Hi all,

I have some Zone 1-2-3 multigrain rolls, bread and pizza dough in my freezer, and now that I'm back in the Zone I'd like to try them out. I know there have been a lot of diverse experiences among the posters here on the boards. But in order to prepare myself for what to expect -- what were your experiences when you first added the 1-2-3 foods in to your diet? This way, I'll know if I need to be patient as my body adjusts to the foods, or whether I just don't respond well to them.

Also, at the time, were you having 1-2-3 foods for all your meals and snacks, or just small portions added to traditional Zone meals/snacks?

Thanks !

Laurie

That’s an easy question for me to answer Laurie. I went directly from 15 years of strictly following the Zone diet to doing the Zone food 1-2-3 plan for all my meals and snacks. The first week of Nov 2009 I jumped in with both feet at 3PM on the Saturday afternoon that my first order arrived. It was literally delivered as we were leaving to go somewhere, so I grabbed a package of chocolate chip cookies out of the box as we left. Since then I've been eating the Zone 1-2-3 plan for all my meals and snacks, except for meals eaten out, and many times I'll supplement those with Zone 1-2-3 foods, such as having a 1-2-3 snack shortly before leaving for a restaurant and then ordering a meal consisting of a dinner salad or a meat and veggie entree. I was a little scared to try that first snack because of my high level of carbohydrate sensitivity and also because we were on our way for several hours, to an event that didn't include food. But Barry Sears has never steered me wrong yet, so I was willing to give it a try. My fears disappeared when several hours passed and I still felt great, even though it was dinner time and I hadn't eaten yet. I had no hunger and no feelings like I had better eat soon or I'd be sorry. I just felt great, and I could hardly believe it! I felt better then I usually do when dinner time rolls around. I still have to remind myself to eat; me the person who 15 years ago thought nothing of eating a bag of chips dipped in a container of sour cream and then having a dish of ice cream (all in the same evening after I’d eaten dinner)! And the good part didn't stop there. Over the next several months I became leaner than I'd ever been, literally without giving it a thought other than to follow the 1-2-3 plan. I highly recommend Zone foods. My mom who's 80th birthday is in one week has also successfully used the Zone 1-2-3 plan, eating Zone foods for all her meals and snacks. Have fun with them!

Thanks Sue! Glad to hear that you didn't have to wait through a transition phase as your body adjusted to the new foods.

Although I plan to only supplement my traditional Zone meals with 1-2-3 foods, I did jump in with a Zone 1-2-3 breakfast. Two slices of multigrain toast, lightly topped fat free cream cheese and a sliced strawberry on each. Although it was probably not necessary, I balanced the bit of additional C in the cream cheese and fruit with 1 T of dry edamame (.5 P), bringing the meal to 3P/3C/3F.

At first, it didn't look like enough food to satisfy me. But I cut each slice of toast in half, so had 4 good-sized slices to eat. I was surprised how satisfied I was. It's going on 3 hours since then, and I'm not hungry yet. I usually only go 2-3 hours before I start thinking about food again, so this seems to be working pretty well so far .

Laurie

Thanks, Sue -- good idea, since I usually have to then add a few almonds to bring the fat into balance anyway.

While you were posting, I was adding another sentence to my previous reply.  Don't overthink the balance.  You'll only drive yourself crazy adding it all up, and it's not going to make any difference to your body.  The Zone foods simplify things.

I love a few dabs of tart Greek yogurt on my bagels with a side of sugar snap peas and a cheese string for lunch with 6 almonds . I find that the near vegan eating has really helped me but I do use things like bacon bits for spice, like spirulli with 1 tbsp bacon bits real, 1/3 cup light alfredo & 1/4c of 2% Mexican cheese. It's got the taste of a real texas baked potato! Get creative and learn to eyeball you favorite additions and you'll enjoy the simplicity.