I've been reading the above posts and I too am new to the zone. Day 2 to be exact. I did it years ago and had wonderful results and felt the greatest energy ever. As far as coffee goes, can some have decaf coffee with regular cream? or how about decaf coffee with fat free french vanilla creamer? I need an easy way to think of this. I don't use sugar. I've been drinking regular Dunkin Donuts coffee with cream, but after reading the above posts I'm going to switch to decaf. Does anyone have some answers for me? Thanks

Well, a couple of things on that...

Cream is a poor choice for fat, and the powdered creamers are not much better, as they have either hydrogenated fat and/or corn syrup solids.  Not that great for the Zone. 

Your question is timely because I was just reading somewhere that a good suggestion is to switch from cream to whole milk to lighten your coffee.  Yes, whole milk is still not a good fat, but you will get much less of it as you add it to your coffee. 

You said you don't use sugar, but for others who may be reading, a good sweetener to use is either splenda or stevia.

I gave up coffee about a month before I started the Zone. It wasn't easy; but, fair or not, I could tell it was putting my system out of balance (what Zoners would call, out of the zone). Some people can tolerate caffeine. If you can't function without coffee, then something is out of balance and I'd say it's a good idea to find out what balance feels like.

Consider reading Adrenal Fatigue. It might help you understand why you need caffeine so much.
Adrenal-Fatigue-Century-Stress-Syndrome

The way I weaned myself off of coffee was to reduce my daily dose to 3/4 for a few days, then 1/2, then 1/4, and then off. It took another month to feel really good without it, but it was worth it because now I wake up with energy.

OK, no coffee no me in the Zone good bye

Can you do de-cafe?

I have done de-cafe years ago, Swiss Water Method. I suspect that this caffine restriction also applies to tea. I tried the links previously posted, no connection...3years old. I've read the Omega Zone and some of the inflamation book....I had not seen anything about caffine in either book. If I had I probably would not have registered with this site. But I'm here, maybe an accommidation can be made. So if you would, please tell me about the caffine restriction and/or where I can read more about it (website preferably). Caffine/coffee is a much discussed subject, some say it is good for you, others say it is not good....I believe it is not harmful and that it is a healthfull beverage. But I would like to hear what you have to say. Thanks.

Caffeine is not allowed if you strictly follow the zone, that does not mean that you could not have your 1 or 2 cups of coffee ea day. I, myself, do not drink any caffeine, not because of Zone, I have never drank coffee or caffeine drinks, and I do not like coffee. BUT, many here still do drink their coffee and Zone all of their foods. I agree, there are many conflicting studies touting both the benefits and harm of coffee, no definitive answer.

David check out this link in reference to caffeine http://www.drsears.com/SearchResult...h=Caffeine

Here's another link I found.  http://www.drsears.com/tabId/399/it...carbo.aspx


____________________________________________

sue
Consultant of Zone Labs
Certified Zone Affiliate

Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil.   ZoneFast 1-2-3 is the best!

View my Zone Fast 1-2-3 meal photos here:
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...3%20Meals/

View my classic Zone meal photos here:
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...4/?start=0

Sorry off topic.
But went thumbing through Sue's photobucket... and OMG! 1st: What an album. 2nd: Thanks for the dedicated time. 3rd: I can see that you will eat just about anything. I consider myself a healthy consumer--BUT--I wouldn't touch half those dishes. I am SO envious!
I am on my first day. Spent time (lots of time) yesterday creating excel worksheets to keep me organized. Joined this site, and am trying to "gear myself up". It seems so difficult/overwhelming at this point. And yes, I was wanting to grab that cup of coffee this morning In regards to beverages; I am not a soda drinker, not "addicted" to coffee, but I am to milk. In my Zone research, I have not seen anything in regards to berverages? Is our only [Zone correct] choice water?
How did I happen on the Zone. I was disgnosed with fibromyalgia. Was told from dr. to start yoga, swimming, bike riding, etc. Side effects from the FMS meds are "horrible" (quote) & refused to put me on them. Fine by me--as I am not a pill taker. In my FMS research, found out I could also change my diet to help. One of the worst things for a FMS sufferer is MILK! I am ok with water--BUT was wondering if there is anything else out there? ...in a couple pics [Sue], you had a dark drink--what was that?
Also, I am having a hard time with all these meals and food to consume. I have been a once a day eater. This is really a lot for me. Any tips on a small portion meal (3 blocks) so that I won't feel like I am chowing down a horse?

Thanks Wendy.  There are a few things I won't eat. 

Water is what I usually drink.   The dark drink is water with a small splash of pomegranate juice.

