Hi, I new to this forum. I have tried the atkins diet for a few days but felt so shakey and sick on the third day that I decided not to continue (I guess it just wasn't the right choice for me), I also found it to be very strict. Reading through the Zone website and the book "A week in the Zone" I think that I just might be able to do this diet.

I have a few questions regarding reading the labels on food products and the proper way to count carbs.

I decided to take an hour and go through the grocery store to read labels and get an idea of what foods would make good blocks and came across and few items that I wanted to run by someone with more experience with the Zone. I understand that when counting the carbs you are to subtract the dietary fibre, so with that understanding "All bran" cereal would be low enough in carbs (because of the high dietary fibre) that it would be acceptable for breakfast if properly balanced. Am I correct?

Also I cam across quite a bit of multigrain products that were low in carbs, for instance I came across a brand of multigrain bread that only has 19 grams of carns after dietary fibre is subtracted and a brand of multigrain cracker that was quite a bit lower in carbs than other, is this also acceptable?

Please forgive me if these questions seem a bit silly, I really have very little experience with Low carb living.

Thank you

As with anything, there is a learning curve, but with practice it becomes 2nd nature. Don't worry about messing up. The motto is "You're only one meal away from the Zone".

Sounds like a daunting task!

That is correct. No foods are forbidden. And yes the fiber is always subtracted. You may find that cereal or cereal in general doesn't give you enough "volume" ~ then again maybe not. I need to eat "bulkier" foods to stay satisfied longer. Therefore, oatmeal is my "cereal" of choice. Some people feel too full on oatmeal... it's how YOU feel 3-4 hours after consuming a meal. Lack of hunger and mental focus/clarity are barometers.

Those are acceptable, but I think you can find a better bread; or was that for 2 slices?. Is Natural Ovens brand available in your area? (check their website). Many of their breads are 9 carbs per slice(which means you can eat more ) and they're VERY good.

Not at all. Ya gotta ask questions to learn!

You're welcome.

I am a little confused about oatmeal, all of the information I have found says that slow cooked oatmeal is the best, but I have noticed that instant oatmeal seems to have a good portion of carb blocks and only a small amount of protien, do we have to use slow cooked oatmeal?



Sorry, that was 19 grams of carbs (total) and 3.0 grams of dietery fibre for 2 slices. ("presidents choice, too good to be true" multi grain bread)

Thanks for the reply

The reason slow cooked / or steel cut oats are preferred is because they are less processed. Therefore, it takes your body longer to "process" them, thus reducing the sugar spike and keeping you satisfied longer. Steel cut oats also gives you more GLA. If the highly processed, instant oatmeal is working for you, that is fine.

Anytime