The underlying cause of weight gain is cellular inflammation, especially in your fat cells. Reducing cellular inflammation depends on your diet. The first step is following the Zone Food Pyramid.
Colorful Carbohydrates
The base of the Zone Food Pyramid consists of lots of vegetables and fruits because they are low-glycemic carbohydrates rich in polyphenols. You should be eating at least 10 servings of vegetables and fruits per day. If not, consider taking a capsule of Zone Polyphenols that contains same amounts of polyphenols, the most powerful dietary anti-oxidants available, as found in 10 servings of fruits and vegetables.
Low-fat Protein
You need adequate amounts of low-fat protein at every meal. This is usually 3 ounces of low-fat protein per meal for a female and 4 ounces of low-fat protein per meal for a male.
Monounsaturated Fats
Monounsatured fats are low in both omega-6 fats and saturated fats that increase cellular inflammation. You only need a dash of monounsatured fats at each meal. You also need adequate amounts of omega-3 fats, such as EPA and DHA. If you are not eating at least one serving per day of fatty fish, then consider taking OmegaRx capsules to get the necessary daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
Grains and Starches
Treat grains and starches as condiments (i.e. small amounts). If you do include any grains in meal, make sure they are whole-grains indicating that least they contain some polyphenols.