New to the zone. Found many helpful answers in the Forums also-thanks to you all. I've been hungry between meals. I've also realized through the forums that I shouldn't drink reg. coffee or use spray butter-correct? Anyhow, in order to subdue my hunger, I chew sugarless gum(Extra). Is that ok? Thanks!

You're welcome!

It probably won't matter to much if you chew the gum (it was mentined recently by Dr. Sears on either this or his other site). It depends upon how you feel about artificial sweeteners.

Of bigger concern is the hunger. It means you aren't in the Zone. Recheck your daily block requirement and your meal bakance and timing fro starters. I'll eb glad to help if you have questions.

Butter spray probably wouldn't matter as long as you use very little of it. Again, it depends on how you feel about eating all teh artificial ingredients in the product. Yes, for the Zone it's better not to drink coffee that contains caffeine.

Thanks, Sue! Very, very helpful post. I'm wondering if I should change my block count due to my activity level. Some days I run 6 mi(60 mins)-other days I do a Crossfit workout(and plan to incorporate a 30 min run with it).
I worked 1-9pm yesterday. Hungry all day. At 10pm, I ate an additional 3 block meal. I woke up at 4am, had a 1 block snack and ran 6 mi. At 6:30, I ate a 3 block meal and at 11 am, I haven't been hungry. I'm very careful about getting the appropriate block count. Based on how I feel today, I'm thinking maybe I need to add more blocks. What do you think?

Hi Tracie,

Your block requirement is based on both your LBM and your activity level. Without knowing your LBM, I can't make a block suggestion. If you go here, you can quickly detemine both your LBM and block recommendation (use your current activity level adn if you change it recalculate your block requirement at that time):

http://www.zonediet.com/BodyFatZone...fault.aspx


Your carb choices, even Zone favorable ones, play a large role in hunger. In addition to calculating your block requirement, I'd suggest to begin keeping a food diary. Include in it the timing of meals, the specific foods and amounts eaten and how you feel 4 hours after the meal. This will be very useful for eliminating the hunger.