straight to the point, I am not finding anything which clarifies whether ALL the F/C/P is counted towards the over-all summary of a meal.
I've read the original book, and when it states such and such is a protein block or source, example being chicken breast, it goes on about adding fat and carbs, but doesn't tell me if the fat content from the chicken should or shouldn't be counting in the overall sum. another example is peas. to use it as one block of carbs (12g), it will also have a 1/2 block of protein (5g). do I add the 5g to my meal summary? nearly all protein sources will have some fat (albeit, bad fat) and possibly a carb or two. the book never addresses this issue if they count towards over-all, so I don't know.

to restate my quest: if one block of something contains other partial blocks do I add them in to overall count? or am I to just be sure to have "at least" 1 good block fat, 2 good blocks carb, 3 good blocks protein, without being anal about every gram I have in each of these blocks that will add to the other blocks. my brain hurts from trying to precisely calculate all of it for each meal. help....:cry::cry:

You count all Carbs minus fiber resulting in NET Carbs.
A full Carb block is 9 grams of Net Carbs.
You count all Fat.
Since most food has some Fat you add a Fat block(1.5 grams) if food source is low fat.
A full amount of Fat per serving (One Protein block) is 3 grams.
Yes count the Fat in food.
Protein is different.
For meats, fish, and dairy count the Protein.
For plants (vegetables, fruits, grains, etc.)
Do not count the Protein, UNLESS the plant source is Soy. (Edamame for example).

Protein is 7 grams per block.

Kelly,

There;s no need to calculate precisely. Consider using Zone-At-a-Glance. There's no counting of blocks or grams involved, it's very easy and it works great. It's the way I lost 100 pounds. You can find it here: http://www.zonediet.com/tools/zone-classic

thank you, john. I realize I got the block / gram count wrong on my post. I was rushing.
so, everything counts, then, except plant protein. does that include beans? beans seem to be a high source of protein.

and last question; would it throw everything off, if extra "good" fat was added, because nearly all in meal planned, is not "good"?

TY sue. I am not in it to lose weight, though. just over-all health benefiting. I definitely will check out zone at glance though.

NO, as you learn to adjust, you might add some extra fat and also eother add or drop a carb block for each meal/snack.
Stick with the initial PCF of 7-3-9 to start.

P.S> BUT, do not worry about some/the extra fat!

Regardless, my point is that it definitely works to keep you in the Zone. :)

Kelly,

The Zone represents a range if low insulin levels in the fasting insulin blood test. 5 is ideal, but up to as high as 10 you'll still be in the Zone. Your body isn't going to know whether you used Zone At-a-Glance, Zone 1-2-3, Zone blocks, Zone points or counting grams to get there. About eating a little extra fat, if you happen to eat a bit more than the minimum needed for Zone balance it's I'm because it will actually help to give you better insulin control( dietary fat eaten together with carbohydrate slows the entry of the carbohydrate into the bloodstream). On the ogre hand, if you're too heavy handed with the extra fat you wil not stay in the Zone. Too many calories will take you out if the Zone,even if they're in perfect Zone balanced proportions.

Sort about the typos! It's my rebellious smartphone's over-zealous self correcting feature. :)

thanx. sue. that was definitely more helpful and informative. I've been wanting to "zone" for about a year now, but the 1/2 hour math drain before each meal kept killing it (plus the "not knowing" question I posted). never thought of checking online for forums. lol.

and since you mentioned it, the fat issue is/was troublesome, because sometimes what I put together would end up with too much possible bad fat and wanted to incorporate good fat, which then totally change the count again. I could of done it anyway, but nice to hear an O.K. from someone (you and john) !

yes, I've been intent on using original formula, but since u brought it up, I'd like to ask another question: How do you know when and what to adjust?

Kelly,

When your protein source already contains all the fat needed for Zone balance (at least 3 g fat for every 7 g protein) there's no need to add more fat. It's best to try to choose the leanest proteins and add monounsaturated fats like olive oil to make up the rest. The Zone is about lowering cellular inflammation. For the best Zone results you'll you want to eat the leanest proteins you can find.

The 4 hour hunger test will show whether you adjust. If you'er not hungry 4 hoursw after a Zoen balanced meal your'e doign great. No need to make any changes. If you have significant hunger 4 hours after a meal, judge whether you hunger is focouse or unfocused. Flcuse3d means you feel hungry, btu are otherwise fine. Unfocused means you lack mental clarity, or you feel one or more of the following types of things: jittery, weak, irritable, faint, shaky, sleepy, etc. For focused hunger add more carbohydrate to every meal (1 more C block). For unfocused hunger subtract 1 C block form each meal.

Kelly, I am Jumping in a bit late to be of any help, as your questions look like they are answered.

I will say that the Zone books don't really go into that much detail regarding the protein/fat issue. I am guessing that it is because a favorable zone meal consists of low-fat protein choices, in which the additional fat isn't really a problem. But, as everyone else suggested, if your total fat is 9 grams or more per meal, then you would not need to add any additional fat to the meal.

And, regarding protein counting, you would not count veggie protein in the beans, because not all of it is available (it is an incomplete protein). I am sure that SOME of it is available, but trying to figure that out would require much more math than is necessary. So, don't sweat the added protein in veggies.