I am new to the Zone - actually I haven't really started yet. Just checking it out and reading to see if it is feasible for me. I am vegetarina with hopes of going vegan. Anyway, I'm a bit put off by the high cost of the SIP test. I simply can't afford it. And why is it so obscure that it's only available in Canada? I'm thinking if other US labs could provide it, and lower the price, they coul do a high volume. Is this something Dr. Sears has a proprietray "lock" on? I've also read where it isn't that helpful, anyway. But I am digressing. My question is:
for many months I've been using a great peanut butter product called "Better 'n Butter". It has 50% of the fat of regular pb. To be specific - per 2 tbsp serving: 2 G fat, carb 14g, protein 4g and 100 calories. I love this stuff. How would it work in the zone? Thanks.

Hi Elizabeth!

Dr. Sears does not provide SIP testing. His most recent book TOXIC FAT contains a list of labs who do the test, 5 of them located in the US, 2 in Canada.

The Better 'n Butter nutrition label and ingredient list (available online) shows it contains 13 g carbohydrate and has food starches added. For the Zone, it would be better to stick with a peanut butter made only from peanuts.

Thank you Sue for the prompt response. I will check out the book you mentioned and also the Soy zone. Are the SIP tests done in US expensive? How much do they run/ Thanks.

Thank you Sue for the prompt response. I will check out the book you mentioned and also the Soy zone. Are the SIP tests done in US expensive? How much do they run/ Thanks.

You're welcome Elizabeth!

I paid about $160 (US dollars) for the SIP last year from Nutrasource Diagnostics in Canada. Prices differ. Nutrasource supplied me with the kit (blood draw info, vial, and return mailing material); the nurse at my doctor's office did the blood draw and mailed it to them. Very easy!

Elizabeth - I'd like to mention something you should think about before going vegan. My husband, myself, my daughter and a good friend have all tried eating vegan. i followed all the "rules" used lots of soy protein and made sure to combine etc. Have several cookbooks. The problem, we all started losing our hair after about 3 months. My GF's was so bad she went to her physician. He took some blood work and wow was she messed up. My family did it at a different time than my GF. We ended up adding back eggs and and a bit of dairy at first and that stopped the problem. If you decided to do it anyway, please be aware of the health risks.