I have another newbie question. I am using the block method currently because I am acclimating to what the different amounts look like on a plate. This seems to be working extraordinarily well for me. However, I was looking through the forums and there seems to be so much interest in the ZoneFast 1-2-3 program that I wanted to read more about it. My specific question is - is one way better than another or is it just what works better for you personally? The reason I ask this is because it seems like the ZoneFast program works to incorporate more of the breads and sweets into the program. I don't miss those things at all and given the choice would pick a fresh carbohydrate over a bread or sweet just about every time. Because my primary impetus on this program is health (I have Multiple Sclerosis) I want to be sure I'm doing what's best. But because I am grossly overweight as well, I know that any eating plan needs to be something I enjoy or I'll never stick to it. So is one program "better" than the other? Thanks so much! BTW - I've lost over 10 lbs already so I am also celebrating the weight loss in addition to the health benefits!

No, one plan is not necessarily better than the other. ZoneFast 1-2-3 has shown to be better for Sue; however, not all have experienced those same results, and some have reported that those new foods do not do as well for them as classic Zone. A few stick closely to the new ZoneFast 1-2-3 program. While others prefer the classic Zone, and some mix a combination of the two. I do mostly classic, but I am expecting a small shipment
(3 different items) today, to try - mainly because I will be going on a business trip and I want to use them for those times when I can not eat whole natural foods, as a supplement to my meals.
.
Because of your condition, Sue, a bit more experienced with different medical conditions, will probably have some more specific suggestions for you.

Hi Christie,

Congrats on your progress.  You've made an excellent start.  

ZoneFast 1-2-3 and classic Zone meals will both get you into the Zone, but you will most likely be able to lower your inflammation levels more with ZoneFast 1-2-3 because it doesn't contain AA or omega 6 fats.  AA, which Dr. Sears refers to as "toxic fat", and omega 6 fats cause inflammation.  MS has an inflammatory basis.  You could achieve a diet virtually void of AA with classic Zone meals if you ate egg white for all your protein (egg white doesn't contain AA or omega 6, meat fish, poultry and soy all contain either AA or omega 6 fat), but, for most people, that probably wouldn't be a very appealing way to eat.  The additional health benefits are the reason I switched to the 1-2-3 Program when it became available, after I'd been of practicing strict adherence to the Zone diet and eating classic Zone meals for 15 years.  Personally, I've had much better results with ZoneFast 1-2-3 as demonstrated by my most recent blood work at my annual physical: http://www.zonediet.com/Community/F...fault.aspx .  I've also become leaner since I began eating Zone foods.  I lost another 15 pounds with them.  Zone foods look and taste like bread, but that is where the similarity ends.  What takes place in your body when you eat them is very different than what happens when you eat traditionally baked breads.


____________________________________________

sue
Consultant of Zone Labs
Certified Zone Affiliate

Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil.   ZoneFast 1-2-3 is the best!

View my Zone Fast 1-2-3 meal photos here:
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/dd352/SueK24/My%20ZoneFast%201-2-3%20Meals/

View my classic Zone meal photos here:
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/dd352/SueK24/?start=0

Christie, if it is working out well for you, I wouldn't change a thing! The most important thing for you to do is to choose the best foods as you can based on purity. The least amount of additives is probably a better bet for you, considering your condition. And, you just can't go wrong with fresh veggies! Congrats on your loss!

Thank you to everyone for our replies! This has been so helpful. I'll do some more looking through the site and will let you know if I have more questions - which is likely!

You're welcome Christie.  I'll be happy to help if you have more questions.  Have a nice weekend. 

____________________________________________

sue
Consultant of Zone Labs
Certified Zone Affiliate

Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil.   ZoneFast 1-2-3 is the best!

View my Zone Fast 1-2-3 meal photos here:
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...3%20Meals/

View my classic Zone meal photos here:
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...4/?start=0

I personally think that anyone with an auto-immune condition should seriously consider cutting out grains, legumes and dairy, and possibly nightshades.

It made all the difference for me. Google these foods and auto-immune and you will get a ton of info. I have been following the Zone for 15 years, and the last 18 months without these foods, it has made a wonderful difference - I have no auto-immune symptoms anymore. An anti-inflammatory diet - low glycemic load, low AA and Omega 6, hihg omega 3, lots of poly phenols, is a must, but the did not make me inflammation free.

MS is an auto-immune disease, which is the cause of the inflammation IMO

Sue, I am interested in your blood work results you mentioned, but the link is broken?

Here it is Ayesha: http://www.zonediet.com/forums/aft/58048

And, have to say, I'm still blown away by the result! :D

Sue,

Excellent progress! I am now really curious what my blood work will show. I have not been to the doctor since a follow-up after the girls were born (4 years ago). And I am fortunate to be healthy and only get sick occasionally, and it is usually self-induced from dairy allergies and eating too much cheese at one time.

You also posted (on another thread) a link for AA levels in foods, but I did not understand how to use it. And now I cannot locate the thread?

A few other questions, please. What is the difference between Classic Zone (foods you prepare yourself), Zone 123 (?), and Zone Fast (Zone baked foods)? And since you are following Zone Fast using the Zone foods, how much fresh fruits and vegetables do you eat daily? And is there enough fiber in the Zone foods?

Now, I have to find the doctor's number and make that long overdue appointment.

