Well, my very 1st day with a Superzone bagel and cream cheese went well this past Thursday, but as I mentioned in my previous post, I was running and pre-occupied to the point of not thinking about food much. It did seem to work well.

Now today, I am not so sure what to think. I had to work, so definitely very busy. Breakfast (around 9:00) was a Superzone bagel, with a smear of full fat cream cheese, and 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt, along with a full glass (not cup) of water. Felt very full. By 11:00 was hungry, but had a glass of water, and fought it until noon.

Was busy so I had some broccoli with a low fat cheese sauce, and the cinnamon bun for lunch, along with another very large glass of water. Again, felt very full. Left work at 3:00 hungry, but came home and had coffee to tide me over, no snack since I had lunch at noon. Having an early dinner and I am being truthful about feeling somewhat hypoglycemic which I haven't felt in months since starting the Zone.

I will continue to experiment, but have honestly felt more satisfied with my regular Zone breakfasts and lunches.

Also, yesterday I had the day off and had a Superzone bagel, glass of water and 3 strips turkey bacon. Was very hungry after just a few hours also, and seem to do way better with my usual breakfast of Greek yogurt, turkey bacon, and almond butter. Maybe I need to increase fats?

Well, I can't offer any specific advice on it, but that does not sound encouraging. However, you could try it again with a few modifications.

First, when you got hungry in the morning, it might have been better to have eaten than to have tried to put it off with the water. However, sometimes, we feel hunger when we are really thirsty.

Second, I wonder about the cheese sauce being a factor, but if this is something that you have been eating in the Zone and doing well with, then who knows on that.

Third, when you had the coffee, maybe that didn't help either (caffeine). But, again, if you normally don't have problems with coffee, or if you drink decaf, then who knows.

Since this magical food has been touted by some as something better than real food, I don't have an explanation as to why you are struggling with it, when you weren't before. So, I will leave the true analysis to those who have already eaten the stuff (and I will hopefully have more to report next week when I finally get my shipment).

Mari, here are my thoughts.

Thursday, your first day of trying SuperZone food, you most likely took yourself out of the Zone. If I’m remembering correctly, you’d posted the day went something like this: got up , drank water, didn't eat for a few hours, had a SuperZone food at 9 am , didn't eat again for 7 hours, ate a Super Zone food, and a couple hours later ate a restaurant meal that was a decent Zone meal or close to it. It makes sense that you'd be hungry the next day (yesterday, Friday), regardless of how Zone balanced you ate Friday. This doesn’t describe a typical day in the Zone or a typical day in the SuperZone. It can take a day, or two or 3, of consistently eating Zone balanced meals Or Superzoen balanced meals, following the timing rules to gain good satiety back, especially for a more carb sensitive individual (I think I remember you mentioning you are very sensitive to carbohydrate). Until you’re solidly back in the Zone again, you can expect to feel hunger and hypoglycemic symptoms.

A few things to keep in mind:

1. Feeling full upon finishing a meal doesn’t mean it was a meal that will help you maintain satiety for 4 to 6 hours. (you mentioned feeling full a couple of times)

2. Consistency with balance and timing is necessary for staying in the Zone and maintaining satiety.

3. When you drink regular coffee, or decaffeinated coffee, add an equal amount of water to make up for their diuretic effects (refer to instructions in “Zone Living Easy as 1-2-3”. the pamphlet that accompanied your SuperZone order ).

Re post by Sue:
"When you drink regular coffee, or decaffeinated coffee, add an equal amount of water to make up for their diuretic effects (refer to instructions in “Zone Living Easy as 1-2-3”. the pamphlet that accompanied your SuperZone order )."

Decaf coffee does not have the same "diuretic" effect that regular coffee does. It is the caffeine that causes this effect. And, in addition, it is really not a diuretic effect; rather, it is an irritation of the lining of the bladder wall, caused by the caffeine.

I copied that coffee tip straight out of the Superzone pamphlet.

Thanks for you concern Cranberrycat.

Zoners, I copied that coffee tip verbatum, straight out of the SuperZone pamphlet, so it's probably a good idea to follow the suggestion.

Here are a couple of references:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/h....html?_r=1

The Claim: Caffeine Causes Dehydration
Medical experts have been saying for years that caffeine acts as a potent diuretic. Consume too many caffeinated beverages, and you end up drinking yourself into dehydration.

But research has not confirmed that notion. Most studies have found that in moderate amounts, caffeine has only mild diuretic effects — much like water.

One report, by a scientist at the University of Connecticut who reviewed 10 previous studies, appeared in June 2002 in The International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.

