Not sure what forum this should be in, since it relates primarily to implementing the zone approach. I'm using the gram method. I use FitDay for a food diary. The stuff not counted in blocks (primarily protein) really affects the C-P-F percentages (see example below. maybe I'm not zoning right). Has anybody found a better tool? Thank you! example: Sunday Jan 15 meals **Totals: (13 blocks) Target 117g net carbs 91g protein 39g fat Actual: 1489 cal 115g net carb(153g carb 38g fiber) 33% 121g protein 35% 50 g fat 32% Note: the fat blocks are 3g Meal #1 [4 blocks] 1 c nofat cottage cheese (4 P 1 C) 1/2 c defrosted frozen berries (1 C) 5 raw almonds (1 F) 1 piece whole grain bread(2 C from label) 1 T peanut butter [3 F) 2 fish oil capsules (1 F) Meal #2 [3 blocks) 1.5 c defrosted froz green beans (1 C) .25 c canned black beans (1 C) 1 oz cooked chicken breast (1 P) 3 hard boiled egg whites (1.5 P) 1 tsp olive oil (1.5 F) 1 tsp flaxseed oil (1.5 F) 5 oz raw gr pepper (.5 C) .25 c raw onion (.5 C) 1 T Spicy Bean Dip (.5 C package) Meal#3 [3 blocks) 3 c cooked green cabbage (1 C) .5 c apple (1 C) .25 c cooked barley (1 C) 2.5 oz cooked chicken breast (3 P @.5 F)) 1 tsp olive oil (1.5 F) 5 raw almonds (1 F) Meal #4 [3 blocks) 1 c 1% milk (1 C 1 P 1 F) 1 piece whole grain bread (2 C) 1 T peanut butter (3 F) 1.25 oz cooked chicken breast(1.5 P) --messed up and didn't get enough protein, too much fat

Please excuse my inaccurate block conversions. :oops: For example: 1/4 c canned black beans is 6g net carb, so should be 2/3 C So sorry. That's why I use the gram method and 'something else' to do the addition! Linda

Hi Linda, I've found Zone Runner very helpful. You can download it for free at http://zonaware.com/freezone.htm.

Thank you very much, ozzone, for the reference. Downloaded the demo & I tried it with one of my meals. Substantial difference in calories associated with black beans & frozen green beans compared to FitDay and Nutritiondata (those yield basically the same numbers). Enough so the meal on ZoneRunner is 311 calories & FitDay is 375. I suspect the software has adjusted the nutritional data to reflect what's 'counted' for zoning. Interesting. I would have a different approach. Keep the nutritional data consistent with the real world. Count the relevant zone values, but be able to display both. Given a choice between the two, I'd still choose FitDay, even with the distracting percentages.