New to the zone (starting tomorrow) and have a question about Turkey Bacon. Two slices contain 70 calories, 6 grams F, 1 gram C, and 4 grams P, how do I know how many slices to prepare for a meal?

Well, to convert this into blocks, you would use this:

1 block carb = 9g
1 block protein = 7g
1 block fat = 3g

So, 2 slices is 2F blocks and 2/3P blocks.

The difficulty is that if you use enough bacon for your meal, then you will go way over in fat.

So, I would only prepare 3 slices of bacon, and that will give you 3F blocks and 1P block. You will have to get 2 more blocks of fat free protein somewhere else.

Here is a hint, I don't know what brand you have, but Jennie-O makes turkey bacon that is almost fat free, and it is delicious. Maybe you can find another brand in your area with less fat content?

Ideas for Fat Free Protein Choices? I am allergic to eggs and dairy.

Deli-style turkey. Ground turkey breast. Canned tuna packed in water. Soy based protien powder is another thought. Shrimp. Fat free soy patties is another. There's also soy deli-style "meats" and sausages. Gluten "meat" is another (aka seitan). This is the same thing as the "vegetarian meat" you may have seen on menus in Chinese restautants. These suggestions are all very Zone friendly.

Thanks so much for your help

Sheryl, glad to help! :-)

You're welcome!

A question then....

If I use one slice of turkey bacon (basically the same stats as above) Im looking at 1F and 1P

So a slice of this bacon and a carb block is good for a snack?
Its not a ton of food, but I am asking because carrying around some turkey bacon is so easy for on the go.

THANKS!

A question then....

If I use one slice of turkey bacon (basically the same stats as above) Im looking at 1F and 1P

So a slice of this bacon and a carb block is good for a snack?
Its not a ton of food, but I am asking because carrying around some turkey bacon is so easy for on the go.

THANKS!

Jenn, with the stats above (Two slices contain 70 calories, 6 grams F, 1 gram C, and 4 grams P), you'd use 3 or 4 slices for 1 P block (1 P block contains 7 g protein), but that would give you 9 to 12 blocks of fat. This is too much fat for a 1 block snack. A one block Zone snack should contain 3 g fat. Try to find some turkey bacon that’s lower in fat.

I'm still trying to figure out why Dr. Sears included so much turkey bacon in most of his books, although I love the stuff. Actually, I know it is not exact, but I do buy the low sodium turkey bacon and I have had no ill effects, and the 1st time I followed the original Zone, dropped weight like crazy all the time eating the recommended amount of regular turkey bacon (gasp, a lot of sodium!) Now I know better and yes, regular turkey is much healthier. Delicious sauteed in a touch of olive oil for breakfast. Unless you buy low sodium deli meat, it is is way too much sodium which contributes to heart disease. Our cardiologists squeam at the mention of processed deli meats and sodium will definitely hinder weight loss.

Here's an interesting bit of information about sodium. When insulin levels in the Zone, the mechanism by which sodium contributes to fluid retention is disarmed, and the sodium in your meal or snack becomes simply a condiment again, a way to flavor your food, and not something to be feared (per explanation by Barry Sears). As with everything, you don't want to overdo it. Everything in moderation.

The sodium isn't always the issue, it can also be the nitrites/nitrites in the turkey bacon.

I buy Jennie-o turkey bacon, and there is very little fat in it. Works out really nice for the Zone.

I have also seen the nitrate-free turkey bacon at WF but I don't have a package currently, so no clue on the fat content.

As for deli meats, the nitrate-free meats are becoming easier to find. Used to be that I could not find it at our local store, but now they do carry it. Oscar Mayer Natural...

Also, Sea Salt is much much better than regular ole refined table salt.
We use Himalayan salt.

I like Celtic Sea Salt (their fine ground variety).

I actually find little need to add any salt to my foods (not that it matters). I think that I enjoy my veggies best by experiencing their flavor, rather than covering it up. Sure, some seasoning is nice, don't get me wrong, but I don't really think too much about adding much salt to my foods. And, too much salt really turns me off (just like too much sugar does). Just me...

We use very little, as well. But some times or occasionally or some recipes my call for a little salt. So,I'd rather have a good quality salt on-hand.

