Just starting out with the Zone and wondering if the Zone Perfect bar is meant to be a meal or snack replacement.

Zone Perfect is NOT endorsed by Dr. Barry Sears, they are NOT affiliated with the Zone diet, and they do NOT provide the hormonal controlled insulin release that the Dr. Sears ZONE bars do, which are only available through his (this) website. However, some folks can use other bars like Zone Perfect with some limited benefits.
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T o answer your question, Dr. Sears ZONE bars are meant to be used as a snack or can be used occasionally as a meal replacement.
I would not use another brand as a meal replacement, only in a pinch, 1/2 bar as a 1 block snack to hold me (us) over. Like when my wife and I kayack, bicycle, hike, snowshoe, etc. - Only if we are out of Dr. Sears Zone bars, or if we had not time to prepare our own snack, and we had to stop at a convenience store either prior to or after the activity.

Thanks so much for the useful info, John. Now I'm wondering what to do with these couple of boxes of Zone Perfect bars...

You could pass then out on Halloween or donate them to a food bank. :-)

It would go against my grain to give something to a food pantry that would not be of benefit to the recipient. People who need food from the food pantry need wholesome nutrition, not junk food. Just sayin'.

My take on this last comment, they're probably better nutrition-wise than the grain based products being distributed by food banks.

I tend to agree with Sue on this one.
Especially since my wife and I have used Zone Perfect and/or Balance bars on occasion, in a pinch.
When we did not have time to prepare our own 1 block snack ahead of time for planned or for unplanned activities/times,
and we had to stop at a convenience store.
Since we are not opposed to eating them as an occasional need, and since they are much better, at least food balanced, if not hormonally balanced, than most other junk.
I would see no reason not to give them to those in need.

Kind of lost track of this thread, as I have been quite busy lately...

I think my point was lost, and it is basically a personal preference, I don't like giving any kind of junk food to the food pantries. People who depend on food from food pantries need nutrition, not candy. So, I don't give cookies (not even the left-over boxes of girl scout cookies), bars, chips, etc. My conscience won't even allow me to give pasta products or cereal!

I tend to give lots of canned tuna/fish, veggies, beans. Things I would buy for my family, I would also give to the food pantry.

But, again, it is my personal preference, to give what I am comfortable giving, and I would not want to give someone in need something that I would not consider nutritious food.

Now, would I eat a zone perfect bar? Yes-in a pinch-I would. But, do I go out and buy them so that I can give them to a food pantry? NOPE.

Zone Bars don't fir into either snack nor meal category for women! Sexist, I say! :D But, I'll eat one occassionally, but I eat 1/2 first, then in an hour or so the other half. It isn't Zone-correct, but eating correctly never is easy. I wonder why they use fractionated palm oil, though. Isn't that high in saturated fat?

Zone Perfect Bars are not produce by Dr. Sears or Zone Labs. Many years ago Dr. Sears was involved, BUT ! Zone perfect went of formula and Dr. Sears withdrew his support and invlovement.

Dr. Sears produces his own bars, they are made with our Controlled Release Nutrition™ technology to stabilize blood sugar and conserve calories throughout the day, helping you to burn stored body fat as your primary fuel source instead of storing incoming calories as fat. The Zone allows you to stay fuller on fewer calories, and Zone Bars are a great way to eat when you don't have time to prepare a meal or snack.

Check out: http://shop.zonediet.com/custom/pro...29d3f594ff