Investigations comparing caffeine with water or placebo seldom found a statistical difference in urine volume, the author wrote. “In the 10 studies reviewed, consumption of a caffeinated beverage resulted in 0 to 84 percent retention of the initial volume ingested, whereas consumption of water resulted in 0 to 81 percent retention.”

Another study, in the same journal in 2005, involved scientists following 59 active adults over 11 days while controlling their caffeine intake. They were given caffeine in capsule form on some days and on other days were given a placebo. Researchers found no significant differences in levels of excreted electrolytes or urine volume.

Other recent studies have found similar results.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Caffeine may not be as powerful a diuretic as it’s often said to be.

------------------------------------

http://advance.uconn.edu/2002/02072...072207.htm

Armstrong's Study Shows Caffeine Does Not Increase Dehydration
By Janice Palmer


Caffeine is not the diuretic demon people are often told to avoid during exercise or while working in extreme environmental conditions.
In fact, caffeine is no more a diuretic than water, according to a research review article by Larry Armstrong, a professor of exercise and environmental physiology at the Neag School of Education.


For decades, health and exercise experts have warned that consuming caffeine and caffeinated beverages can lead to dehydration. But Armstrong, an avid runner and a well respected scientist in the fields of thermo-regulation and human performance, observed evidence to the contrary, so he investigated whether abstaining from caffeinated beverages was scientifically and physiologically justifiable.

"While there have been several studies done that show caffeine is a mild diuretic, there is no evidence that exercise, when combined with the consumption of caffeine or caffeinated beverages, will result in chronic dehydration, and this is contrary to the advice of most exercise physiologists, physicians and dieticians," explains Armstrong, who has been conducting fluid balance research since 1980.

"Therefore, the health and performance of athletes and recreational enthusiasts will not be impaired if they consume caffeine and caffeinated beverages in moderation and eat a well-balanced diet," he says. The National Coffee Association funded his study.

Among his findings:

When caffeine or a caffeinated beverage is consumed, the body retains some of the fluid;


Caffeine consumption causes a mild diuresis very similar to that of water (water, when consumed in large volume, increases urine output);


There is no evidence that consumption of caffeinated beverages causes a fluid-electrolyte imbalance that is detrimental to health or exercise performance;


A person who regularly consumes caffeine has a higher tolerance to the diuretic effect;


The determination of safety or risk of consuming caffeine and caffeinated beverages depends on several factors, including the amount consumed and tolerance to caffeine.
For decades, caffeine has been a favorite stimulant for athletes trying to make weight or enhance muscle definition before competition. Both the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the International Olympic Committee classify caffeine as a banned substance, because of its ergogenic properties. But while there are instances of abnormal and unhealthy diuretic use by athletes, Armstrong reports that "these examples should not be interpreted to mean that the average person who participates in exercise several times a week would be jeopardizing his or her health by consuming one or two caffeinated products each day."

Because the scientific literature analyzed by Armstrong focused on moderate amounts of caffeine (one to four cups of coffee a day), he advises that further research be conducted to determine if chronic, high-dose caffeine consumed over several days results in fluid-electrolyte imbalances.

His findings were published in the June issue of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism and were recently presented at the American College of Sports Medicine conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

When I do my Superzone trial, I am going to do it cleanly, only drinking water or decaf green tea (I do like to have some hot beverages, so this will have to do). I will be following the meal plan to a "T", so that I can give this a chance to either work well or not at all. I am already in the Zone at this time, so the transition should not cause me to have to go through 3-4 days of accommodation.

Hmmm, I may have to order one more product, just to be sure that I have enough. I think I only have enough for 17 meal/snacks.

Cranberrycat, I think that the way you are going to follow Superzone is the best way to do it, since each food is a 2 block meal. That is exactly what I tried to do today at work - I was going to just have the bagel for breakfast, but was hungry, so ended up having my backup of yogurt. Only then did I feel better. But then, bread and water was never a good combo for me. Then at lunch I started with the cinnamon roll, but after a half hour, had the broccoli and cheese which was my backup in case of hunger. Note: for dinner, I did not eat Superzone, was tired of it, and made grillled fajitas with chicken, veggies, and an avocado salad. Felt great after dinner. Unfortunately, did not want Superzone for snack, so had my cheese, almonds, and orange half. I don't think I could do Superzone for every meal, but that is the best way to do try it, I guess. I have gotten away from those types of foods for over a year now, since my previous diet was very low carb, and I simply don't miss them. I will eat them on occasion though, and may even order the pasta just to compare to Dreamfields, and may try the pizza crusts. The cookies are nice for a change of pace, but again, would not want them every day. Now, things like ice cream, or pudding, that would be a nice change of pace. Looking forward to your reviews.

