Does anyone have information regarding the safety of taking starch blockers [i:ddc7ab00ae]occasionally[/i:ddc7ab00ae] for high starch meals?

No. But I would consider it infinitely healthier simply not to eat the high starch meal to begin with. There are many carb-blockers out there, and I fail to see why we should believe our lives would improve if we take such a pill and then eat whatever we want. After a short time in the Zone, most people find their cravings for starchy carbs are satisfied by a small taste, and soon have no cravings at all. Stick with the plan a bit longer before you try a starch blocker, would be my advice. I'm to the point where even the thought of a bite of pasta or bread makes my mouth dry. Bread and pasta to me have the unappealing aroma of wallpaper paste, and it's very easy to turn away.

IMO, "magic pills" don't amount to a hill of beans! Eat the beans (low-glycemic ones, of course)! Remember that Zone is no-guilt. If you can't stand it, eat the pasta. You'll feel like garbage soon after, and your body will make its point to whatever caused you to eat it in the first place. You can always get back in the Zone with your next meal. I was amazed at the truth of this the first time I really binged. For me, it caused major GI distress--I'll never do that again! Plus, now I can actually stop after a little pasta or bread. (chocolate, on the other hand, I find a little more difficult to resist!) But some magic pill??? Baloney! Bull feathers! No WAY, Jose! :) Ronica

Okay, I agree that it's best not to cultivate a taste for starch. And I guess I thought I could take a starch blocker on those rare ocassions I dine out and eat a piece of bread. And I rarely eat starch. But every now and then when I'm dining out, I have a craving for sour dough rolls, cheese and wine. I love sour dough and french bread on occasion but I never eat bread at home. . . well, actually I do eat a piece of sprouted grain bread a couple of times a week at the most. But I must admit, even without my sugar cravings . . . there are times when warm hot bread (I remember the bakeries in Europe) is divine. But I do try to control how often I indulge. Oh well . . . I think I'll have a glass of wine and a few walnuts now :P so I'm signing off.

Eat it, no guilt, zone again at your next meal. But I _still_ think the idea of a magic pill to block starch is a load of crap. It's called a magic pill to block your money from staying in your bank account. :? I'd love to see real scientific evidence that it works. Just eat the bread. Leave the pills on the shelf. Ronica

Ronica, I forgot to thank you for your post regarding starch blocker. I have followed your advice and prefer to limit my starchy carbs due to cravings. I haven't had any bread since you last wrote me. Thanks again, Rosebud

Glad it helped! It sure helps me to avoid them in general. I crave it when I taste it--I try to enjoy the aroma when it's around, then have a glass of wine and wait for my salad. If I have one little taste, I either can't stop (bad!) or else I find I don't even want more because it tastes weird to my palate now. (this of course depends on the bread!) Glad to hear that your cravings are less. :) Ronica

Ronica, Regarding bread: [quote:de3601334c]If I have one little taste, I either can't stop (bad!) or else I find I don't even want more because it tastes weird to my palate now. (this of course depends on the bread!) [/quote:de3601334c] I know what you mean about craving. However I only have that problem at restaurants. At home I ocassionally have a half slice of Eziekial sprouted grain bread with protein and veggies and I feel great. . . no cravings. . no hunger afterwords for several hours. I've recently read new studies about buckwheat and it's effect on insulin. Buckwheat (kasha) lowers insulin resistance by 19 - 22% ! (Acutally it may be a little less than 22% - I have to find the studies). Buckwheat is classified as a fruit, not a grain, is glycemically efficient and has the bonus of lots of flavinoids. So it may be a great alternative to starch. Idelle

More than likely they dont work just like the diet pills which are equally as unhealthy.