Hi all, I'm coming over to the Zone from the South Beach Diet and am not sure I completely understand it yet. I just love Lentil Soup and can't figure out is I can use it as a complete meal or how it counts as a carb or protein? Thanks and all the best, Linda

[quote:61cbf78097="jahmanwife"]Hi all, I'm coming over to the Zone from the South Beach Diet and am not sure I completely understand it yet. I just love Lentil Soup and can't figure out is I can use it as a complete meal or how it counts as a carb or protein? Thanks and all the best, Linda[/quote:61cbf78097] [color=darkred:61cbf78097]Hi, Welcome! It really depends on what is in the soup. If it contains only lentils and veggies, you would only count the C and F. The protein in veggies (with the exception of soy) is not counted for Zone purposes because, being bound in intricate fibers, it is not fully released during digestion to be absorbed for use. If the soup contains a significant amout of meat or soy, the P from that would be counted. Remember that when counting C for the Zone that you should subtract the total fiber from the total carbohydrates and count only the remainder (the insulin stimulating carb; fiber is not insulin stimulating).[/color:61cbf78097]

This I don't understand at all.......and I don't think the other person does as well.........

1. Only insulin stimulating carbohydrate is for Zone purposes. Fiber does not stimulate insulin production, but fiber is included in the total carbohydrate category on nutrition labels. Subtract total fiber from total carbohydrate on the label. Use the remainder for determining Zone blocks.

2. With the exception of soy, protein from plant sources is not counted for Zone purposes. Some protein is trapped inside insoluble fiber and never becomes available for absorption in the human digestive tract. Humans cannot digest (break down) insoluble fiber.