NUTRITION: question about Zone vs BFL

F

futurefitnessdyanmo

Cathlete
I know several have had success on BFL, so I was checking their website and noticing how expensive the nutrition products were. Isn't the 40/30/30 ratio the same as the Zone diet? I can get Zone bars at Walmart for less than a dollar - is there anything special about BFL or myoplex bars that means I should spend the money?
 
When I do BFL, I stick to 40/30/30 as closely as possible. I know others have done 40/40/20 but I have had luck with 40/30/30. I am not doing much of anything now and really need to get myself back on track.

Yes 40/30/30 is the same as the Zone

Rhonda
 
Check out the label; zone bars are pretty high in sugar. That being said, I do use them for emergencies. I prefer the Detour, U-Turn or One-Way bars myself. I also use the Balance Go Mix often, but again I do think it is a bit high in sugar.

Colleen
 
So BFL and the Zone are the same? Is there a difference and if so what? Is it just a different doctor singing the same song?

I did the Zone last fall and had amazing results. I started following it more loosley around the holidays, then more loosely, then not really. Results of THAT really sucks! I started back on the Zone 40/30/30 yesterday because I know the stricter I am, the better the results!
 
No, technically Zone and BFL are different. Zone is 40% carbs, 30% protein, 30% fat. BFL is 40% protein, 40% carbs, 20% fat. I find I do better on BFL ratios. I also wasn't as strict with myself on the Zone as I am on BFL.

BFL also believes in six small meals and 1 free day a week. It also has an exercise plan to go with it. But the diets are pretty similar. I believe the food choices are pretty similar also.

Colleen
 
How do you figure out the ratios for BFL? I know how to do the math for the zone to get the 40-30-30. How do you get to 40-40-20?

The reason I ask is because this is something I have considered last Christmas but didn't know the math.

Tell me more about this "free day" BFL allows, please.

Also, what is the best BFL books?
 
The free day is where you can eat whatever you want. Pizza, chocolate, ice cream, etc. But then the next day you have to get back on the healthy eating plan. It takes some getting used to.

Actually I have been looking at the zone way of eating myself. My eating is all out of whack now and I need to get it back in control.

Not sure what type of books your looking for? There is the body for life book and eating for life book that has some great recipes in it.

Rhonda
 
Come on people, please! These threads are actually a little funny (no, really). Is The Zone the same as BFL? Yea, I think it is. The Zone, Body for Life, etc… are all based on the same premise. Eat less.

When the goal is to eat less there are only so many ways to mess around with the ratios of carbs, fat and protein to make up the calorie part.

Its all calorie counting no matter how you cut it.
 
I could not disagree with you more. I have no choice but to assume you have little to no information about the concepts of eating 40-30-30 or 40-40-20. There is much more to it than 'calorie in/calories out'. Believe me when I tell you that I am not that stupid and I am not at all looking for a way to consume 3000 calories with out gaining weight. I am very aware that calories in has to be less than calories out but not all calories are created equal! If they were, then I should be able to eat nothing but donuts, candy bars and cookies for 1200 calories a day but if I did, I garantee I would gain weight! Don't believe me? Try it! Eat a ristricted calorie diet of nothing but junk, white stuff, sugar and starch for a month and tell us how much weight you lost!

Let's not forget about the LONG list of other perks that come with Zone or BFL, but I am sure you know all about them already! Otherwise you wouldn't have commented in the first place, right?
 
>Come on people, please! These threads are actually a little
>funny (no, really). Is The Zone the same as BFL? Yea, I think
>it is. The Zone, Body for Life, etc… are all based on the same
>premise. Eat less.
>
>When the goal is to eat less there are only so many ways to
>mess around with the ratios of carbs, fat and protein to make
>up the calorie part.
>
>Its all calorie counting no matter how you cut it.
>

I respectfully disagree. I have followed both plans and also low carbing. I have gotten my best results with the least amount of work following BFL. It's not for everyone. But I can tell you that I do not count calories per se, and I eat whatever I want on my free day. Believe me those calories can go off the charts <G>. BUT this is what works for me as an individual. There are many other great plans out there also. When I did low carb I didn't count calories at all. I was able to eat more calories than on any other diet. With all 3 plans, I've had bodyfat anywhere from 14-18% so they all can work.

The Zone is really based on 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat. 1 block of carbs is 9 grams, 1 block of protein is 7 grams and 1 block of fat is 3 grams.

For BFL, I aim for 20 grams of protein and carbs, but I use the BFL measurements of palm size protein and fist size carbs. Unless it is something like eggs that I can't put up to my palm.

20 grams of protein = 80 cals = 40%
20 grams of carbs = 80 cals = 40%
5 grams of fat = 45 calories 20%

For me, as an individual, what I eat is just as important as how much I eat.

Colleen
 
Colleen, I hear what you are saying but for me, WHAT I eat is so much more important than how much I eat. That is why I love the Zone and think I would also love BFL (thus the reason I request more info from you). Pairing up my carbs, protein and fat in such a fashion has proven to be so benificial, I could give you a list (seriously, I made one a few months ago:p ).
 
Nice to know we can disagree respectfully. Thank you ladies.

Reagardless of what you both think, the same thing is still at the base of these plans. They are both restricted calorie plans. Especially The Zone. I am more than aware foods are not created equal. Protein, fats, carbs, vegetables, etc... i am MORE than aware that eating certain foods makes a difference in how we feel/energy/ body composition, etc... but when people start worrying about all the "details" about well, am i eating 100% perfect according to The Zone (does anyone really believe you can actually enter THE ZONE???).

IMO i think BFL is better. Eat least Bill Phillips walks the walk which is more than can be said for Barry Spears.

No offense was meant in my reply. But eating less is eating less. No matter what combinations of food you eat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top