Also, good articles on the caffeine. I drink half decaf, and was weaned off of caffeine totally last year, but slowly eased back into it. I have been reading a lot of mixed reviews, and it does cause me to run to the bathroom a lot in the mornings, but then again, so does straight water.

Sue, thanks for your tips. Yes, I know putting off breakfast is not wise. My usual day is up at 5:00, sometimes 5:30 a.m., and no breakfast until 8:00 or 9:00 depending on my day. Mostly I grab a bite of my pre-made Zoned breakfast that I take to work maybe every 15 minutes or so. I am sure that I am supposed to - in a real world, eat this breakfast all at once, but it simply can't happen in my world, so I have to do the best that I can. On rare occasions, I may be able to eat a breakfast all at once, but not usually. This is the story of my mornings. Food just simply cannot be priority! My 5:00, 5:30 a.m. food of choice is half decaf and half regular until that 8:00 or 9:00 window. After that, my breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack are Zoned for the rest of the day until bedtime. Also, I do get in my RDA of water for the day, which helps me not be hungry, and I do balance out my coffee with water.

Anther option would be to grab a snack or protein shake in the morning before I even leave for work, but have not done so because of the additonal calories. I am sure I am wrong by doing this and need to look at my schedule a little more closely and reroute my diet somewhat and maybe break up my blocks a little more. I will definitely look at this!

On the other hand, I know the difference quite well between being simply hungry and being hypoglycemic because I have had the problem for many years and do manage to keep it under control with the Zone diet.
I also know that the feelings with 2 meals of "bread" carbs even though they were Superzoned, left me with those old familiar feelings of hypoglycemia that I haven't experienced for a long time - and it could very well be something that I did wrong.

I guess it is all a learning experience and I will just have to keep playing with it until I get it right for myself as there are no two people alike, and thanks for everyone's tips and suggestions!

Hey, Mari!

At least you gave it a shot. I don't get the sense that you were struggling before trying superzone products, and I don't think that you did anything that badly to warrant not being in the Zone all day. I have seen others comment about how they feel so great after just one meal, so it makes me think that if these products are so great, that you wouldn't have been so OOZ all day today.

Sorry if I hijacked the thread on the caffeine issue, but I have seen this comment made before and it really drives me crazy that there is such a misconception about caffeine use. And, more evidence is coming out every day about the benefits of coffee. It is almost a health food!

Well, if you don't miss bread, then I think you are just fine following the traditional Zone. : )

You're welcome Mari!

Back in the Zone today. Went back to my regular Zone diet with the exception of one Superzone cookie before lunch, and I have felt great with no hunger issues. I did have my half decaf coffee and lots of water this morning and was able to have a protein shake as soon as I got to work, and the rest of my breakfast not long after that. No hunger pangs or cravings all day. I will probably have the other cookie for my snack tonight. I will continue with the Superzone foods but will do so in moderation. Also, I am going to work on eating my breakfasts much earlier.

My observation...you probably would have gotten back in the Zone today regardless of whether you ate your usual Zoone meals or SuperZone food, simply because it's the third day after you took yourself out by going 7 hours after breakfast without eating, and you have been eating in the Zone since then.

Mari, I am glad that you are feeling better!

I think using the superzone foods as "occasional" foods is probably a good idea.

"My observation...you probably would have gotten back in the Zone today regardless of whether you ate your usual Zoone meals or SuperZone food, simply because it's the third day after you took yourself out by going 7 hours after breakfast without eating, and you have been eating in the Zone since then."

I have had to do this before with my Mom's appointments, usually close to once a month or every 6 weeks, so it is not a new experience for me, and although I go several hours, I have never had any ill effects the next day. Usually go back to work and jump right back on the bandwagon and feel great!

Mari, it's remarkable that you can go through your entire day feeling great on only a 2 block breakfast and no more to eat until late afternoon, but most likely it's not keeping you in the Zone. It would be good to fit in a few snacks during the day when you're skipping lunch.

Mari, I don't find your reaction strange at all. You mentioned early on that you were perhaps pre-occupied on the day that you went long without eating, and didn't notice any unusual hunger. I have had similar experiences in the past where I can go for a very long time without eating because of how busy and pre-occupied I am.

You said you have never had any ill effects or rebound hypoglycemia in the past, from a day like you had the other day. I think this is very telling of the fact that basically all you changed was the food--you changed your usual zone fare to the superzone products, and then you became hypoglycemic.

I was hoping that my shipment would come, but I guess Fedex takes this day as a holiday, too. Hopefully the shipment will come tomorrow, but won't be early enough for me, and I will be spending the entire day away from home. Would have been a perfect day to have trialed the food, would have been really convenient. Oh, well...