Hi,

I like the Zone diet philosophy, but I don't feel that many of the recipes are very health conscious. For instance, in the 7-day planner men's and vegetarian (?) most of the recipes rely on dairy foods like cheese. There are a significant amount of people that are allergic to dairy products and there should be other options given. Especially, pasteurized milk product are problematic as compared to the raw product. Not to mention that it is a "no-brainer" that pork is unhealthy for you. I shouldn't have to tell everyone that this animal eats it's own feces and then they you eat it.. If at least you recommended getting the pork from natural source, that would be seem more responsible.

There are also recommendations on cooking with the microwave. I think that they may find out later that the microwave is altering the chemical make up of your food and putting electromagnetic radiation into it. I would think that you would at least suggest using the microwave only when time is a of an absolute essence.

Lastly, there are several suggestions to use use 'Deli Style Meats". If you go out and buy the run of the mill over processed deli style meats your not that far nutrition wise from eating fast food (pertaining to meat portions). No emphasis on free range, natural. or organic meats?

Of course you can mix and match whatever recipes that you want. I would think that such a healthy approach to dieting would not make such unhealthy dieting food choices or techniques.

Thanks,


sean

Hi Sean,

I don't view it as Dr Sears advocating that the meals in the planners represent the absolute best way to do the Zone diet. In fact, in the Zone Food Block List on this site, it does specify "range fed", at least in regard to beef. As I understand, only range fed (grass fed) beef is considered to be Zone friendly it contais less AA then conventionally fed beef. IMO, the recipes and meal planners are samples designed to appeal to the average American, to demonstrate one way to eat meals in the Zone. In other words they demonstrate how to make the Zone doable for the average American. Zone principles can be applied to most any cuisine, from fast foods, to the most pure and unadulterated organic foods. I happen to choose to eat as it sounds like you probably do. I've been eating in the Zone very successfully for almost 14 years and my meals bear little resemblance to some of those in the planners because I've always eaten whole (and for the most part unprocessed) basic foods, almost no dairy to speak of, very little grain and red meat, and lots of "veggie" meals. But this doesn't mean that those who choose to stick with conventionally grown, somewhat more processed foods, and who eat a little closer to the average American fare, can't also enjoy the benefits that the Zone has to offer.

Like Dr. Sears mentions: "It is ok to splurge in the Zone diet every now and then" that's why these ingredients are in the recipes, as well as "Weaning" eaters from their foods, not removing it all of the sudden and causing a crash. The advantage of the Zone Diet is that your next meal will get you back in the Zone. And of course, the recipes are not mandatory, but optional. This website gives you a very extended list of foods to choose from and to make up your own recipes as well. Doesn't nesesary or mandaroty have to be the exact recipe. You can always mix, match and substitute to contribute to "Variety".
Hope this helps. :-)

I think that a common sense approach is a "given".

Dairy is a controversial subject, and if you don't really care for dairy in your diet, don't eat it. I happen to enjoy dairy products, and suffer no ill effects from it. On the other hand, there are those who are unable to tolerate it, but that doesn't make it unhealthy for everyone.

I am not sure about the "pasteurization" debate. I would think that drinking unpasteurized milk may solve some problems but create more problems.

As far as the other comments, I think we have to use what we have for resources, and apply it as best as we can. I can tell you that in my area of the country, I would have to drive MANY miles to get specialty products, and then it would cost me a lot more, at that. So, my zone is made from foods that I can get at my local grocery store. Then, when I shop, I look for the purest of foods, with the least amount of additives.

I kinda understand what Sean is saying. I also looked at the deserts and there does seem to be a lot more milk recipes then not. I also do not want to do the dairy so, all we can do
Sean, and be better off is not eating it. I know it stinks but what can you do. The world loves their dairy and they are not about to stop selling it. lol Ya right stop selling milk. As they say, when the cows come home. lol.. i just wish there were more choices, recipes without the milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.
doing without it has made me lose some weight with more to go. I'm still surviving, not liking it but doing it.

I had to chuckle when I read this.

I think that part of the basis for the Zone diet is that Humans were Hunter/Gatherers thousands of years ago.

Hunting and drying meat, picking acorns, nuts, and eating greens, tubers, fruits and storing them as well.

Pemmican can be real close to a balanced Zone meal.

Ever notice that Milk is almost perfectly in the Zone, and 2% is exactly in the Zone.

I am Sure Dr. Sears considered these things as well.

As far as pigs eating their own feces, I am sure they take offense to your remark. Pigs eat a lot of things in the wild and trust me feces is on the bottom of the list. Many other animals we eat are much more offensive than pigs.

Animals have a very tough lot trying to survive. For those not raising them or used to seeing them in the wild I am sure it would be a shock. All animals do things that someone not exposed to them would not like to see.

Chickens (free range a popular new term) for example will eat anything including each other. What is ironic, is that a free range chicken will eat anything but the dirt in the yard (they will eat the small rocks). This includes a fallen comrade, other animals feces, and all other manner of organic things.

The Zone is not based on quack science, or some latest sensation. I think much is based on our species and how we ate before processed foods.

I for one plan on enjoying tonight a pork chop, salad, broccoli with slivers of almonds, olive oil and an apple.

Some caveman a thousand years ago would have dug that.

Sean, give it a try, and get out into the wild and see what animals have to go through to survive.

Paul, how many meals did you get out of that animal in front of you. I won't even attempt to call it by it's real name because I'm not sure. did you get to eat it?

Cheryl, I harvested that buck last year with my bow. He is a Mule Deer Buck. This year I got a bull elk with my Muzzle Loader. I take caring for the venison very seriously.
We eat or share with family and friends every animal we get.

Venison is the perfect Zone protein and very conducive to the Zone lifestyle. It is a lean meat. These animals all eat what is natural to their systems. I need to let Sean know that is not always what we think it is <img src='desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/wink.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Wink' align='absmiddle'>.

Hunting in the West normally involves hiking 5-10 miles a day at altitudes of 6000-11000 feet which gives you great exercise, but, mostly it is the self fulfillment of harvesting your own food. I also include my kids in hunting and we have had some of our best times together hunting out of state and on trips.

By the way we also raise a lot of our own food as well, not out of necessity, but, out of enjoyment.

[IMG]http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd156/paulcomino/2008ValleCalderaBull002.jpg[/IMG]

<a href="http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd156/paulcomino/?action=view¤t=2008ValleCalderaBull002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd156/paulcomino/2008ValleCalderaBull002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd156/paulcomino/2008ValleCalderaBull002.jpg

http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd156/paulcomino/?action=view¤t=2008ValleCalderaBull002.jpg

Okay, I give up. I was trying to post a picture of my bull elk this year, but, I cant make it work. <img src='desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/sad.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Sad' align='absmiddle'>

send it to me in email parkbunny at g mail dot com. That is awesome. you all are blessed to be able to do that.

hey you all, get the pictures. have him send them to you via email. they are gorgeous big. Beautiful. Awesome. I'm in awe. If you get too much, I'll take some off your hands.

Thanks Cheryl. We are lucky to have the best food available to us.
Now do we always make the right choices when we eat???:blush: