I have a kid who is classed as 'emotionally disturbed'. She is often pretty depressed and is seriously overweight from meds she used to be taking (they were to help control her very violent behaviour). Thankfully she is now off these. As she isn't allowed to attend school and is pretty alienated from most other kids (she's also copped a lot of abuse for being fat) and she doesn't get much exercise at all - she spends most of her time in her room. She's fourteen and it's gotta be the worst age to be over weight and cut off from peers. As must be obvious, her depression is 'reasonable'. I've moved to the Zone from Atkins and I'm taking her with me. She had pretty good results with Atkins but tended to overdo it - it's part of her condition that she does this. I did notice an improvement in her moodiness when we cut the carbs. I think the Zone is more gentle and for us a better life long way of eating - we both love fruit and vegies. I'm really hoping that increased energy will get her up and about more despite herself. The other thing I'm enjoying is that the Zone is pretty forgiving - if she blows it then she just starts again with her next meal so it takes away the sense of failure. She is keen to Zone but her problems make it harder for her - That said I'm really in need of links to info on adolescents and Zoning. I'm also after recipe links suitable for Australia (yes I've found Anne-Marie's excellent site and the Australian and New Zealand ones). I've googled diet+zone but most of the hits are for ads/commercial sites. I also have some questions: 1. I've calculated her at 11 blocks - I did her measurements as though an adult (she'll be 15 in 5 months). Is this right? Do I need to add a block or two as she is still growing? She is exceptionally big boned according to her pediatrician. 2. She seems to be hungry about two hours after a 3 block meal - but she needs the one block snacks to keep her going through the day. I tried with a four block dinner last night but it was the same - so I gave her supper (one block) two hours later and that settled her. 3. As she isn't hungry in the morning I've cut breakfast to two blocks to give her a one block snack at morning tea (she seems to want the appearance of more meals /snacks). Is this OK? Can I also take a block from her lunch to give her later? Can she Zone with lots of two and one block snacks until I can noramlise her eating? 4. I know breakfast is important but she often refuses to eat within an hour of waking (and with a kid like this no means no lol). I know this has a metabolic impact but how important is it really? When she will eat she isn't really hungry - her appetite doesn't seem to kick in until afternoon. Enough for now I think. I've ordered A Week in the Zone but won't get it for two weeks.

Eliminate or cut way back on starches and sugars. Replace them with vegetables and fruits. -C.

redundant

We do that already having come from Atkins - haven't eaten starches or sugars for almost a year

how much vegetables and fruit do you get? -C.

Thanx for your imput cduane All meals zone balanced - I'm only using favourable foods from Dr Sears' list. I weigh her food so I get the portions right. She drinks far more than the 2 litres of water required (we are metric here lol). I calculated her blocks from the calculator at DrSears.com. As we were having less carbs previously I'm wondering if the sudden increase in carbs and lessening in fat is responsible - Atkins is much lower in carbs and higher in fat. I was thinking that maybe for a week that I should decrease carbs for her and increase fat and see how it goes - I noticed somewhere in fine tuning that sometimes this makes a difference and the proportions to do this - I could then change back it once she is less hungry. Her tummy definitely sounds like she is hungry lol BTW - I'm not hungry at all and have heaps of energy. It seems strange that she weighs about 90lbs more than me but is on the same number of blocks but apparently this is calculated on the blocks you should need when at best weight.

Some of the high fiber carbs also have big volume and can feel more filling. Like broccoli, tomatoes, peppers. For example, two tomatoes have the same carbs as one apple. Charlie.

