high school Instead of stressing grades, Middle College encour- to their potential.” hill, and the other 40 percent attend a university. After curriculum. However, Middle College is not intended to ages students to think for themselves. All three of the Although students sometimes do not work to their full graduating, Renaud plans to attend Foothill for two years be an easy alternative to high school; instead, it is meant Middle College teachers understand that students need a potential and are asked to leave, very few drop out of and transfer to a university, something she never dreamed to help students find their niche and excel. change from high school. Since Middle College can only Middle College, according to Wilson. This year, seven out possible. “I get just as much homework at Middle College as I accommodate 85 students, there is a 1 to 29 ratio between of the 85 students left. “I didn’t think I would go to college,” Renaud said. “I did at Paly,” junior Feyi Ajayi-Dopemu said. “Here, I only teachers and students. Students consequently form close “I like the social atmosphere at Gunn a lot better,” didn’t even think I would graduate. I grew into myself take two classes plus core and my elective, but I learn a relationships with their teachers. Gunn junior Emily Wide said. “At Middle College, every- here and realized I could.”