Okay, I've been zoning for a year now and never realized this until recently. Everyone says 3 almonds, 1/3 tsp olive oil, etc is one fat block.. Now, does this mean each equals 3 grams of fat or 1.5 grams?? Whether I use a 100% nonfat protein source or just a lowfat one I am still using these amounts. For example, my snack will be 1 oz nonfat cheese (zero carb too), 1/2 apple, and 3 almonds. Is this right? If it's a lowfat source do I eat 1 almond? Help!

[quote:2aaa625391="mayalou"]Okay, I've been zoning for a year now and never realized this until recently. Everyone says 3 almonds, 1/3 tsp olive oil, etc is one fat block.. Now, does this mean each equals 3 grams of fat or 1.5 grams?? Whether I use a 100% nonfat protein source or just a lowfat one I am still using these amounts. For example, my snack will be 1 oz nonfat cheese (zero carb too), 1/2 apple, and 3 almonds. Is this right? If it's a lowfat source do I eat 1 almond? Help![/quote:2aaa625391] 3 almonds = 1.5 g fat for use with protein (preferably low sat fat). 6 almonds = 3 g Fat for use with no or very low-fat protein. 1 Block = 3 g fat Total, not more than 30% calories from fat AND FAT not more than 50% of fat (15% calories) from other than mono- (Almonds, Olive Oil, etc.).

Hey thanks for the quick reply! Does the same go for every other listing of one fat block? Like is 1/3 tsp oil 1.5 grams or 3 grams? Thanks again!

[quote:f5b4581d9e="mayalou"]Hey thanks for the quick reply! Does the same go for every other listing of one fat block? Like is 1/3 tsp oil 1.5 grams or 3 grams? Thanks again![/quote:f5b4581d9e] Yes. In all of Sears recipes, he assumes some residual fat in low fat protein choices. So, even though 1 F is 3 g, this other fat is accounted for, so that recipes use 1-1/2 g F per B in recipes. He does say to double if Protein (like when using protein powder or no-fat milk) has no fat at all. However, some recipes, those which use no-fat ingredients do account for this and so they may already have doubled the fat to get one full block.

Some fish (Protein) is very low in fat and one must add some additional fat - besides the 1.5 g per fat block - in order to get the full 3 g per fat block. What about shell fish, like shrimp? I always thought that shell fish were higher in fat. How much fat is in one block (1.5 oz) of shell fish like shrimp?

I think Shrimp is actually fat free. Unless it's scampi, of course. ;)

Do fat blocks have 1.5 or 3 grams? Dr. Sears originally quoted that there are 1.5 grams of fat per block. Why now do we sometimes say 3g per block? There is a very simple explanation. Initially he took into account that for every block of lowfat protein (chicken for example), you are already getting 1.5 grams of fat. Many people starting using fat-free protein sources, so he needed to make it clear that 3g need to be added instead of 1.5g. basically what you really need to know is that for a 4 block meal, there should be a total of 12 grams of fat, and a 3 block meal should consist of 9 grams of fat. Take a look at some of these "Ask Dr. Sears" questions for his explanation. "Fat blocks" Dear Dr. Sears, Talking about unfavorable carbohydrates, if the carbohydrate that I eat contained 1 gr. of fat, how many grams of fat do I have to increase to complete one block? Do I have to count that gram of fat? Thank you, Adriana O. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Adriana: One block of fat is 3 grams. Low-fat protein usually contains one-half block of fat (or about 1.5 grams of fat) for each block of protein. That's why I recommend adding another one-half block for each block of low-fat protein. (The hidden fat is factored into the Zone Food Block Guide.) Carbohydrates, on the other hand, are usually free of fat. Since you would be combining low-fat protein with the carbohydrates, just add a little less fat to your meals. However, don't be obsessive about blocks. Just use your eyes. Divide your plate into three sections. On one section, put some low-fat protein, no larger and no thicker than the palm of your hand, then fill the other two sections with vegetables and fruits. Then see how you feel four hours later. If you are not hungry and have good mental focus, then you ate a Zone meal. Dr. Barry Sears "Adding fat blocks" Dear Dr. Sears, Some of the meat I buy is labeled "fat free." The deli meat I buy is either 99% or 98% fat free. Should I increase or double the fat blocks at these meals, as I would for a "fat free protein source" meal? I have assumed that I would add the normal amount of fat blocks to a meal where the protein is 93% fat free ground beef. At what percentage point should I be adding more than the usual 3 blocks of fat to my meal? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 93-percent beef is usually indicative of a low-fat protein product because 93 percent of the nutrient weight is composed of protein, and other 7 percent are composed of fat. When buying deli meats, when they say 98 percent fat-free, it is based on the total weight of the product, which includes water. So continue to add one-half block of fat (1.5 grams) to deli meat since it already contains one-half a block of fat for each block of protein. Dr. Barry Sears "Calculating a protein block" Dear Dr. Sears, When preparing meals do I need to calculate the protein, carb, fat from each item in the menu. For example, salmon is protein at 1 block per 1.5 ounces. Does the fat content from the salmon go toward the fat block? Same with dairy products and even low carb breads. They all seem to have a little of the other 2 components. Thanks for your help. Bob in NY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Bob: I have taken into consideration the fat content in low-fat protein sources. I estimate there is about 1.5 grams of fat in each block of low-fat protein. This is why you only need to add 1.5 grams of fat for each fat block, instead of 3 grams. Please see FAQ's #14. Dr. Barry Sears