[quote:899dd3989c="Maigan"] 2. She seems to be hungry about two hours after a 3 block meal - but she needs the one block snacks to keep her going through the day. I tried with a four block dinner last night but it was the same - so I gave her supper (one block) two hours later and that settled her.[/quote:899dd3989c] If her hunger is accompanied w/sluggishness and/or cravings drop a carb block from that meal. If she is hungry but still has good mental focus, add a carb block. Post some meal samples that don't seem to be holder her for 4-6 hours and we can see what can be adjusted. The right protein-carb ratio will maintain her blood sugar levels until the next meal. [quote:899dd3989c]3. As she isn't hungry in the morning I've cut breakfast to two blocks to give her a one block snack at morning tea (she seems to want the appearance of more meals /snacks). Is this OK? Can I also take a block from her lunch to give her later? Can she Zone with lots of two and one block snacks until I can noramlise her eating?[/quote:899dd3989c] You can break up your blocks however you choose. Smaller, more frequent meals are often more beneficial. [quote:899dd3989c] 4. I know breakfast is important but she often refuses to eat within an hour of waking (and with a kid like this no means no lol). I know this has a metabolic impact but how important is it really? When she will eat she isn't really hungry - her appetite doesn't seem to kick in until afternoon.[/quote:899dd3989c] Ideally you should eat before you are hungry to reduce the likelihood of eating a hormonally incorrect meal. Perhaps a 1 block snack within the hour of waking, and a 2 block breakfast/snack 2-3 hours later?

Thanx folks. It seems from what you say that I'm going to somehow have to get her to eat in the morning. Despite my concern over giving a kid a Zoned bar for a waking snack (they [i:4e1a6e625f]are[/i:4e1a6e625f] made up like sweets) I think I'll investigate them further. Maybe they will be of use in this situation. I haven't written down everything she eats - only a quick note of when and how many blocks. I'll try to do this too. She does love milkshakes and 2% milk looks like it is perfectly balanced so I'm going to try her with a shake this morning and see if that gets her going. Are flavour essences OK? Can you give me a link for how to drop the carb block? Do I up the fat? BTW - is gelatine allowed? It looks like gelatine for 2 cups of liquid here would be 1 protein block.

Hi, Yes, flavorings are ok; milkshakes are good but one usually gets less time in the Zone with liquids (even when Zone balanced); and yes, as you aksed, teenagers still growing should have additional blocks. Try having her favorite foods, but made in a more Zone friendly way. Experiment with the things she likes best for the Zone favorable foods to come up with new favorites. I'v taken my 3 kids through their teen yrs in the Zone. I've focused on instilling in them the need to balance, and then give them the leeway to do it themselves. It has worked out well. My youngest, eighteen, has always loved to cook and now makes most of his own meals. And yes, he makes Zone balanced meals (chicken stirfry, tuna melts on a siongle slice of low carb bread, nachos, chili, and salads ar his favorites). He has a lot of leeway to make his own choices and for the most part he's Zoned. I've found that the longer kids eat this way, the more they choose Zoned foods. Kids eat out a lot, and by giving them the basics of the Zone but leaving the choices up to them you've done you rbest to promote a healthy lifestyle for them. If you haven't already, consider giving your daughter pharmaceutical grade fish oil (PGFO). My youngest, my son I mentioned above, has ADD and learniing disabilities. He has gone from failing grades as a freshman, to passing honor roll grades as a senior , due to adding high dose PGFO to his diet. It greatly helps ADD kids(his grades went up an average of 15 points from one markign term to the next when we first added PGFO). Hope this helps. Sue

@Sue - helps a lot. Good to know about the liquids. I'll try her with one extra block and see if that solves the problem. I might five it to her as half blocks added to existing ones or as an extra snack at a hungry time of day. No problem with just adding 2X1/2 block is there?

[quote:1309360947="Maigan"]@Sue - helps a lot. Good to know about the liquids. I'll try her with one extra block and see if that solves the problem. I might five it to her as half blocks added to existing ones or as an extra snack at a hungry time of day. No problem with just adding 2X1/2 block is there?[/quote:1309360947] Hi, Yes, half blocks are fine. I'd say it would be best to add them as extra snacks. I've found that adding the extra blocks in the first half of the day, and in the afternoon is best when hunger is a factor. Eating within the first hour after waking will help also, but I realize she doesn't really want to do that. She might need more than one additional block, but that would depend upon her size. It is recommended to increase the activity level by two levels when figuring teenager's protein needs. This allows for the fact that they're still growing. Once she's really in the Zone, she shouldn't be experiencing a "hungry time of day". Best of luck. Sue

Maigan, sorry to hear that your daughter is having problems. I am not going to comment on the diet itself, because I have just started and will leave that to the ones that know more. But, if you don't mind a suggestion....have you tried a Horse Therapy group for her. I haven't any personal experience with one, but have heard great things about the good work and how much they help kids. It seems kids and horses just go together.

