I am new to Crossfit and the Zone Diet. For an active individual of my size - 6 Feet tall 210 lbs and a 38 inch pant size that I should eat 19 blocks a day. I understand the whole 19 19 19 theory and how that should add up in a day. What I dont understand is why some individuals that are near my size or a bit smaller (They dont have as much fat as I do.) eat 3-4 block means while I should be eating 5 or more. Eating 5 blocks is very difficult in a meal. Trying to scarf 5 blocks of good vegetable carbs becomes more of a chore then an enjoyable meal and it is somewhat discouraging.

I have rencently switched to a 4 block meal. Do you think this is wrong? I try to eat 1 block snacks 3 times a day.

I have a Zone book coming in the mail but until then I would like to try to gain some more clarification.

Also....does any have any advice on making beans more palatable. I have no cooking skills and simply cooked the black beans in water. They are not very appetizing but I do not know what I can season them with to stay within the Zone protocol.

NO! You do NOT have to eat 5 block meals! You can divide up your blocks any way that best works for you. A male should eat no more than 5 blocks at any one meal and a female no more than 4 blocks at any one meal. And your late night snack shoiuld be about an hour or so before bedtime, and you should eat within an hour or so of waking up. Other than that it is up to you how you split up your 19 blocks.
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Black beans in a salad (good cold with some good vinegar - you could add some green beans and work towards a bean salad with anything else you desire. .
Black beans With a little salsa.
Black beans with 1/2 cup of tomato sauce, which is also an additional 1 block fav carb.

Hi Paul,

I like 1/3C chick peas, 1 sm cuke chopped, red onion minced (to taste), and 3-4 cherry tom quartered w/ low fat fetta(2oz) sprinkled w/ fresh lemon juice, white wine vinegar, cummin, S&P. Made the day before is even better.