I just read a little about the new Superzone foods, and while in theory it sounds great, I'm now totally confused about how it works within the original Zone eating philosophy. I've been on the Zone for about 6months and have had success, but I rarely eat bread or pasta, etc. With Superzone foods, it seems as tho it's now OK, as long as it's the fortified foods that Dr. Sears promotes. But how does eating them fit into the overall Zone eating plan? As someone who LOVES breads, pasta, pizza, etc., this is important to me and I'd love to be able to occasionally have them. But I also don't want to negatively affect the success I've already had. Can you clarify?

I am a little confused also...Now it's ok to eat the "bad" carbs? I did read the nutritional info and it's all zoned out, but with flour and oats and protein powder...From what I saw, the bagles, cookies, and breads all had 14g P, 21(ish)g C, and 7(ish)g F. I would also like to know about how often we can eat these foods...I don't want to gain weight and bloat up from all the flour etc.

I was wondering when he was going to start pushing this stuff. I hate to say it but it just blows my mind. It almost seems like he's selling out, just to make a buck or two. I won't be eating any of it. It's the same concept as his MedWell 123, or MedZone 123, or whatever its called. You can access that website from the Facebook zone. If I'm going to lose weight on the Zone, I want to do the real way, eating real food, not processed stuff. Even though it might be Zone-balanced, its still processed. I just can't wrap my head around it. For years and years, Dr. Sears talked about how 10,000 years ago, man didn't eat bread and twinkies and stuff, but now he's selling his own line of bread and bread like things, bagels, cookies, etc. I don't even want to think about it. I almost feel hurt, or insulted. I know he's doing for the people who have a hard time dropping those usually unfavorable things, by magically making them favorable, but it just seems wrong. And I can totally understand how it could be very confusing to a newbie.

Becky, I am just flummoxed by this as well! For the same reasons as you have stated! Sure its good marketing! I kinda see it as a sell-out too. Oh well, we can just continue the old zone way, eating naked, primal, paleo, or the original zone! I for one, cannot be healthy on wheat of any kind.

I have to comment on this again. The more I think about it, the more it upsets me. For YEARS these were the foods we were not supposed to eat, and now that he's made them all "zone" friendly they're ok? The MAJORITY of the diet would be flour! I thought your carbs per meal should have NO MORE than 25% unfavorable carbs! I feel like he's trying to fit in with all the other fad diets. And after reading how this 1-2-3 SuperZone diet works I am left feeling uncomfortable. So now you can eat all the veggies listed during your meal at any quantity? Carrots? Really? And only 1 serving of fruit/day? Huh? How are we proportioning this now? What ever happened to the good 'ol eating whole foods? And has anyone read the actual ingredients? There is HYDROGENATED OIL in the cookies! And artificial flavors and sucralose and sugar and butter! Yes, all the "numbers" add up to be "zoned", but what about our health? Has that just gone out the window? I just don't get it, and yes, I also feel insulted and hurt. I'm sure he's trying to reach a certain group of people who would otherwise not "zone", but it's not for me! Why couldn't he have used organic natural ingredients in these products? I am a much healthier person without these foods. I will keep on zoning the way I have.

i think you guys are over reacting a little bit. dr sears is dealing with the reality of the situation. americans are not going to eat lean protein + lots of vegetables + some fruit + some good fats unless it is affordable and ultra convenient.

i have a high degree of confidence that dr sears will no doubt coninue to push people towards that ideal. for those interested in maximizing the benefits of the zone, that will continue to be the preferred dietary recommendations.

however, these foods make many of the benefits of the zone far more accessible though the price is still quite high. i have ordered a rather large sample of the new products and will reserve any judgement until i have actually tried them out.

I applaud you all who feel that this is more about marketing.

If I can't prepare it in my kitchen, then it isn't going in my mouth.

I won't criticize those who choose to eat this stuff for convenience, or those who will otherwise NOT do the Zone because of the lack of bread or pasta. But, it just isn't the way that I read about how to enter the Zone. Besides, I just don't feel that all of this overly processed food is actually healthy. The more that food is altered, the more unhealthy it becomes.

Thank goodness everyone is feeling the same way I am about this... We might not all be research Drs but I'm pretty sure we all have a brain, how did Dr. Sears think that we would not read the labels on his new cookies and bread? I just started my 4th week on the zone and I think I get the hang of it and then he throws this out at us... Honestly, I could prob. make cookies balanced in my own kitchen if I really wanted to eat them by throwing some protien powder into the batter, and they would cost a lot less than $20 I'll tell ya that. Whatever, I'm just going to keep on doing what I have been b/c I have now lost over 10 lbs, and I feel much better. However now when I slip up and eat a bit of "unfav" carbs at a meal (ate a english muffin this weekend and literally freaked out and felt guilty the next day) I'm not gonna stress out about it b/c obv. it isn't that big of a deal... Thanks but no thanks Dr. Sears!

