ak mak crackers are 100% stone ground crackers. they have the "bran, germ and endosperm...nothing added nothing removed"

http://www.akmakbakeries.com/

supposedly its an ancient recipe, and they do have a pretty high protein count for a cracker...is it a friendly food?

No, not Zone friendly; they would be considered unfavorable carbohydrate, to be eaten with great moderation in the Zone.

ok, thanks.

i did read the post on the ezekiel bread but that didnt have a lot of concrete info...

what am i to make of the high protein ratio? and why is it different than say oatmeal and barley?

You're welcome.

The protein in plant foods is not counted for the Zone, with the exception of soy and gluten "meats", also called seitan (sometimes listed as "vegetarian meat" on the menu in a Chinese restaurant). Dr. Sears explains in his books that some of the protein in plant foods is trapped inside of intricate structures of insoluble fiber. Because insoluble fiber does not break down in the human digestive system, the protein trapped inside it is not available to be absorbed, and is excreted still trapped in the fiber. The percentage of protein available for absorption depends on the specific food.

Dr. Sears explains in his book TOP 100 ZONE FOODS that he chose barley to be favorable, even though it is very dense in carbohydrate content because it is "rich in soluble fiber that helps prevent spikes in your blood sugar levels - which is a major problem with other grains" (page 72) , and steel cut oats, because of their beta glucan(soluble fiber) content. He specifies that steel cut oats "should really be the only kind you choose on the Zone Plan". He goes on to explain how the other types of oats "can cause spikes in your blood sugar and insulin levels comparable to the effects of white flour" (page 98). In this book he groups the most favorable carbohydrates for the Zone into three categories taking into consideration the antioxidants they provide and their ability to keep you blood sugar and insulin levels as stable as possible. He placed places steel cut oats and barley in the middle category.

I count two akmak as one block and have no trouble what so ever.

Five akmak have 20gC, so 4gC each one, two being 8gC, 9gC is a block. I just never have more than 2 akmak crackers (1 block) at a meal so that most of my meal is fresh fruit and/or veggies.

I don't bother with the protein in them. I know that for me, that type of protein doesn't hold me. I only count the dense proteins (meat and cheeses, and an occasional glass of milk)

But the best test is when You personally eat them, how do you feel? Everyone is different.

I did the Radiant Recovery plan (sugar addiction and insulin control) for several months and really found how different grains can affect you. My very best grain, even though it's not the best Zone friendly according to Dr. Sears is whole grain brown rice. It is solid and wonderful for my body and I am sure to pair it up with 2 blocks of the best choice C's. So I have made myself a 1/5c measure cup and when I want a grain, 75% of the time, 1/5c of wg brown rice is what I go for. Akmak is my other true stable grain when that is what I am wanting. (Sometimes I just don't want the volume of three blocks of veggies, it's a lot a food) :-)

Cheers
Cleo