The 3-block meals/1-block snacks plan is a suggestion the suits many people's needs, but there are other alternatives.  You might want to try more frequent 2 block meals throughout the day (5 2-block meals and a 1 block snack would give you 11 blocks).  Meals of Zone foods would be perfect (a turkey sandwich, a roll or a toasted bagel with olive oil for dipping, granola, etc.).

____________________________________________

sue
Consultant of Zone Labs
Certified Zone Affiliate

Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil.   ZoneFast 1-2-3 is the best!

View my Zone Fast 1-2-3 meal photos here:
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...3%20Meals/

View my classic Zone meal photos here:
http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...4/?start=0 

I drink flavored seltzers

Reading through your post, you could easily add milk to your zone meal plan, provided that it doesn't adversely affect your personal results.

1 cup of Milk is a balanced protein/carb zone block.  If you drink skim milk, then you would need to add fat (you could eat 6 almonds).  If you drink milk with some fat, then you may not need to add the additional fat to it.

You could add a cup of milk to your meals, and that would decrease the overall volume of them, and then hopefully you won't feel like you are chowing down that horse!

That said, I went back to your post and saw that you posted about how milk is not good for Fibromyalgia patients, so perhaps you don't want to go down that road.  So, if soy milk is acceptable you could switch to that, instead.  Myself, I am not a proponent of soy products at all, but there are some folks here who support using soy milk. 

Other beverages, I drink sparkling water, tea (iced and hot).  I enjoy a soda now and then, but I don't make it a habit.  I also really enjoy coffee, and decaf is acceptable in the Zone. 

Thanks girls. What about Almond milk? Any info?
And Sue, I did switch to a 2,2,2,3,2 instead of 3,3,1,3,1. It makes more sense for me. One of my fav lunch's is a 4 piece shrimp cocktail (2P), with fruit on the side (2C) and a nut of some sort (2F). The veggies are scaring the heck of me--just SO much to inhale! Seems to me everyone talks in the forums of turning to the 1/2 apple all the time. Seems unfortunate to the vegetables And boy oh boy, I want to keep eating the cashews/macadamia's once I get that taste in my mouth. So I have been eating those first, to not have that lasting flavor. Breakfast was difficult, until I found the egg whites and canadian bacon/sausage & again with fruit on the side. I ♥ bagels and smoked salmon--but according to my calculation I could only have half a bagel with 3oz of salmon & half a tomato & cream cheese. That was A LOT of salmon on one half of bagel--even for me! I was forcing that breakfast down one morning. Seems to be getting easier to eat so often. I have noticed by dinner I am feeling DONE eating. Either tired of planning my blocks and/or tired of eating. I just don't feel like eating?
I did get some decaf tea and coffee--although, have to factor into blocks because I can't drink them plain. I like the sweetness.

Almond milk may differ from one brand to the other, so be careful to read labels.  The best option is to choose one that is unsweetened, otherwise you may end up with some unfavorable carb.

I am familiar with Blue Diamond brand, and basically for an 8 oz serving, you are getting 3g fat, 2g carb with 1g fiber for a net of 1g carb, and 1g protein. 

I would consider it a zone-favorable drink, as it does not appear to be something that would have any significant impact on insulin.  With the nutritional breakdown as it is, I count it as a fat.

Thanks C.
The way I was reading mine I was thinking the same thing. The reading is SO confusing to me though.

Well what I do is....breakfast....2 egg beaters (1/2 cup) (2 Protien blocks); 1 tsp olive oil (3 fat blocks) or you can have your 9 almonds; 1/4 cup of cottage cheese (1 Protien Block); SO....now for the carbs.... maybe you can have 1/2 cup of coffee and cream but NO SUGAR. Try weaning yourself off the sugar first and having less coffee. You can buy almond milk to flavor your coffee. mmmm. I have learned to drink coffee or tea without sugar and I am so used to it...i won't even go near the stuff unless i'm having something sweet. Also, for me, I like to buy the instant coffee so I control how strong i want to make it or you don't have to (just throwing out ideas) ...and this gives me a pick me up too. Not like a full cup but it wakes my senses up. So because with caffiene your insulin spikes..why not treat coffee as part of your carb intake ? SO less coffee and maybe have a low glycemic carb like throwing 1 block piece of fruit with it. This is how I would approach the carb / coffee idea. Sugar only raises your insulin as much as the coffee would. If you can't live without the sugar, go for splenda or something...but even substitute sugars are bad for you...so ...ya just can't win. For mid snack if you need it...a little more coffee (1/4 or 1/2 cup) with your protien and fat...or do the same for lunch..see my pattern? I think this would work the best...you just have to get used to the idea (1/4 to 1/2 cup coffee, low fat or cream but no sugar....cream/almond milk is like blocking the insulin from rising too quickly...that's how i think of it). Hope this helps.