My husband and I are just beginning the Zone diet and are overwhelmed by the amount of salad required. I made the Zone Herb Dressing today and it did not go over very well. If I were to use a "bottled" Kraft Light Vinaigrette what would be the end result. This has 4 grams of fat (would replace 4.5 gm. in a 3 block meal) ?? It also has 5 gm of carb . Appreciate any advice or recommendations.

Hi Mary Ann!

Good news! Salads aren't required in the Zone. You can successfully eat in the Zone and never eat a salad. The meals you see listed in the planners are simply suggestions. You can design your own meals (refer to the Zone Food Blocks tab in Quick Start Guide, link at right).

Bottled dressings are fine, as long as the fat in it is monounsaturated fat (those oils listed on the best fats list in the Zone Food Blocks tab). Yes, the fat in salad dressing counts toward your fat blocks. I would not recommend using a salad dressing that contains 5 grams of carb though. It's better to get your carb from fruit and veggies. You can find them with less carb, like a gram or two per 2 tablespoons of dressing. You can also mix a teaspoon of olive oil together with a teaspoon of vinergar for a quick and easy dressing that's excellent for the Zone.

Thanks Sue. I dressing I am looking at states 4 g of Total Fat, the Sat Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g. I understand other carbs should be used rather than the 5g in this dressing - still can add a salad greens etc.and a fruit unless I am not reading correctly. Really appreciate your input and your postings are so very positive.

You're welcome! And, thank you! :-)

Read the ingredients on the label to make sure that the oil in the dressing is on the Zone's Best Fat list. Yes, you can add more carb to the meal, but you're getting half a carb block in the dressing alone, and that's not favorable carb for the Zone.