Hi all. I am wondering about the effects of coffee on insulin. I haven't gotten my books yet and perhaps they address coffee but I am curious as to the thoughts about drinking coffee. I mainly drink decaf but I do drink probably too much, esp. when it is cold. I was reading I think on here the effect of sunshine and coffee usage (why Seattle is the coffee capitol) but I can't use that as an excuse. I just like the taste, how it goes down and the way it warms me up as I am a freeze turd. Tea doesn't seem to have the same effect.

I also wonder is the fish oil considered a fat in a meal if taken with a meal? I just took advantage of the special offer to get a month's worth for just the cost of shipping. I have been using other fish oil that is supposedly clean and feel a difference. I am hoping Dr. Sear's makes me feel even better.

Somewhere on this site, I read that the fish oil supplements do not count toward your blocks. I am certain I read that, but I don't remember where. As far as your question about coffee, I hope someone answers it, because I am curious about that, too. Somehow I have a feeling that my beloved caffeine is going to turn out to be not so good for me. Cross our fingers I'm wrong about that.

Hi Christine and Lilly!

Barry Sears recommends to switch to decaf because caffeine consumption can result in elevated insulin levels. Since you're drinkign decaf, Christine, it's fine.

Consider the fish oil supplemental, and don't count it toward you fat blocks. Christine, for the best results, be sure to take the amount that's appropriate for you level of wellness. Here are Dr. Sears' recommendations taken fron his most recent bookTOXIC FAT (grams refer to total amount of EPA and DHA combined):


To maintain wellness, 2.5 g/day (4 caps; 1 teaspoon liquid).
For obesity, type 2 diabetes, or before starting a diet, 5 g/day (8 caps; 2 teaspoons liquid).
For chronic pain, 7.5 g/day (12 caps; 3 teaspoons liquid).
For existing neurological conditions 10 g/day (16 caps; 4 teaspoons liquid).

I guess I should do the obesity one since I am about 100# overweight or according to his thing even more (says at 5'11" I should be 122. When I was 120 many moons ago people asked me if I was anorexic so I don't know how true to form that number is. Anyway, when the oil gets here I'll look into it. I started the "diet" today. I'll have to get that book.

Christine, to find you ideal weight divide your current LBM by 0.78. If your LBM is about 95, then 122 would be an ideal weight for you. Keep tabs on you LBM as you do the Zone. It's best to use LBM from the Zone calculator taken a couple weeks after you begin the Zone diet for your baseline. During the first couple weeks of the diet you will be releasing retained fluid, which can skew the calculator result. Once you have the 2 week baseline LBM, monitor your LBM now and then. It should either stay the same or increase, but not decrease. A decrease in LBM after about the two week mark will mean that you need to increase your protein intake, and balance the additional P, balanced with the appropriate amount of C and F for the Zone.

Yes, if you have none of the other concerns mentioned in the dosing table, only being overweight and beginning a diet, you would take 8 capsules (or 2 teaspoons of the liquid) of Omega Rx or Eico Rx daily.

I highly recommend TOXIC FAT as the first choice of Zone books to read.

Keep in touch!

Coffee... I was drinking about 4 to 6 cups a day. After being on the Zone for about 2 months, I don't drink it any more, don't crave it at all. Still think it tastes good, just don't seem to be interested for about the last 3 to 4 weeks. Mornings, I wake up and seem fine without it. Never thought I would give it up, just happened.

That 's really cool Susan!

122 pounds at 5'11" would look terrible! I am 5' and at 120 pounds I looked way too thin! 125 was much better on this short frame.