The reason we use Celtic Sea Salt it is for it's health promoting trace mineral content and other healthy properties, not to mention that it's delicious, too. It's an excellent seasoning to use in the Zone. Here's where you can read more about its health benefits:

http://www.healthfree.com/celtic_sea_salt.html

And on Himalayan (Crystal) Salt (the next step above Sea Salt):
(Two links: One is Dr. Mercola - with some sales pitch added {take with a grain of salt - he, he}, another is: http://www.himalasalt.com/ - though their product is pricey, I ordered through Amazon I believe.)
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Of Note: "Many people believe sea salt is a healthy alternative to table salt, but this is no longer the case. The oceans are being used as dumping grounds for harmful toxic poisons like mercury, PCBs and dioxin. Reports of oil spills polluting the sea are becoming more frequent. With some 89% of all the sea salt producers now refining their salt, today's sea salt simply isn't as healthy as it used to be."
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(Himalayan (Crystal) Salt) This is by far the purest salt available on earth and is absolutely uncontaminated with any toxins or pollutants.
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This salt from the Himalayas is known as "white gold." Together with pure spring water, Himalayan Crystal Salt offers all the natural elements exactly identical to the elements in your body -- the very same elements originally found existing in the "primal sea."
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Containing all of the 84 elements found in your body, the benefits of natural Himalayan Crystal Salt include:
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1. Regulating the water content throughout your body.
2. Promoting a healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells.
3. Promoting blood sugar health and helping to reduce the signs of aging.
4. Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in your body.
5. Absorption of food particles through your intestinal tract.
6. Supporting respiratory health.
7. Promoting sinus health.
8. Prevention of muscle cramps.
9. Promoting bone strength.
10. Regulating your sleep -- it naturally promotes sleep.
11. Supporting your libido.
12. Promoting vascular health.
13. In conjunction with water it is actually essential for the regulation of your blood pressure.
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What remains after typical salt is "chemically cleaned" is sodium chloride -- an unnatural chemical form of salt that your body recognizes as something completely foreign. This form of salt is in almost every preserved product that you eat. Therefore, when you add more salt to your already salted food, your body receives more salt than it can dispose of.
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Typical table salt crystals are totally isolated from each other. In order for your body to try to metabolize table salt crystals, it must sacrifice tremendous amounts of energy.
Inorganic sodium chloride can keep you from an ideal fluid balance and can overburden your elimination systems.
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Today's table and cooking salt is void of the vital trace minerals that make this Himalayan crystal salt so precious. Crystal salt has spent over 250 million years maturing under extreme tectonic pressure, far away from exposure to impurities. The salt's unique structure also stores vibrational energy. All of the crystal salt's inherent minerals and trace elements are available in colloidal form -- meaning they are so small your cells can readily absorb them.
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Crystal Salt's array of elements forms a compound in which each molecule is inter-connected. The connectedness allows the vibrational component of the 84 trace elements present in the salt to be in harmony with each other and adds to the ability to promote a healthy balance. When it comes to the power of natural salt, nothing compares to Himalayan Crystal Salt. Here's why:
* It is the highest grade of natural salt.
* Under an electron microscope, crystal salt has a perfect crystalline structure.
* It is mined by hand and hand-washed.
* Crystal salt is immune to electromagnetic fields
* Crystal Salt contains no environmental pollutants.
* There is no limited shelf life and no need for silica packets to prevent clumping.
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Many people believe sea salt is a healthy alternative to table salt, but this is no longer the case. The oceans are being used as dumping grounds for harmful toxic poisons like mercury, PCBs and dioxin. Reports of oil spills polluting the sea are becoming more frequent. With some 89% of all the sea salt producers now refining their salt, today's sea salt simply isn't as healthy as it used to be.
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If you were to look into a microscope at sea salt you would see it has irregular and isolated crystalline structures disconnected from the natural elements surrounding them. Thus, however many vital minerals it may contain, they cannot be absorbed by your body unless the body expends tremendous energy to vitalize them. Your body's net gain is small compared to the great loss of energy.
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Because the crystalline structure of crystal salt is balanced, it is not isolated from the 84 inherent mineral elements, but is connected to them in a harmonious state. This means the energy content in the form of minerals can be easily metabolized by your body. When you use this salt it has a vital energetic effect. Your body gets an ample net gain with little energy loss.

So, is it expensive, and where does one purchase it? I have never seen it before.

I actually found it some where, rather inexpensively. And as we go through such small amounts, it lasts a long time. Hold on, let me check the label, that might help ... I've got Mercola's 2.2 pounds, not sure if I ordered it from Mercola's web site, though. I know I shopped around, but I've had it for a few months, and I have only refilled small salt shaker, once.
Here's another source: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWU5...ItemDetail

I know I don't use salt very much at all. I end up using it outside more than I do inside!

I am not sure that it would be worth my while to search for something like that if I don't use it that much. But, may take a look at the link, just curious.

John, we use Himalayan pink salt crystals, too. I get it at Trader Joe's for $1.99 (about 5 oz in a bottle that has a grinder top).

I just saw sea salt on clearance at my local grocery store!! Idon't know where you are from, but have gotten mine at Target, as well as a couple different grocery stores.

Very interesting salt facts that I never would have considered. Looked at my grinder from Trader Joe's and it is sea salt from South Africa. I also love smoked sea salt. Will be looking for some of the other's mentioned. I have cut way back in my salt consumption as far as adding it to soups/stews, but still use as a condiment/topping, especially on grilled veggies and meats.