For the last few years I have been re-living once again the diet wars and even with a turn at a supervised and (VERY expensive commercial diet program. I did lose thirty pounds but ended up with gout, which brought that all to swift end. I have been low carb-non - ketogenic, paleo low carb, paleo with safe starch, ray peated (just the opposite) and MRC ketogenic-ed (on which I got the gout) among a number of other plans and back right where I began weight wise, in spite of it all. I even went through orientation of one of those hospital plans but got scared off over nothing but liquid shakes and 800 cal a day for a male. I thankfully escaped that the same night.

Finally, I remembered that when I was on the Zone plan a number of years ago, I did experience more looseness in my clothes and felt much better than the present. Especially the latter. Like at the horse races, I got touted off and wanted something that might be faster. Live and learn.

Only about a week or so back to the Zone and it is like coming home after a long deployment and already noticed a stronger and steadier handwriting and better sleep. My prayer is that I will be able to stay on this wonderful program this time!

I still don't have it all working on the Zone program but trying to get there.

And on the cost - forget about it - believe me, the cost of this program using the Zone products would not come anywhere near the cost ot that last plan I was on!

My breakfast this morning:

3 egg whites with 1 yolk left in
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
1 cup strawberries
1/2 banana
1 slice Ezekial bread
1/4 cup pineapple
9 almonds.

Eventually, I need to get to a 4 block program.

I know it has to be off as I am not used to so much carb and the proportions are probably still off. Bear with me, but would appreciate your critique if someone has the time. Thanks!

I am off for a walk now!

Richard

Hi Richard, and welcome back to the Zone.

The meal critique:

1 whole egg: 1 P block
2 egg whites: 1 P block
1 cup strawberries: 1C block
1/2 cup cottage cheese; 2 P blocks.
1/2 banana: more than 1 C block
1 slice Ezekiel bread: more than one C block
14 cup pineapple: less than 1 C block
9 almonds: 3 F blocks

Total: 4P, 4C, 3 F

Comments:

Even though you've got 4P and 3F on paper, technically your good with fat amounts because that egg yolk contains more fat than a typical low fat Zone protein choice. That said, success in the Zone is about much more than achieving 4P, 4C, and 4F on paper. The best food choices are lean proteins, vegetables and berries, and monounsaturated fats such as almonds, olive oil and avocados. Egg yolks are to be avoided because they are rich in AA, a fatty acid. AA is the form in which inflammation exists in the cells of the body, and which Dr. Sears refers to as "toxic fat". The omega 3's in fish oil dilute excess AA, reducing cellular inflammation. Eating egg yolks is basically a fast track to increasing cellular inflammation. Most of the carbohydrate in your meal is higher density carbohydrate, aka unfavorable carbohydrate (banana, bread and pineapple). Dr. Sears recommends no more than 25% of all carbohydrate from unfavorable in any meal. The less unfavorable carbohydrate you eat, the better your insulin control will be.

A revamp of your meal:

Have an 8 egg white omelet, loads of veggies, and drizzle it (or cook it) with with 1 tablespoon of first cold press extra virgin olive oil (plus a few strawberries, if you like). As for loads of veggies, according to Dr. Sears that would be about 2 pounds of vegetables (weight prior to cooking). The veggies I like best with omelets are various combinations of onions, tomatoes, spinach, green squash, yellow squash, eggplant, peppers (all colors and types) and mushrooms.


I'll be happy to help. Have fun with it!

Thanks Sue for this quick response. My surprise is that the P-C-F came out so close. Maybe I haven't forgotten as much as I thought. I well understand what you are saying about the higher density carbs. I will work on keeping that at no more than 25%. Noted on the egg yolks.

Wierd how this types all the way across. Not sure if this will go through.

Thanks again!

Richard

You're welcome. Keep up he good job. And, if 2 lbs veggies sounds like too much, you'd be surprised at how it cooks down. The recent Chicken and Zucchini Noodle salad photo in my Food 2 album on FaceBook (Sue Knorr) started off at 2 lb of veggies.