AGAINST THE GRAIN

THE LOW-CARB ZONE DIET RISES FROM FAD TO FIXTURE

Cristiana Paul had a weight problem. Not drastic, but nagging nonetheless. Born and raised in Romania and trained as an engineer, Paul moved to Los Angeles in 1984, and like all good Angelenos, she decided to become a model. Paul was already svelte and stunning, but despite a near maniacal exercise regimen she couldn't shed a few stubborn pounds. So she abandoned her strict fruit-and-vegetable diet, cut back on carbohydrates and gobbled proteins. Before long, she had dropped the extra ballast and was turning away modeling offers.

Only later did Paul learn she had stumbled into "the Zone," which, if its...

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