I am waiting for my next Zone Foods to arrive, so I decided to make up a little something classic zone-like with things we had in the house this morning for breakfast...But I wasn't sure if I should add more carbs to it because of the fiber in the roll or not?

Here is what I had:

Pepperidge Farm Wheat Deli Flat (1 Fat, 21 Carbs, 5 Fiber, 5 Protein).5F/2 C/.7P
2 Large Egg whites (1 Block P per Zone List) - 1 P
Avocado Slices - 1 F
Lean Canadian Bacon, 2 Slices (1 Fat, and 6 Protein, <1 Carb) - .5 F/ 1 P
Milk 2%, 4oz. - 1 F/.5 P/.6 C
Tomato Slice on the side

Sorry if my block math is slightly wrong, I just did that in my post since I had just counted up the grams of P, F, and C altogether and did not really separate it into the block counts.

Thanks for the input! Trying to make the best of what I have, so even though the roll isn't the best I don't think it's terrible since it's a whole wheat grain kind and only had 3g sugars.

Hi Jennifer,

Your carbohydrate amount is acceptable, but it's the type of carbohydrate you chose that's a problem. The bread you had is much closer to "terrible" than you realize because of its hormonal effect (it'll spike your blood sugar and cause you to produce excess insulin). Pass on conventional bread and stick with Zone baked goods. When you run out, follow the easy procedure for dining out in the 1-2-3 plan. Here's the info from the pamphlet. "Divide your plate into 3 equal parts. On one-third of your plate, put some low fat protein that is no bigger than the palm of your hand. That's about 4 ounces of low fat protein for women and 4 ounces of low fat protein for men. (6 egg whites for your breakfast, Jennifer.)

Fill the remaining two-thirds of the plate with colorful non-starchy vegetables, especially those for the Mediterranean region (e.g. tomato, eggplant, artichokes)."

Hi Jennifer

I believe you may be overcounting your food.

The wheat flat is your carb source, so unless it's high in P or F, only count it's C. Not all of the P is absorbable for you.

Two Egg whites at 1P is right. So are your avocado slices, though be sure to monitor how many you use.

Your Lean CB should be only counted on the protein. The Zone Blocking presupposes that your protein sources will have some low fat in them, and Lean means it's acceptable, though Pork really should be avoided if at all possible.

Your milk doesn't equal 1F block. That's 1/2c so it's 0.5F, 0.5P, 0.5C

Here's how I add it up:

Flat Roll: 2C (And I believe because it has Fiber, it may work out for you, in a pinch, but there could be hormonal side effects worth noting for future use.
2 Egg White: 1P
Candian Bacon: 1P
Milk: 0.5 of all
Avocado: 1F (add extra fat to the meal FYI)
Tomato Slice: 0.25C

So all total it's: 2.75C, 2.5P, 1F

You're good on carbs. Try adding 1 more egg white and either olive oil or almonds in addition to the Avocado, or you may choose 2.25F worth of Avecado

And this could all be corrected by someone with more experience, however based on my understanding, i think you're short of Fat & Protein.

I didn't really have the option of eating the Zone 1-2-3 bread, and every now and then I've found that I just want real protein instead of the zone baked goods since I'm not vegetarian.

As some other people have found the 1oz. of lean protein just doesn't really cut it...So I did actually really enjoy my breakfast this morning, and I did really great on it...Lots of energy, and it kept me full for longer than the Zone foods typically do. I think it was fine for a meal that I can have every now and then, obviously I wouldn't eat that everyday.

Nonetheless, thanks for the information...I've been following Dr. Sears and the Zone now for about 13 years, so I have a good idea what are on his lists...But every now and then I get a little perplexed on substitutions from the list like rather than the 1% Fat Milk on his list I used the 2% since he recommends that for some of his other foods.

Definitely a little confusing, but the rest of the foods and the "eyeball method" which usually doesn't work for me I am definitely familiar with.

That's precisely where I hope to go. Using that method, do you find that it enables you to better help to prepare food your family? Do you have kids? If so, do you try to balance their dietary needs too?

Jennifer, I can relate to your experience with the zone 1-2-3 foods; I do better on real food, more satisfying. I don't remember if you were around here earlier in the year, but I tried the Zone 1-2-3 for a month and had disappointing results.

In my opinion, you did well to choose a product that has a good amount of fiber in it, which WILL help you in your zone efforts (and fiber is one ingredient that is missing from zone 1-2-3 foods). You posted that this is not a meal that you would choose to use all the time, realizing that bread is unfavorable.

I don't eat a lot of bread, but when I do, I know what I am looking for. One idea is Ezekiel bread, or sprouted wheat. The claim is that this particular bread has a much lower glycemic load than traditional wheat bread. And, personally, I shop for another brand of bread, one that I have only seen in my geographic area; it is made from multiple grains, and per slice there is 15g carb and 4g fiber = 11g net carb per slice.

Not advocating bread as a good everyday choice, but sometimes it isn't as bad as it seems. I have never heard Dr. Sears' official opinion on Ezekiel bread and the glycemic load, though.

I will occasionally use Ezekiel bread, as well, as the unfav Carb portion, but at net 11g Carb, and a lower Glycemic Load, it is not as bad, and by just eating one slice with a meal, usually breakfast only a couple times a week - it keeps me at the 25% of carbs as unfavorable - in the Zone.

Hi Everhone,

A tip, re bread, sprouted wheat, official opinion, etc. Wellness Support (at Zone Labs) told me years ago that sprouted wheat bread is a poor choice of carbohydrates as are other wheat breads, when it comes to the Zone. If you choose to eat it, do so in moderation and follow the 25% unfavorable carbohydrate limit per meal, as John mentioned.

____________________________________________________


sue

Lost 100 lbs 15 yrs ago, off BP meds, thanks to the Zone diet and Zone fish oil. ZoneFast 1-2-3 is the best!

Consultant of Zone Labs

Certified Zone Affiliate

View my Zone Fast 1-2-3 meal photos here: http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...3%20Meals/

View my classic Zone meal photos here: http://s531.photobucket.com/albums/...4/?start=0

Sue, thanks for the input. No one is suggesting that ANY bread is favorable in the Zone.

But, I would LOVE to see the information re: sprouted grain in print somewhere. The label on the packages states that it has a low glycemic index or load (can't remember which one) and that it is highly recommended for diabetics. Here is a link for those who are interested:
http://www.foodforlife.com/our-prod...c-friendly