ZOE NUTRITION NEW THREAD- anyone want to join in?

[LisaLovedUp]

I've started a new thread as my previous one was titled for techie stuff.
If anyone is fairly new to this please join in and we can share!

I am now on Day 4. All tests done and now recording my food each day. It takes me ages as my phone is slow (needs replacing) and some things I eat aren't listed (it relies a lot on packaged foods.)

eg yesterday I made a veggie curry and the only options were branded readymade ones so I just had to pick one I felt was close enough, rather than itemise every veggie in the one I made.

I noticed this as some 'negative' feedback on another platform.

Has everyone/anyone done the advanced health questionnaire? I started it but gave up. I felt it was more for their data gathering (which is fine to an extent) but also very intrusive and I didn't want to give my personal medical history when it may not be 100% safe from hackers.

I'm going to feedback on this to them.

My blood sugar readings so far are in the 4 - 5.4 range mainly although on a couple of mornings it was below 4. The highest was 7.3 after a sweet dessert ( a one-off for me - out with friends) plus ice cream.

Any tips from more experienced users welcome!

I'm a few months in - and it definitely counts plants you've had the previous day. It does have a threshold on quantity of plant though, it counts portions - so the amounts of the plants you've used will only be one portion of plants. The fact that it doesn't log the DIVERSITY of the plants we eat is, I think, a mistake.

My guess is that they thought people might get confused between the different counting criteria - so a pinch of a herb counts for the 30 plant diversity, but it doesn't count towards your daily plant PORTION score.

I think that was a wrong decision, personally, as so many people assume it is counting the 30 - and it would be useful if it did.

I'm seriously considering signing up for this. I'm doing keto at the moment which really helps me lose weight and control my hunger but I'm worried it's not a healthy way of eating long term. So what I thought I'd do is continue with keto until my test kit arrives (by which point I should be at my goal weight) and see what kind of effect it's having, then change my diet in accordance with the zoe recommendations. Does it make sense to do it that way do you think?

My only question really is about the gut microbiome. If mine is poor when I test it (which I suspect it will be due to keto) and then I take steps to improve it, how will I know whether I've actually successfully changed it? Because they only test the microbiome once, right, not before and after?

@HaroldTheStallion yes that's right- just the once at the moment and I know a lot of participants are asking for a retest down the line because that would be really useful. I think it's something that'll come in time for sure

You should give it a go! You may find that keto isn't the best way forward for you

They're keeping me waiting...

Hi @LisaLovedUp

Brilliant thread, thank you.

I was on the wait list for Zoe for over a year, nearly 2 I think, only to be informed at the on-line assessment stage I was disqualified due to being celiac. I’ve emailed Zoe about this and received a one liner stating currently they don’t cater for celiacs.

It’s very frustrating and I’d love to participate. Do any of you have any insight into why celiacs can’t participate? In regards to being celiac as long as I avoid gluten I’m symptom free. No medications necessary. I’d love to know my fat/sugar responses and be informed about my gut biome etc.

I follow Professor Tim Spector on social media, listened to his podcasts etc. it’s all very fascinating stuff.

It's the testing I'm afraid - the muffins used are a particular formulation for testing glucose spikes in blood. They have to keep them rigorously standard because our results are compared with everyone else's to establish norms. They would also need a whole other gluten free manufacturing site to make GF ones and that's probably a scale of operation they are just able to afford.

The Zoe muffins (eaten to ascertain blood glucose and fat response) do not contain gluten, but are not certified gluten-free..

Even a tiny amount of gluten can make some coeliacs dangerously ill. This is possibly why coeliacs are not permitted

I'm guessing Zoe does not want to be associated with a coeliac person having a bad reaction to the muffins due to cross contamination at the factory that makes them.

But I agree with you, it's a real shame they cannot sort this out.

The Zoe team had a lunch recently where they invited members of the unofficial FB group along to give them feedback. They were told there that a retesting was definitely something that was going to come soon.

@DianeBrewster The muffin ingredients are gluten free. Initially I thought it was because they were wheat based. Then I discovered that’s not the case … runs to check again …

I’ve found the ingredients list @DianeBrewster no gluten.

I think you’re right @LulooLemon it will be because they haven't certified them.