No - haven't done that. She generally refuses to interract with most other kids and definitely won't join groups - although I'm hoping I can get her to music this year (she has so far refused) cos she sings like an angel and writes realy great songs. She's always been musical. I even know someone with a recording studio who would help her make a CD but so far the answer is no. *sigh* If I wasn't so incredibly allergic to animals a pet would be wonderful for her - but it's just not possible. I've tried it before and she responded really well but I ended up in intensive care lol I agree that getting together with other kids would be wonderful. Unfortunately she is so used to the general reaction from other kids about her weight and social inappropriateness that I think she is too afraid of being hurt. BTW - moods still much better now. She had a bad night after a hungry day - and then stayed up for hours after her last snack - that was when the temper went. I'm adding another block or two.

maigan wrote: [i:1697902ac8]...she had a bad night after a hungry day...[/i:1697902ac8] Maigan have you seen any connection between hungry days and bad nights? does this happen regularly? sounds awful after all you are doing for her but have you ever kept a food/behavour diary? I would go with splitting the food into as many parts as she wants. I sometimes graze all day! Leave my lunch on the plate and nibble at it from time to time (but i do try to eat a balanced mouthful ie some protein and some carb on the fork). Dont over worry about not eating in the AM - I like the idea of the milk drink. Balance it up with the protein powder and hey presto, You've got it! cheers Top

Slknorr wrote: [i:397a540595]My youngest, eighteen, has always loved to cook and now makes most of his own meals. And yes, he makes Zone balanced meals (chicken stirfry, tuna melts on a siongle slice of low carb bread, nachos, chili, and salads ar his favorites). He has a lot of leeway to make his own choices and for the most part he's Zoned. [/i:397a540595] Sounds Fab! has he thought of writing a cooking book? How do you make "low carb" bread? Is there such a thing? Top

We use the new SaraLee bread it is called Heart Healthly 100 whole wheat.. Wonderful bread...

[quote:4edce73f7f="TopBoffin"]Slknorr wrote: [i:4edce73f7f]My youngest, eighteen, has always loved to cook and now makes most of his own meals. And yes, he makes Zone balanced meals (chicken stirfry, tuna melts on a siongle slice of low carb bread, nachos, chili, and salads ar his favorites). He has a lot of leeway to make his own choices and for the most part he's Zoned. [/i:4edce73f7f] Sounds Fab! has he thought of writing a cooking book? How do you make "low carb" bread? Is there such a thing? Top[/quote:4edce73f7f] Hi, The type of bread I was referring to is one made of sprouted grain and contains no flour. It is a hearty bread, not a squishy type, and, because the grains have been sprouted first, they are lower in carb. There are several brands of it here in the US. The one I prefer is Alvarado Street Bakery. They contain only wholesome organic ingredients. One slice had about 1 carb block. They are still unfavorable carbs, but are preferable to traditional breads. We buy the rye (for it's lower GL), or the multi-grain/legume one which is called "California Blend". These are not to be confused with all the low carb foods containing sugar alcohols that have suddenly been appearing on the grocery store shelves in the last 6 mos. Yes, he should write a book! :D Maybe it'd help with those college tuition fees! :lol: Sue

Well here's some news: My daughter has now been roughly zoning for 3 weeks. I'm not being strict and allowing her some naughty meals but she's lost 2kg (4.4lbs) even so. Not only that but I've assumed she'd need more than 11 blocks even though she is ultra sedentary cos she is so big boned and still 14 so I've allowed her about 13 blocks per day!!!!! I tried giving her an extra carb for her hunger but adding another couple of blocks did the trick and now she seems to go longer between wanting food. I'll cut it back when I can to allow her to have some meals with her friends (who eat appallingly) but even so both she and I are pretty pleased. The best thing for a kid like her, who will fight every step of the way (cos that's her illness) is that she doesn't have to feel guilty so there's no need to give up. Her hair and skin look better too! The biggest change is that her tummy no longer looks pregnant!!!! and from behind we can now see the 'female walk' cos she isn't walking funny due to loss on her waist, hips and thighs. We haven't measured her and only weighed twice (a good thing I think) but her clothes sure look better. She is also less moody and keeps getting up to move around - this is a major plus.

Congratulations to both of you! :D That's wonderful to hear that this has helped her. Keep us updated!