I'm really confused as well, but i agree with Chris. I think Dr. Sears is trying to appeal to the vast majority of people who don't want to give up breads.etc. I tried it once though, mixing bread with sardines, as an example, in Zone proportions. It doesn't work as well though. I gained a little fat despite following the Zone blocks, so i suggest sticking to the old stuff

We are all entitled to our opinions. I know what Dr. Sears is trying to do, but I don't have to agree with it. He used to be all about educating people about not eating processed foods and breads, etc, and now with this "new SuperZone food menu" he's telling you to eat them breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. It just doesn't all add up to me. It wasn't ok before when we were incorporating breads into our diet, but now that it has his name on them, it's ok.
Go ahead and eat away if this is what you need, but as for me, I will pass. Not to mention the crazy prices.
And yes, I also gain weight when eating that much flour, etc.

To me, the whole point of "The Zone" was to radically change the way you "think" about food. Food is medicine. What you eat is your "dose" for the next 4-6 hours. Metabolically altering the content of food is how we got hydrogenated oils to begin with. Its a drop dead horrible idea, in my opinion. Science has proven over and over that you can take cardboard and styrofoam and make them taste like pizza and ice cream, but there is NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE in those altered "foods". The ONLY healthy way to eat is to choose lean meats, vegetables and fruits, and healthy nuts/seeds in proportions that balance protein, carbs, and fat. Moderation and balance, NOT molecular alteration, is the key to health. I'm shocked and disappointed at what Dr. Sears is promoting here, regardless of his reasoning.

A year or so ago, when the pasta came out, I strongly posted my disappointment (re: Sears and Zone Labs) in that product, as well. Wow! Many forum members were upset with me about that, and I felt as if I were posting to a brick wall. But, these statements about the Superzone products are almost exactly what I was staying about the pasta back then. I am glad that we have some zoners here who are serious about making a healthy change in their lifestyle.

I also do not believe that these products can be healthy. The more we alter our food, the more trouble we end up getting ourselves in. Lets get back to the basics of eating in the Zone (and maybe we can help line the pockets of the farmers who are doing their best to bring us some good wholesome food, rather than paying large corporations to alter our food so that we can still have our cake and eat it too).

I apologize to anyone who feels that we are critical of their choice to eat this way. I hope that the information presented here will help you to make an informed decision on whether or not to consider them.

Hmmm... Well I guess it was good that I had the curiosity to pass by this website from being a Medwell user to see how things are going... Let me put in my little piece of information.
The MAIN reason why the "Super-Foods" where created not because of a marketing plot, its because NOT EVERYBODY is Elite Zoners like most of you are, many people have problems trying to come up with a zone meal, never less 3 meals and 2 snacks per day! Many people find it complicated to sit there with a little notebook or wordpad or excel sheets on a computer trying to come up with recipes, etc. These breads, bagels, pastas where created for THOSE people.
Of course none of you would know this since none of you have actually given the foods the opportunity to try them, but when you order the Super-Foods you receive a sample recipe planner that tells you HOW you can incorporate these foods into your daily diet. Of course eventually if ALL you eat are Super-Foods you might land some problem down the road but this is how it goes, the breads are for SANDWITCHES, the Rolls are for BURGERS, The Crutons are for SALADS and so on. So you're still getting the fresh greens and lean proteins as well as monosaturated fats along with the CONVENIENT Super-Foods. Also not everybody wants to sit there and eat a bucket full of greens and meat... I myself rather have a sandwich or a SMALLEr salad with a Flatbread.
So you tell me...
-Would you rather eat a sandwich with two slices of regular bread that will have you hungry 2 hours later?
-Would you rather have a nice Super-Zone sandwich that will carry you 4-5 hours out till your next meal?
OR
-Would you rather sit here and "Hate" on people who can now actually have breads and pasta and bagels and pretzels without getting that insulin rush and GIVE it an opportunity?

Enough said. :-)

Oh and PS: I've been doing the Super-Zone diet for about 2 weeks now (Started through Medwell) and I have already dropped 9 pounds! Fabulous Darling! ;-D

<div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Cranberrycat on 10/21/2009 1:05 PM


I apologize to anyone who feels that we are critical of their choice to eat this way. I hope that the information presented here will help you to make an informed decision on whether or not to consider them. </div>


I am glad you pointed this out Cranberrycat...It also is not my intention to criticize or judge anyone who decides to endulge in these products. I am just expressing my disappointment in the products themselves. But make educated decisions as to what you put in your body, thats all.

I agree, I am also disappointed. I feel cheated....

What brought me into the zone was the feeling of genuinly trying to find our own "roots" if you know what I mean. I still believe that eating less processed food is much better for you than te processed food - and it is more natural, more normal. That's why I do not eat any Zone bars etc - I don't understand the need for it. I'd cook something instead. I struggle with time to cut all the veggies etc but in the end of a day, this is natural way of dealing with food if you want to eat the natural way. Our grandmothers spend all day in the kitchen! We do not have to, but should spend some time to come up with a healthy cooked food.

