As far as all the bars that have been talked about - Zone, Balance, Clif, Perfect Zone, and the Target brand Zone bars - are they all the same serving size?

You would have to look at the wrapper. I think that most of the Balance bars and the Zone Perfect bars are the same, but not sure of the others.

[quote]Posted By Kimberly on 08/22/2008 11:02 PM

As far as all the bars that have been talked about - Zone, Balance, Clif, Perfect Zone, and the Target brand Zone bars - are they all the same serving size?[/quote]


Hi Kimberly,

Keep in mind that Dr. Sears Zone bars were studied in diabetics and results showed they keep insulin within the Zone range. Dr. Sears has patented them in this regard. That is one major difference between Dr. Sears Zone bars and others. Barry Sears has referred to the other bars sold in retail stores as "glorified candy bars" . They will not usually provide the insulin control that a Dr. Sears Zone bar does.

[quote]Posted By Sue on 08/23/2008 8:31 AM
Keep in mind that Dr. Sears Zone bars were studied in diabetics and results showed the keep insluin within the Zone range. Dr. Sears has patented them in this regard. That is one major difference between Dr. Sears Zone bars and others. Barry Sears has referred to the other bars sold in retail stores as "glorified candy bars" . They will not usually provide the insulin control that a Dr. Sears Zone bar does.
[/quote]


Sue,

If this is true, then why are diabetics not encouraged to eat bars and shakes all day long? Sounds like you are saying that bars and shakes are a "miracle cure" for type 2 diabetes.

Kimberly,

While it is true that Sears has developed these bars to be more "favorable" for diabetics to use in their diets, there are also other brands that claim that they have a low glycemic response, which would make them a good choice for diabetics, as well--if what they say is REALLY TRUE.

I guess I am skeptical of any of these bars really being what they SAY (including Zone bars) because I really have never actually seen the proof. What they ARE is a nice tasty treat! But, I must go out on a limb and say that I am not sold on the idea of using bars and shakes as meal replacements.

Cran, you are exaggerating what Sue has said. If fact, you are spinning her words into something that is not even there. What's your agenda anyway?

Thanks for the advice and tips. I have been under the false impression that all protein bars were good for us. I guess that's why it is always good to read the labels.

My pleasure Kimberly!

Thanks Cici!

[quote]Posted By Cici on 08/23/2008 10:31 AM

Cran, you are exaggerating what Sue has said. If fact, you are spinning her words into something that is not even there. What's your agenda anyway?

[/quote]

Hi, Cici!

Thanks for your opinion. I don't really think I am exaggerating what Sue had said. Rather, I am hoping that she would clarify her response. If, in fact, the zone bars and shakes were designed to keep the insulin levels within the Zone range (between 5 and 10), then isn't that-in essence-a cure for diabetes?

I don't really have an agenda. I guess I just don't want to see people "fooled" into believing that the Zone products are nothing less than miracle cures.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the bars, and just received a shipment today, which I have already broken into and divided up between myself and my husband (that is the only way I can keep him from eating up all of my bars!). Just an example, I order my bars so that I get a shipment every 2 months. My last shipment was at the end of June, and I still have 3 bars left. I use them primarily for the "emergency stash".

Any tips on the grocery shopping for the first time as far as "must-haves"?

I stock my kitchen with these basics: extra virgin olive oil, light olive oil, toasted sesame oil, almonds, Macadamia nut butter, peanut butter, low fat canola oil mayo, white wine or apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, tamari, Worcestershire sauce, protein powder, eggs, firm or extra firm tofu, garlic, our favorite dried herbs and spices, alcohol free vanilla and almond flavorings, onions, carrots, canned black beans, canned chick peas, canned diced tomatoes , canned plain tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, salsa, hummus, cocoa powder, Celtic salt (gray sea salt), chicken stock/broth and berries. You can put together tons of different meals and snacks from these items plus some added protein and veggies. As for the bulk of your P and C choices, it really depends upon your tastes.

Have fun shopping!

Hi Kimberly!

One tip that I think is highly important is to stay away from the aisles, as much as you can. Most of the foods that you need will be in the produce section, the meat department, dairy, perhaps the deli (but watch out here, read labels), and the frozen foods.

I watch for meats to go on sale, and then stock up my freezer. I buy some chicken breast, extra lean ground beef, etc. I also like seafood, and so I buy a lot of wild-caught salmon, tuna steaks, and I like to do white fish. I also enjoy shrimp and I occasionally do scallops. A lot of this, again, has to do with what is on sale.

In the produce section, I generally stock up on mushrooms, zucchini, onion, green pepper, tomatoes. I also try to buy what is in season.

The frozen foods are a wonderful place to save money when shopping for veggies. I think every store has a bit of a different variety, depending on the brands that they carry. But, shopping for frozen veggies will definitely be a way to add some color to your meals, without spending an arm or a leg.

Cottage cheese and plain yogurt are staples for me from the dairy section. I also keep eggs handy (not really a dairy product, but that is where you will find them!).

Hope this helps!

SUBJECT: LOW FAT TASTY CHEESE

I went to the internet to get a comparison of low fat cheeses in regard to their taste. Lo and behold I found out that "Cabot" makes a low fat cheddar which is delicious. They make a 75%, 60% and 50% low fat cheddar and they are all delicious. I found a bulk quantity (maybe 2 or 3 lbs.) at Sam's Club. Sam's also offers a bag of individually packaged Cabot 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar and each prepackaged piece is 1 oz. For the 50% reduced fat individually wrapped cheddar there is 6g of protein, less than 1g of carb and total fat of 3.5g. I don't have the wrapper any longer for the 75% or 60% reduced or low fat cheddar cheeses.
These are great for snacks, great for lunch or dinner and if you buy the bulk 1-2 lb. you can grate it and weigh it.

Hope this is helpful.

Graceful Lady

Margo,

Good advice. I love cheese, so I will look for that brand.

Sue, I can't believe you haven't entered your foil meals as a tip! I can't think of anything more time saving, yet delish. No, they aren't for the road......but save time at home. You should definately get a nod for that tip. I am like you now, eat them several times a week!

Hi Texas T!

I can't take the credit for that. I got my idea from the Zone recipes for meals in foil. :)

Hi, I guess I posted on the wrong thread somehow. Does anyone have any tips for taking the fish oil? I was able to drink the brain shake this morning for my breakfast, but I need to figure out how to get my 17 daughter to take it. It is kind of yukky. Thanks

Hi Kathleen!

I've just replied to this qn in the other thread in this forum where you posted.

Cheers!

I've been of the Zone for 1.5 years and I sill eat bread and I love it! Try sprouted grain breads!!!

Would some one fill me in on what the meals in foil are? Thank you. 2 days in the Zone...and trying to comprehend it all.

Sue has a meal that she did on the grill, I think it was ground turkey or ground chicken and she put the veggies along side and cooked it on the grill. I'm at work so I can't get to the link right now but if you don't get a replie, I will post it when I get home this evening.

Stick with it, Joan! It sinks in eventually! :-) Lots to remember and figure out, isn't there? I'm only in my second month and I can say that it gets a lot easier after the first week or two! Ask away here as well. Everyone is SUPER helpful.

Hi Joan!

If you scroll over the photo of the meal in my signature and click on the link that apopears, it will bring you to a photo album of some meals. One of them is a meal in foil that can be cooked either on the grill or in the oven.

Hi Sue,

I am trying to get to some of the recipes in your photobucket. Am I missing something? I am only getting to the pic and there are no recipes?? Should I be creating a login and password?

Thanks
Suzanne