When I discovered The Zone Point System instead of the Block or 1,2,3 method… I really want to try this. It seems so much easier than the block method to me.

http://www.zonediet.com/tabid/130/i...-easy.aspx

I am going to start using this as my way of figuring what I can eat and in how much quantity…

Of course, he still doesn’t make it simple enough. What if I only want a snack or 2 oz of protein? But following his guidelines for the point system I know that for every 1 oz of protein, you have 5 points of carbs. Now this is easier… you then go to the point guide (I’ll use the one in Dr Sears Anti-Inflammation Zone book) and I know I can have one oz of lowfat cheese (or other lowfat protein), 1 cup chopped raw spinach, ½ a bell pepper, ¼ cup chopped onions, ¼ cup sliced celery, ½ cup chopped tomatoes, ½ cup snow peas and a bit of olive oil and vinegar dressing and I have a nice one “block” snack. This makes three cups of vegetables… or a large “Chief salad”. However, I don’t care for oil and vinegar salad dressings so I would use a bit of low fat ranch dressing.

Or if I want a full meal, I would choose protein the size of my palm or three oz, perhaps 1 cup of Brussels sprouts, 1 cup cooked carrots, ½ cup of lentils, and ¾ cup of blackberries for dessert. And then a dash of olive oil or toasted sesame oil on my Brussels sprouts.

If I wanted to measure my fat intake, I could use the fat blocks. I block for each 1 oz of protein.

Has anyone else used the point system yet?

I see that there is already a discussion going on about zone points here: http://www.zonediet.com/RESOURCES/F...fault.aspx

I have also decided I like doing it my way. That is using the ratio of 3 protein to 4 carbs and working it out in fitday. It's probably just me, but there isn't too much guessing when using this and it is precise. Of course as we all know (and those that don’t will) that we don't have to be precise in order for the Zone to work for us. We do have to tweak it work for our own body chemistry and makeup...

I'm glad you're posting about your success with the Zone point system and also with putting together Zone meals your own way, as well as about not needing precision. Many people to get stuck on the idea tha there's only one way to do the Zone. The reality is that once you adjust your meals to meet you specific needs (to prevent hunger) and your protein requirement, you'll be eating the same thing whether you're counting points, or blocks, or grams, etc.

Keep up the good work Linda!