Ayesha, check out my my food photobucket links below and my "Food" photo album on facebook (Sue Knorr) and you can judge for yourself the amount of veggies and fruits I eat. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. The turkey chili in the recent fb photo was served over Zone orzo along with fire roasted red and yellow peppers. I'll reply with more info later. :D

[quote]
Posted By Ayesha Nicole on 30 Sep 2011 11:01 AM
Sue,

Excellent progress! I am now really curious what my blood work will show. I have not been to the doctor since a follow-up after the girls were born (4 years ago). And I am fortunate to be healthy and only get sick occasionally, and it is usually self-induced from dairy allergies and eating too much cheese at one time.

You also posted (on another thread) a link for AA levels in foods, but I did not understand how to use it. And now I cannot locate the thread?

A few other questions, please. What is the difference between Classic Zone (foods you prepare yourself), Zone 123 (?), and Zone Fast (Zone baked foods)? And since you are following Zone Fast using the Zone foods, how much fresh fruits and vegetables do you eat daily? And is there enough fiber in the Zone foods?

Now, I have to find the doctor's number and make that long overdue appointment.
[/quote]

Ayesha, just to answer the question that you asked, Zonefast are the zone baked foods and Zone 1-2-3 is the eating plan that incorporates the Zonefast foods. Classic Zone is basically using Zone principles to build meals from foods that are commonly available. It is the original Zone Diet, prior to when the zonefast foods came along.

No, I don't believe that there is enough fiber in the products, and so you must supplement with veggies and fruits in order to get adequate fiber. The 1-2-3 plan lays out how much additional food is recommended.

Thanks, Ayesha. :)

I hope my photos answered your question about the veggies, fruit and fiber I eat. I knew they would say much more then I could write here.

I stay away from most dairy products for several reasons, so I can relate to what you wrote about cheese. Once in a great while I'll indulge by eating a block or less of cheese.

I think this is the link you asked about re AA: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/
These numerical references will help you identify various fats:

DGLA – C20:3 (n-6)
LA - C18: 2 (n-6)
AA C 20:4 (n-6)
EPA - C20:5 (n-3)
GLA – C18:3 (n-6)
DHA – C 22:6 (n-3)

“Classic Zone” refers to Zone balanced meals that don’t include ZoneFast food.

“Zone 1-2-3” refers to the way to put together Zone balanced meals from packaged foods such as soups, frozen dinners, etc.) Here’s how it’s explained on the Classic Zone page of this site (http://www.zonediet.com/tools/zone-classic):

"Zone 123™- Evaluate Pre-Packaged Foods to help you along
Zone 123™ helps you make smart choices about which pre-packaged foods you purchase and consume. Foods such as microwaveable meals have Nutrition Facts that can be easily evaluated for Zone Balance™.
SIMPLE METHOD: For every 3 grams of carbohydrates there should be 2 grams of protein and 1 gram of fat. Subtract the fiber in the carbohydrates."

The phrase “1-2-3” is also used to refer to the 3 important parts of the Zone; 1- The Zone Diet, 2- Omega Rx, 3- Polyphenols.

“ZoneFast” refers meals that include the Zone baked foods (pastas, pizzas, breads, cookies, etc.).

Re your question about the differences between Classic and ZoneFast, one word: results. Zone foods provide the excellent hormonal control that the Zone Diet is famous for. They contain virtually no omega 6 fat which means they’re excellent for lowering cellular inflammation. The baked ZoneFast foods provide increased satiety. Because of the way Zone foods are baked, the protein is able to reach the lower gut where it increases the release of PYY; PYY signals satiety in the brain. As if this was not enough, they’re baked fresh to order and delivered straight to your door, they’re easy, convenient, very delicious and provide endless variety to meals and snacks (can you tell I like them? lol).

Hmmm. Thank you Sue. It is more clear now.


Although I read the books in the past, I have forgotten all the details and have no idea what PYY is? I follow the basics of balancing carbs, protein, and fats; eat 3 meals, 2 snacks per day (although I have to begin including the snacks again), and take the Omega Rx, drink water, and ideally exercise. I also will refer to the preferred foods listing in "The Zone Cookbook". However, is there a listing of good Omega 3 foods vs. Omega 6 foods? And what about foods high/low in AA? And I still don't understand how to use the AA site.

PYY (Peptide YY) is released in the lower gut that signals satiety to the brain (reduces appeitie, you could say).

You're welcome, Ayesha.

The help page page explains how to use the site (nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/help). Once you find the result for your specific food, you can scroll down to the lipid section to view the fat makeup, using the reference numbers I posted to identify the various types of fats.

Your goal in the Zone is to eliminate as much omega 6 fat and AA as possible from your diet.

Fatty fish are the best source of long chain omega 3's. Plant foods contain short chain omega 3's which must first be converted in by the body before they can be used by the body. This conversion process lengthy and inefficient. You can read more about it in the Appendix of "The Soy Zone". Most of the common vegetable oils, especially seed oils, are composed predominately of omega 6 fat. Animal fats also contain omega 6 fat. Sesame oil is an omega 6 fat, though it sontains something called sesamol which is of some redeeming value as long as you limit you intake of sesame. Your best bet is to stick with the proteins and fats which Dr Sears suggests to be the best choices for the Zone (http://drsears.com/ArticlePreview/t...ault.aspx)