I'm new to the Zone and have colitis. Postively I've lost 5 pounds in 1 week, I have increased my energy and lessened my cravings. I love the program. Unfortunately following the regular 7 day meal plan it has caused me to flare up. Has anyone created a meal plan so that it is colitis compatible? As I am new I'm still trying to wrap my head around the blocks, etc. so not sure where to start. Thank you Sandi

I don't know what is recommended per your doctor or dietician, but my guess is that you could take both food lists and then see what foods appear on each list. 

It might make things easier to eat your veggies cooked instead of raw.  Often people have the most problems with gas-producing foods, such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, and onions, or foods with hulls, such as seeds, nuts, and corn.   Moderate fat intake (which is a zone recommendation anyway),  decrease caffeine consumption, decrease carbonated drinks.  Also limit dairy if you are sensitive.

You will probably want to start taking fish oil, if you have not started that yet. 

In all, you will benefit from the Zone because it is an "anti-inflammatory" diet. 

You can do the block method, or you can just use the plate method and eyeball everything.  The biggest thing is to choose the most favorable foods, and then work from there. 

Hi I spoke with someone from Zone this morning and he mentioned the food lists as well. I think I have to read more on the website so I can follow the blocks etc. Right now they don't really make any sense to me so that's where I'm confused. Don't want to eat wrong. I started the fish oil a week ago and also digestive enzymes to help. Where on the site is the best place to go? I haven't done any dairy, caffeine for the past week. I was just wondering if someone had actually put together say a 7 day meal plan thats for someone with colitis with low fibre favorable carbohydrates that I could follow until I understand the system. Like the specialist this morning told me for dinner I could in a sense have chicken breast, (2 3/4 cup V8 juice and mixed berries in lieu of 4 c brocolli) That's what I need to figure out. Have you had good success from the Zone? How long have you been on it? Thank you so much for your help. Sandi

I don't know if anyone has ever put together a meal plan specifically for colitis, or other conditions.  You may have to look through the list to find foods that trigger symptoms, as opposed to those that don't. 

Hmmm, I am not sure I would go along with V8 juice as it is unfavorable.  But, probably not the worst choice amongst the unfavorable carbs, either. 

Here is the link to the Zone food guide: http://www.zonediet.com/Tools/Quick...fault.aspx

Look through the information and the other tabs under the quick start guide, and maybe that will help you with the blocks. 

I have had good success with the Zone, my original goal was to lose weight, but I am also in this to prevent me from developing diabetes. 

I will look at the Zone Food Guide. Print everything out. I'll ixnay the V8 then. Tomatoe juice for me is too acidic anyways. I just can't believe that with only a week how its affected my cravings. I'm usually cracking open a back of chips or cheese and crackers while watching TV at night. Nothing for the past week. I have about 50 pounds to loose. Gained the weight while being on prednisone - not a good drug. Gave me lots of get up and go energy but also drove me to eat - always hungry on it. Thank you again for all your help. Its good to know that I can ask questions. Continued success with yourself. Sandi

Hi Sandi,

When I was diagnosed I didn't eat the way my Dr told me to because that food was so lacking nutrients. Colitis is an inflammatory disease and the Zone is anti-inflammaroty. I did change the way I ate though. I decided to follow the zone diet eating all the veggies(lots of salads with all the different greens at different times) and high dose fish oil with antioxidents, (which is all part of the Zone Diet)it wasn't pretty for a while but I feel the nutrients I received from the raw veggies did me more good in the long run. I feel the Zone saved my life.

Just wanted to add to what tech said...

I read a book whose author suffered from ulcerative colitis.  The author said that he nearly died trying to follow a bland low fiber diet, etc.  He was eating just what they told him to, which included lots of starches, high carb, and lots of processed foods.

He states that he saved his life by switching to a diet that was based on the elimination of processed foods, and began eating whole foods, including veggies.  His health dramatically improved. 

You could try grain and legume and dairy free - all are gut irritants , solved my gut issues