I’m in the same position and asked why and had this response:

Unfortunately if you have a gut disease (e.g. Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or coeliac disease) then you are not eligible for the programme.

Some diet changes we recommend, such as increasing fibre and diversifying your plant intake, have been shown to trigger adverse responses in some people with a sensitive gut. Whilst we give advice that is suitable for most people, following our advice could make your condition worse. We are actively researching how we might be able to adjust our advice specifically for people living with gut diseases.

Our muffins do not contain gluten or dairy ingredients but are not certified gluten-free.

I think the middle paragraph is a bit of a cop out for coeliacs. As long as I’m not eating gluten my gut is fine.

I’m exactly the same @HDready In fact I’d go as far to say celiac isn’t a gut issue par se it’s an autoimmune disorder; usually co-exists with other autoimmune disorders such as Thyroid disease which I also have. I’m sure there is a connection to inflammation within the body too and being on point with diet is key to feeling well. I’m surprised Professor Tim Spector isn’t interested in people with autoimmune diseases … bear with me Ill try to explain succinctly… it’s been discovered that our ancestor’s who survived the Black Death have a gene mutation, the same mutation that’s thought to make people less susceptible to covid (the study of which PTS was highly involved in). The downside of having the protective gene is that you’re more susceptible to autoimmune diseases. Since covid started and I’ve remained covid free (as far as I’m aware. I’ve never tested positive but don’t know if I’ve been asymptomatic. Household had it a couple of times and I didn’t catch it) I’ve theorised that my over active immune system has afforded me some protection.

I'd say if youre unable to do Zoe as a coeliac, even just getting a microbiome test is beneficial and will show a number of things. The trouble would be that it would lack the blood monitoring and guidance via the food ratings that zoe does. However it may still prove to be helpful in regards to foods to avoid etc. I just hope zoe is able to be provided to more soon. The amount I am learning from all of you and heard the people who have said it is truly life changing, I cannot wait to get my kit soon. Though I hope it also becomes more accessible also.

A little rant vent... I signed up in December and since have referred friends and some of you etc. I set up the 4 month membership and just contacted them today to see how the referral months pan out. She said that my plan was cancelled in january! With whos say?! She says shes fixing it now but I cannot believe I may not have sent the chat to check! Ive been able to refer my friend even this week. I am panicking cause its a lot of money to just go POOF!!!

That’s a good idea @towardsexperience I was thinking of speaking to my local pharmacy to see if they will sell me a libra blue glucose monitor as sugar spikes are what I’m interested in learning about. I’m too wussy to do the multiple times a day prick and stick tests 🥴

@TheRealHousewife I got a couple of them from my local pharmacy too for future. they were the old number 2's but will still work.

Okay rectified after an hour on chat. She was going to reinstate me for december 2023!! Luckily sorted for my original date in april but god what a mini panic attack. That was not fun!! If anyone wonders, you pay for your months then get your referral free months, but will continue another 4 month membership with £140 charge after that if you dont cancel the membership.

I've just signed up using the referral code that @towardsexperience posted. If anyone would be kind enough to use mine it's joinzoe.mention-me.com/m/ol/ku6lj-e94c13fbdb

I had intended to just read Tim Spector's book and follow the advice without testing. However after my healthy lunch today I went ahead and ate some chocolate cake, and yesterday I had ice cream. My main issue is around willpower and I think this programme will help me by keeping me accountable. I get my kit in June but will be following along on this thread in the meantime.

@HaroldTheStallion thank you kindly! I too find the whole thing holding me better accountable! lol

The other thing you'll find is that you develop healthy and high scoring chocolate cake recipes 😎.

That sounds good in a way, @EmotionalSupportWyrm , although I'm a little concerned about all the planning and preparation this way of eating is going to require. At the moment we are actually hosting a Ukranian family who tend to use the kitchen a lot, plus DH and I eat different things so we're all taking turns in the kitchen and I tend to just make something quick....which is part of the problem. I suppose I'm going to have to stake more of a claim to the kitchen going forward as healthy chocolate cake sounds like a very good idea.

The fact that you and your husband eat different things could actually make it easier - at least you won’t have to worry about serving up something that works for both of you.

This is Zoe's version, very quick and easy :-) www.instagram.com/reel/Cpuwttio0Yq/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=