Hi gals (guys)

Glad to be part of this way of life!

I am so greatfull to have found the anti-inflammation book which I find extraordinary and so interesting.

I am a vegetarian, have diabetes type 2 and cholesterol. I don't eat meat, eggs nor fish (except for the fish oil)

My question is:
I see that their are carbohydrates and proteins in regular soya milk (mine is unsweetened though), yogurt, cottage cheese etc. Since they're in the carbohydrates table, do I had them up as proteins also in my total protein intake of just as carbohydrates?

Cheers!

Hi webberte!

You would count both the protein and the carbohydrate in cow's milk, yogurt and soy milk. Cottage cheese and cheeses made from animal sources would be counted only as protein for the Zone. For a veggie imitation cheese you would count any significant amount of carb it contains, and any protein it contains from soy. You could use the Zone Food Bock list as a guide to which foods to count as protein, which to count as carb, and which to count as both protein and carb.

Hey Sue!

I have the anti-inflammatory book and there is no list for protein (only good carbs and bad carbs), that's why I was wondering about them in milk products. Since tofu isn't also listed, I had to figure out how much grams (weight) is grams (nutritional value). Your answer in the weight lost section helped me calculate it.

Unless there is a Zone Food Block list on the web somewhere, I'll have to figure it out.

Thanks again.

Webberte, there is a food block guide on this web site. Click on Quick Start Guide under Helpful Tools on the right hand side of this page ... you'll find it there.

Hi, Webberte. If you are vegetarian I would highly recommend the Soy Zone. Dr. Sears believes that doing the Zone with Soy as the main protein is the healthiest version of the Zone. There is much more information in that book about block counts with Soy products and ideas for using them. It is my main reference although I own and have read all of the books and each of them has something new to offer.

Karen, wonderful, that helps

Anna, I will order the book this week for sure.

I have another question. Aren't we suppose to consider lentils and legumes (chickpeas, red beans etc.) as proteins also?

Thanks very much for all your help

p.s. Those smilies and quotes really don't work. Everytime I use them I end up removing them because they show html code!!!

No, although as vegetarians we were trained to think of those guys as proteins, Dr. Sears believes that we cannot access the proteins in plant foods because they bind to the fiber and cannot be absorbed. The only plant food that can be counted as protein is soy and processed soy at that (ie. tofu, tempeh, soy milk). He likes the soy products made from TVP although I somehow feel leary about them myself but that is a personal preference. If you want some (perhaps odd) ideas about eating tofu I will be glad to share.

Hi Anna!

I'm cuious. I'd love to hear you ideas about tofu!

Anna,
I would be interested in some odd ideas about tofu. See my thread in "Health" on talking about soy.....maybe you would feel inclined to post there.

Anna, thanks for clarifying the legume proteins question. I would also be interested in odd ideas about tofu

By the way I ordered the soy zone book yesterday!!! Yipi! Can't wait to get it

OK! Here goes! First, I have it for breakfast every day:
1/2 cup blueberries 1C
1/3 cup steel cut oats 1C
4 oz firm tofu diced finely 2P
I cook the oatmeal ahead then add a dash of water and the tofu and warm it in the microwave
1/2 yoghurt 1C/1P
Chopped almonds 3F
(Just a dash of stevia)
It makes a more substantial meal than protein powder, I like to chew!
I'll be back tomorrow with more thoughts on tofu.

OK, in spite of my tirade about tofu, I used to loooove it: sliced, sauteed (in water and tamari) served on a pc. of 100% rye toast spread thinly with tahini......YUM. yeah, that was 3 blk. tofu, and 2 blk. unfav. carb, then add a fruit carb.....a little iffy, but when I had reached my goal I ate this everyday with no prob.

janet, that sounds yummy!

I should have mentioned that you can eat the breakfast tofu with cold milk or soy milk, also half C and half P, and it is more like cereal.

This is not as odd as breakfast tofu but a good recipe:
12 oz firm tofu 6P
1 onion chopped 1C
1 large can fire roasted crushed tomatoes 5C
Garlic
Chili powder
cumin
oregano
vinegar
(pickled jalapenos)
(chipotle)
Finish with a bunch of chopped cilantro
My husband is a Texan so if I called this Chili he would faint dead away but it has a bit of that feel. I though about calling it Tofaux Chili (LOL)

It is even carbs and protein and 2/3 cup is one block. Eat 2 cups for a complete meal or:

2 blocks with 1 block grated cheese and 1 block black beans

Also, the same basic tofu, onion, tomato can be done in an Italian spirit with basil, rosemary, lots of garlic and served with cheese and spaghetti squash. Use good black olives for the fat block.

Here's one of my favorites. I take this for lunch nearly every day because it is easily warmed in the microwave. Carry the youghurt separate and add after warming.

If you have access to an Indian food store or specialty food store, look for Indian curry paste. My favorite is Tikka Masala or Mild Curry Paste.

Four oz. tofu (2P), cut in 2 or 3 slices and placed between layers of a dishtowel with a heavy plate on top to dry it.

Heat a heaping tablespoon in a little water in a frying pan till it softens and mixes with the water.

Crumble tofu into curry and mix and warm. (Just a minute or so is all it takes).

Serve with 1/2C yoghurt 1C/1P. I like it poured over and mixed together. The creamy cool yoghurt compliment the hot spicy curry. Add a block of veggie to complete.

DH prefers Thai curries which have a dimension all their own and are wonderful with fresh basil added at the very end.

Mmmm! sounds delicious. I'm gonna try them out

thanks

Oh, with the curry paste, it generally counts as the fat block for the meal as it is basically spices and oil The one's I have found use canola oil. Be sure to watch the type of fat!