It's me again - "HUNGRY". It's way sad, but I did as one of the list members suggested and became VERY careful with measurements and counting blocks. I also went back to 3 blocks and reduced the fruit and added more veggies. I also stopped trying to modify TV dinners and went to preparing all my meals nearly from scratch using Zone book recipies. Nevertheless, I still had the same problem: 1. After a meal I had to eat again within 3 - 4(if I'm lucky) hours (and that even means after a two egg omlette with approximately 2 cups of veggies, 3 1/2 slices of turkey bacon, fruit, and plenty of olive oil.) So I feel like I'm hungry all the time. That coupled with the next problem below makes me wonder what in heaven's name is wrong with me. 2. When I get hungry and let it go for a half hour until I can prepare something I get nauseous and irratable (sp!). Because of this it's nearly impossible for me to go on a shopping day trip. My experience was so bad that I totally gave up on the diet this weekend and cannot get the courage to try again. Because my symptoms are indicative of low blood sugar I am afraid I'm doing more harm than good on this diet. If anyone has had this problem or if the lady who was offering help is still here please contact me. Thanks bunches! Rose

Hi Rose, I'm one of the people who replied to your earlier post. The hunger and nausea you describe can be eliminated with proper balancing of P,C, F. You describe classic symptoms of a blood sugar rise, and then a drop due to too much insulin being produced becuase the meal spiked you blood sugar levels. I speak from experience. Prior to being in the Zone the same thing happened to me on a daily basisd. I will need more info to advise you. I need to know the specifics of the meal you described, such as what veggie you had 2 cups of, which fruit and the specific amount, the amount of oilve oil, etc. It would also help to see an entire day of meal/snackspecifics and timing. If you should happen to post this info it may take me a few days to get back to you as I am leaving tomorrow AM on a 3 day trip. Sue

Sue: I'll have to get all the info at home. I'll try to do that at lunch. Rose

[quote:494b2eec71="rosewelsh"]Sue: I'll have to get all the info at home. I'll try to do that at lunch. Rose[/quote:494b2eec71] Rose: I eat every 3 hours, whether hungry or not. You just may be the type of person that needs to graze to keep a nice steady drip of blood sugar to your brain. I eat 6-7 times a day. :mrgreen:

A: Thanks for replying! Could you tell me how you are fairing on the Zone: lost weight etc? How to you do that grazing thing when you go on a big shopping trip all day? The meal that lasts me 5 hours plus when I do get hungry I don't get sick is this: 2 cups lettuce with a few slices of cucumber, tomato, onion and 6 black olives 3 Table spoons ranch 1/4 avacado 1/2 cup watermelon 1/2 cup grapes 1 oz cheese 3 oz chicken

Dear Rose, There's some wonderful advice here already. I think the tip about grazing has particular merit. You shouldn't feel hungry 2-3 hours after a meal. When I teach people to eat I actually tell them to eat 5 meals a day (not snacks). You don't have to be paranoid. Because the zone diet is so low in calories most people could eat a whole extra meal every day and still be under the total calories required to lose body fat. Especially if you're exercising. Large meals also stimulate insulin production so by trying to eat so you won't be hungry in 5 hours you might be eating a little too much in one sitting (although you might not). If your protein/carbohydrate balance is right the only other thing is your fat intake. Remember that fat releases a hormone called CCK that stimulates feelings of fullness to your brain. Fat also slows down the conversion of glucose from the carbohydrates you eat giving you a more even release over the next few hours. I notice the meal you have where you don't get hungry includes avacado and olives both good sources of fat. I have personally found that olive oil does not reduce my hunger the same way that almonds or fish oil will. (If I have salmon which is very high in fish oil my hunger goes away for a long time). I have a personal rule to eat enough almonds to cover the palm of my hand in a single layer. If I get at all hungry and don't have time to prepare a meal I'll snack on a few almonds and sometimes some lettuce or greens as well. But I very rarely get hungry because I eat every two and a half hours to every three hours. Five small meals a day. (I'm a fairly tall male and I have a meal around the size suggested for a woman). One simple way to do this is to prepare three meals at breakfast time. If you eat foods you can store in the refridgerator or esky this works well. My favourites are boiled egg whites, turkey breast and tinned or smoked salmon. I'm not big on cooking and the turkey breast and salmon don't need any. The eggs I boil up by the dozen in advance. They keep for a week in the fridge. You may have to look at increasing your insulin sensitivity too if possible through exercise and reducing your stress or learning relaxation responses to stress. Stress releases the hormone cortisol which decreases insulin sensitivity. I hope my ramblings help a little. I think the best suggestion is just to eat more often and don't be afraid of eating a little more fat, in the form of a few almonds or a little more avacado. The fat ratio in your diet is not crucial. Elite athletes are supposed to eat twice as much for example. So eating a little too much won't throw out the whole diet. Kindest regards, Andrew Cavanagh

[quote:8161223993]How to you do that grazing thing when you go on a big shopping trip all day?[/quote:8161223993] I usually bring bars or zone snacks with me. That way I can shop and not be tempted by all the carbohydrate rich-laden junk foods in the shopping malls. :lol:

My name is Ronica, and I am a shopaholic. Admitted, but bringing zp bars, or string cheese and a little baggie of grapes or 1/2 apple works well for me. Some bars are available in drug stores or discount stores, so you can even grab them when you are out. When I am over-tempted by sweet treats, I find that a decaf coffee with a little milk or cream (the extra fat won't hurt much according to others on this forum :) ) and some splenda (or equal in a pinch) will kill the urge. Makes me feel "treated", without blowing it entirely. The scones and cheesecakes at Starbucks/Barnes and Noble are difficult to walk by, but this will usually keep me from actually consuming them. See you at the mall! ;) Ronica

Hi Folks... Perhaps it's because I was so overweight and unhealthy to begin with and now I feel sooooooo much better, but the sight of sweets, pastries, etc. doesn't even ellicit a temptaion response in my brain any longer. Every morning I go into Dunkin Donuts to get my cofee and there is pastries and donuts galore. I haven't had any of this garbage since I began the Zone earlier in the year and I can honestly say that I don't miss it one little bit. I do have my ice cream and cottage chese nearly every night but for the most part, that's the extent of it. After realizing what a powerful "drug / fuel ' food truly is, I treat it as such. Having lost 11 inches from my waist and 82 pounds to date is enough positive reinforcement for my brain.....the other stuff is truly poision. Jim

HI, Congrats on your continued success! :mrgreen: My experience with tempting sweets has been much the same as yours, except for the ice cream every night part. That's not to say I don't eat a goodie or two (or 3....) every once in a while! :D Sue

Congrats, Jim! :D

I keep pleasing myself that I hit these milestones... I appreciate all of your support :mrgreen: Jim