I am new to the Zone way of life, but am so thankful I've been introduced to it. It has been about six weeks since I began. I've lost 10 pounds, most of the time have more energy, clarity of thinking and calmness. I am 69 years old, take no medications, though I have Lupus which has been in remission for nearly two years. I am daily learning and "tweaking." My question: Do Smart Balance products fit into the zone way of eating? There are several, oils, butter sustitute spreads, peanutbutter. The oil in the spread consists of palm fruit, soybean, canola, flax seed and olive oil. Total fat: 5 gm (sat. 1.5; poly 1.5 and mono 2 gm. It is a 4 to 1 ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 (omega 3 300 mg and omega 6 1,200 in a 1 tbs serving) I've been using the spread and peanutbutter (which isn't all natural). Thanks for your help.

Hi Janice. Welcome!

The product you posted the nutrition facts for would not be a good fat choice for the Zone. The fat added to Zone meals should be primarily monounsaturated fat, which that product is not.

Thank you, Sue, for answering my question. I will substitute more favorable fats from now on. Today I had 1 1/2 TBS of avacado on my salad and found it to be very satisfying. I'm also using almonds and macadamias in the right proportions for my snack fat blocks. I'm trying to develop a taste for olive oil. Olives are probably about the only food I dislike. Reading your answers to many of the questions in the various forum threads is being very helpful!

janice, start out with an olive oil that is light and buttery...some fancy shops can give you tastes.

Thanks you for the suggestion. Isn't Canola oil also a favorable fat? Is it as effective as Olive oil? Yesterday I bought some favorable peanutbutter from Vitamin Cottage so that will help as a substitute fat from time to time.

[quote]Posted By Janice on 04/20/2008 11:22 AM

Thanks you for the suggestion. Isn't Canola oil also a favorable fat? [/quote]

The oil from rapeseed is considered favorable as far as I know. (Rapeseed=Canadian Oilseed--Low Acid ) There has been a bit of a controversy as far as genetically engineered rapeseed. I've heard that all testing for omega ratios was done before the new variety became widespread. So as to the health benefits, it may be a different ballgame with the recent pressings. I still use it as a third tier, after olive oil and flax seed oil.

Tom

Thanks, Tom, for your information. For now, I'm determined to use as my primary oil, the bottle of organic olive oil I recently purchased. Gosh, food is becoming more and more expensive!

Janice,
In a book by Michael Pollan I read and then posted his simple rules on the 'fridge:
1. Eat real food, not too much, mostly plants
2. Spend more, eat less
3. Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize

Sums it up pretty well, for me, at least.

Tom

Thanks, Tom. Sound advice! I am greatly encouraged by the interaction of zoners in these forums. And I'm learning lots that's being helpful.