Let's not pretend we "can have cookie and eat it"! Zone is about the lifestyle really, awareness of what goes into your mouth affects you in some way.

I admit I'll have a chocolate truffle from time to time just to indulge myself but I do not pretend I think it is right for me!

Agreed as Dr. Mercola, Andrew Weil and others advocate - as close to raw, whole food as possible. One exception to this for myself is the Dreamfields pasta - yes it is processed more than other processed foods, and it is unfavorable Carb. But, once per week and only 1 block for a huge serving is my little indulgence.

Hi,

My name is Koby, and I am a zoner from Israel.

I want to share my thoughts on "SuperZone" with you.

In the past years, whenever I read anything written by Dr. Sears, I was always overwhelmed from his sheer ingenious, revolutionary ideas. Think about how applying Dr. Sears's ideas in your lifestyle changed your life all the way around. Dr Sears was always 20 steps ahead of current thinking about nutrition and medicine.

So, all I'm saying, is give the guy some credit. If someone told you about the Zone diet 15 years ago, you might have thought he was talking nonsense.

Let's wait for a month or two, try this products out, and then give our opinion.

I didn't understand from Dr. Sears new videos on SuperZone that he does not endorse eating in the "old" zone fashion anymore, so you can keep the "original" zone way if you would like. SuperZone might work better for people who are always on the run (like me), and maybe even for you (or not). Just give this guy a chance that he might have found something astonishing.

Also, I don't think there isn't anything bad in Dr Sears and zonediet.com wanting to make money. On the opposite, the more money they make, the Zone diet will have more power, and we will keep getting the wonderful products they have now, like Omega Rx and the Zone bars and also get new products.

Have a nice day everybody.

Koby.

Oh, so much to say here...

Going back to Helen's post, I hope she read what I said about this not being a criticism to those who choose to consume these products. Helen, you indicated that you felt we were creating judgement without actually trying the products. Well, truth be told, I tried a "medwell" cinnamon roll about a month ago as a free sample. Not bad for hunger control, I will admit. For those who are not willing to DO the Zone in the way in which it was intended, perhaps it is a good solution for you. I just think that this entire venture should be kept under the umbrella of "Medwell" and not under the association of the "Zone". BTW, it sure would be much more convenient to have a sandwich than to try to think of coming up with a balanced veggie/fruit/protein/fat meal. But, in my mind, I think it is worth the sacrifice to eat the foods that I was meant to eat and digest, rather than something that was manufactured into a substitution.

Bozena, I totally agree with you on that.

John, always nice to have your input, and I think that a point could be made where one could consider these products as an occasional indulgence rather than as an every-day occurance.

Koby, nice to meet you. I did listen to Dr. Sears years ago when he was talking about eating lots of veggies and fruit, lean meat, and a dash of good fat. I thought it was a very smart idea. I will agree that perhaps the Superzone is a way to bring in more money, but it really isn't teaching people how to eat healthy. It is really only assuring that people can ONLY buy Zone products in order to achieve hormonal balance. I disagree with that.

I agree, I wait for bars, like the Apple Cinamon to be on sale, and buy a few to keep as reserve fo those times when I know I'll be out and not have access to good food within 4 hours. Fortunately, I don't go on business trips much, anymore. But in Feb, with a week in Las Vegas for a tech Conference, I find myself walking to a drug store, and picking up a few things - not much to choose from, and asking for a refrigerator in my room. So, a few bars along, helps, though not ideal.

Last year, I lost 30 pounds on the Zone; then gained it back because I hate meat, AND soy, and I hate to cook. Twice I have tried to get back on the Zone and just can't. The Superzone foods look wonderful to me, and I am hopeful that I can get into the Zone and stay there with bread availabe now. However, I am confused about how to work these foods into the Zone diet. Can I just have two meals of Superzone food and one of the original Zone method, or is it an either/or kind of thing???? Hope someone can clarify this for me.

Thanks

I think you can use the SuperZone food to supplement within your regular Zone diet. I'm excited about these products, as my wife and kids, just have so much trouble eating in the Zone. So, if my wife will eat a bagel in the morning with some lowfate cream cheese, so be it! These foods will allow my family to staying within the Zone without having to 'think' about it.

I don't think it would make a difference. You can eat a variety of foods. You don't have to eat these products exclusively.

I don’t think I mind the product idea so much as the ingredients in some of the items. For example the cookies contain both Corn Syrup & Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernal Oil. Just surprised, would have thought Dr. Sears would have chosen some better option.

Yeah, I think this would be a totally different discussion if the ingredients were better! Like, for instance, the Cedarlane Zone meals are probably not quite as huge of an issue, because at least there is some kind of an attempt to use better ingredients.

Are those still being made? I've as of yet to see them (CedarLane); and I live in New Englland. I guess proximity to Sears HQ is not a factor.