Yes Mary, 3 grams of fat are needed for Zone balance. The fat block list shows 1.5 gram blocks because you are getting the rest of the fat (another 1.5 g fat) in the low fat protien block.

Just to make sure I've got this right

Example: For a SNACK I've been having 1 cup of FAT FREE milk (1P/1C combination) and 2 cashews (1 fat = 1.5 gms) BUT...because there is NO fat in the FAT FREE milk....I should eat 4 cashews (3 gms/fat)...right?
Otherwise I stick with the 1.5 gm. Fat Blocks to balance the fat found in the protein (meat, eggs, etc.) I'm eatting.

Per the Jarrow Protein powder...I just bought it and the guy at the healthfood store said the "DO NOT use for weight reduction" is for people who try to go on an ALL protein diet (like cranberry said)and use it in shakes - a liquid protein diet. He confirmed that it's ok to use with the Zone diet and will not lead to weight gain.

Thanks to all of you for your help.

You're welcome. I'm happy to help!

I know that 6 almonds are 3g fat.
I don't know about cashews.
And the resource I use does not give a value for "each".
So if 2 cashews = 1.5, then YES, 4 cashews.

"Example: For a SNACK I've been having 1 cup of FAT FREE milk (1P/1C combination) and 2 cashews (1 fat = 1.5 gms) BUT...because there is NO fat in the FAT FREE milk....I should eat 4 cashews (3 gms/fat)...right?"

Yes, right.


"Otherwise I stick with the 1.5 gm. Fat Blocks to balance the fat found in the protein (meat, eggs, etc.) I'm eatting."

Yes, except egg whites are also fat free and you'd need to add 3 g fat to ever 2 egg whites you eat. Other common fat free proteins are some deli-style meats, fat free dairy, some soy foods, ground turkey breast and most protein powders.

"Example: For a SNACK I've been having 1 cup of FAT FREE milk (1P/1C combination) and 2 cashews (1 fat = 1.5 gms) BUT...because there is NO fat in the FAT FREE milk....I should eat 4 cashews (3 gms/fat)...right?"

Yes, right.


"Otherwise I stick with the 1.5 gm. Fat Blocks to balance the fat found in the protein (meat, eggs, etc.) I'm eatting."

Yes, except egg whites are also fat free and you'd need to add 3 g fat to ever 2 egg whites you eat. Other common fat free proteins are some deli-style meats, fat free dairy, some soy foods, ground turkey breast and most protein powders.

Got it! Thanks...
Can you recommend any of the Zone snacks/bars/breakfast foods that are good?

I have very little time in the morning...so I need to find breakfast foods that fit in the zone...but are easy to make.

It is easy to prepare breakfast using Zone Cereal. You can buy it on this site, or you can also find it in select stores.

Also, zone bagels make a convenient breakfast, you can toast them and then add some peanut butter or some cream cheese.

I personally do not do well with the zone food products, as they do have a glycemic index similar to that of fruit (and I am carb-sensitive). But, this could be an option for you, if you can afford the shipping!

You're welcome Mary! Any of the SuperZone foods make an excellent convenient breakfast. They're all individually packaged in meal size portions. You can even grab one on the run, to take with on your way out in the morning. You can eat them as is or add too them. Some great breakfast would be the cinnamon buns, cinnamon swirl bread or bagels. I love the multi grain bagels, especially when toasted. Dr. Sears Zone bars and shakes make excellent meal replacements. I've always been extremely carb sensitive which makes is important for me practice strict adherence to the Zone diet. The SuperZone foods keep me in the Zone even better than my usual Zone meals. Also, at my house, we really like the 2 new fruit flavored shakes too (the orange and cherry flavors).

Ok, great, NOW I understand!
I'm still kind of disappointed with the information in the book, I felt that buying one of his basic books would be better than getting the info out of the internet.. But anyway, I see there are some great people out here to help me understand this a little bit better
Thanks again John and Sue.

Eva, glad you've got it ! You're welcome! :-)