Hi everyone, I am on my first day, second 3 block meal, it seems like this is a huge amount of food. I just wondered if I'm doing this right. Breakfast was 3/4 lf cottage cheese, 1/2 cup diced peaches, 2 cups strawberries and 9 black olives. Now I am eating lunch which is 2 hb egg whites, mozz 1oz string cheese lf, 1 oz grilled chick breast pieces, 2 tomatos, 1 1/2 cups french style canned green beans, 1/2 cup salsa and 3 tbsp guacamole. I've spent the last week looking at the different blocks and thought I had the concept but now I'm second guessing myself. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Jennifer

Those are balanced 3 block meals. You can make meals a more manageable size by choosing different combinations of carbohydrates, for example 1 1/2 cups of green beans and 1/4 cup garbanzo beans sautéed together, and 1/2 cup blueberries on the side.

Yes, it looks right to me. There are ways that you can work on reducing the size of your meals. Sometimes it seems so overwhelming!
For instance, if you want, you can have a cup of milk with any meal, which is equal to 1 block of carb and 1 block of protein (although some people don't do as well using milk, but it is worth a try). Another option is to add some beans/legumes, so if you replaced one of your lunch veggies with a serving of black beans, the serving size of the beans is only 1/4 cup. Tomato sauce added to a meal also works pretty well (but some precaution regarding the sauce being more of a processed food or liquid, which increases its glycemic load).

Thank you both for the suggestions and all of the other information you have both provided on the forums. I unfortunately have been pretty boring in the veggie selections the last 39 years, strictly your basic carrots, corn, cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes etc.. This is a new venture for me and I hope to introduce new foods to my selections real soon. Do either of you ever incorporate a Balance or Zone Perfect bar into your day? If you do, how does it break down into blocks? the Balance bar has 7g f, 15g p and 21g c. The Zone Perfect has 7g f, 10g p and 22g c. Is it ok to do 1 2 block snack, instead of 2 1 block snacks. Thank you again for the suggestions and information, it is much appreciated. :) Jennifer

The only bars that also provide hormonal control (control the insulin response) are the Dr. Sears Zone bars sold here.
That said, the two brands of bars you mention, I have used from time to time.
They are balanced, but do not provide the insulin controlled response.
They are indeed 2 blocks each and can be used as 2 blocks or split in half for a 1 block serving. .
I would not recommend them as a daily meal replacement, however.
I wouldn't even use Dr. Sears bars as a daily meal replacement, but I use Dr. Sears Zone bars when I travel, kayak, hike, snowshoe, etc.
And use one of those 2 brands, in a pinch.

You're welcome! I woudul only recommend eating the Zone bars sold on this website. They are the ones on the maket today that I know of that will keep a person in the Zone. They are excellent for as snacks and for meal replacements. 1/2 bar is a 1 block snack, 1 bar is a 2 block snack, 1 1/2 bars are a 3 block meal and so on.

I have used both of those bars in the past. NO bar really keeps me in the Zone, so I don't really recommend becoming dependent on any bar. Try to find easy solutions using whole foods.

That being said, if you are in a pinch, a balance bar or a zoneperfect bar is better than binging on something else unzoned. My feeling on it is that these bars are good for emergencies.

Jennifer, I find that if I'm in a hurry and I eat a Dr. Sears bar with about 8 oz. of 1 or 2% milk for breakfast I'm not hungry again for 5 or 6 hours but for some reason they don't work as well for me later in the day. When I've tried the same meal later in the day I still get about 3 or 4 hours of hunger control so I think the're a great fill-in on a very busy day.

Paula

Jennifer

The Zone Perfect Bars are not Zone Balanced. Zone Pefect is not made by or endorsed by Dr Sears.

Here is the link to our Dr Sears bars which are Zone balanced. http://shop.zonediet.com/custom/pro...9d3f594ff& .

Also be sure to check out the Olive Oil we have on that page. We have a limited supply and unclear if we will get more.

Benefits of Zone Olive Oil:
100% Italian from select regions of Umbria and Sicily
Cold-pressed from the finest cultivars
Extra virgin with naturally low acidity
First Pressing & Certified Organic
Contains high levels of polyphenols, squalene, and hydroxytryrosol (a unique phytochemical that inhibits pro-inflammatory hormones).

For use on cooked pasta and vegetables, not recommended for cooking

Hmmm, I think Zone Perfect bars ARE balanced. Whether or not they will keep one in the Zone is another matter!

Paula, I am kind of like you. Sometimes it really depends on the time of day, as far as what meals work and when they work.