Hi.. giving the Zone a shot at winning my heart here and couldn't find an answer to this...

How does the Zone feel about Ezekial bread, tortillas, etc. (sprouted grain)

~C.

Hi Cynthia!

They're all unfavorable carbs and should be used with much modertation. Try to keep unfavorable carbs to not more than 25% of all the carb in your meal.

Hello!
Sprouted grain products claim to have a lower glycemic load. I would imagine that they are better in the Zone than traditional wheat flour products.

I have never seen Ezekiel bread or other sprouted grain products listed as either favorable or unfavorable, but the Food Guide is a "general" list of more popular foods, and is certainly not a complete list of foods.

Ezekiel bread IS still a wheat product, and Dr. Sears DOES state that wheat breads are "unfavorable". But, when he said that, was he considering bread in general, or did he include Ezekiel bread in this generalized statement?

In any case, my recommendation to you would be to rate it according to how it keeps you in the Zone. If you are able to use sprouted grain products and stay in the Zone with them, then you have your answer.

As I recall Dr Sears replied to a question about this in the Ask Dr Sears feature on DrSears.com, saying that these products are unfavorable carb. Unfortunately the older Q&A's at DrSears.com are no longer availabel online.

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Sue on 11/17/2008 3:52 PM

As I recall Dr Sears replied to a question about this in the Ask Dr Sears feature on DrSears.com, saying that these products are unfavorable carb. Unfortunately the older Q&A's at DrSears.com are no longer availabel online.</div>

Sue,

The point that should be made is that it is not quite as important regarding how to classify this food, as it is to judge how it works for the individual.

There are a number of foods that don't work as well for me, even though they may be favorable. Just because the food is labeled "favorable" or "unfavorable" doesn't make it so for the individual. It is a good BASE to start with, but then each person should make adjustments based on how the food makes them feel.

Hi Everyone,


<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Cranberrycat on 11/17/2008 9:13 PM

Just because the food is labeled "favorable" or "unfavorable" doesn't make it so for the individual.

</div>

Regarding this quoted info, for some additional clarification on this subject, maybe not every single individual on the planet will feel the symptoms of their body's response to higher glycemic foods, but according to Barry Sears, 75 % of the population will experience elevated insulin levels as a direct result of eating these foods. In his latest book, "Toxic Fat", he demonstrates how to wean off these foods during the first weeks of the Zone diet. Barry still advises that those people who choose to eat these foods at all should eat them infrequently and in small amounts in order maintain insulin control and low levels of silent inflammation.

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Sue on 11/18/2008 7:17 AM

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Cranberrycat on 11/17/2008 9:13 PM

Just because the food is labeled "favorable" or "unfavorable" doesn't make it so for the individual.

</div>

Maybe not necessarily so for every single individual on the planet, but according to Barry, it is so for 75 % of the population. In his latest book "Toxic Fat" he demonstrates in how to wean off these foods during the first weeks of the Zone diet.

</div>

Sue, I am not sure if this response was directed at me or not, but I personally have no concerns regarding how to wean off these foods.

Foods are either classified as "favorable" or "unfavorable" in the world of the Zone. But, each carb will have its own unique way of how it interacts in each individual's body. This reaction is based on the glycemic load of the chosen carb food. In GENERAL, the favorable/unfavorable categories will work out that way. BUT, it is very important for zoners to realize that each one will respond differently to various carbs. I, for example, tolerate favorable fruits not as well as favorable vegetables. But, fruits ARE still considered favorable.

BTW, zone pasta is actually considered an unfavorable carb, so I just wanted to let you know that when you eat it, make sure you limit it to no more than 25% of the total carb on your plate (that is, if you wish to follow Barry's advice in his book).

I realize this is a very old post but I have to put my two cents in here.

"Ezekiel" brand "bread" contains ABSOLUTELY no flours of any kind. It is made strictly from sprouted whole grains. I have eaten it with no issues whatsoever and, ASMOF, actually have checked my blood sugar after eating eggs and Ezekiel toast for breakfast. NO INSULIN spike at all. but that's JUST ME. as always, YMMMV

Darleen, thanks for your input!

I had to read through the thread to refresh my memory, and I have posted comments on this in other threads, as well. I think that if you (and others) can eat sprouted grain products without issues, then it should be fine for you. The proof is in the test that you did. If your blood sugar reacts to eggs and regular toast, but not to eggs and Ezekiel toast, then I think that it works adequately for you.

Not everyone will be able to do this test, but I recall when I had gestational diabetes, that I could tell the difference between a good meal and a bad meal by testing my glucose after eating, to see what affect the meal had on my blood sugar. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to test Ezekiel bread, but I did test out with another brand of bread that I was eating at the time, a natural grainy bread (texture is similar to Ezekiel bread, but this was not a sprouted wheat bread). I had similar results as you.