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Original poster

Anyone just started the ZOE nutrition testing?

198 replies

SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 05/02/2023 09:39

I’ve started today — and only managed one out of the three breakfast muffins (ate two but one came straight back up!) Anyone else fallen at the first hurdle??

OP posts:
Playfulpups · 23/02/2023 20:09

Can anyone explain for me, if you aren’t currently diabetic or pre diabetic, why would we care what our blood sugar response is?

And also, is anyone doing this purely due to cfs/m.e. Or long covid fatigue/pem?

Playfulpups · 23/02/2023 20:14

Also, has anyone got totally normal blood sugar but an overactive body response to any carbs (slightly swollen eyes, congestion, stiffer joints, physical sluggishness)?

What does that mean and will Zoe pick this up? If it didn’t it would be a giant waste of money for me …

Playfulpups · 23/02/2023 20:15

Sorry, to be clear, not an allergic reaction but one that builds up and takes about 6-8 weeks of very low carb to fade away.

UnaOfStormhold · 23/02/2023 21:26

I think that might be tricky for you @playfulpups because one of the most important parts of the testing involves eating three meals of muffins and then measuring your blood sugar and blood fat responses afterwards. As they're pretty carb heavy you may not want to eat one muffin let alone 7 of them. There's a possibility that the test could be helpful e.g. if the reaction is triggered not by carbs per se but is a reaction to blood sugar spikes following eating carbs, then the test and process could help you find that out and then minimise blood sugar spikes in the future. But I'm not sure if that scenario is plausible and either way finding out could be pretty unpleasant for you.

UnaOfStormhold · 23/02/2023 21:33

Oh and this might be helpful on why blood sugar spikes are a problem: www.glucosegoddess.com/science Her advice has a lot in common with the Zoe recommendations and definitely cheaper to get started.

Playfulpups · 23/02/2023 21:36

Thank you @UnaOfStormhold , my carb response isn’t quick like that, it builds up over weeks. Ideally I should cut it all out but finding that very difficult.

UnaOfStormhold · 23/02/2023 21:48

Hmm, I wonder if it could be related to the blood sugar spikes then - the spikes themselves are transient but they can cause longer lasting effects.

CharlotteOwlFace · 23/02/2023 21:55

It's just two meals of muffins and not 7 muffins

So three for breakfast and then a further two, 4 hours later

7 would be very scary as they're pretty hard to shove down as it is

Playfulpups · 23/02/2023 21:56

When Zoe program talks about inflammation caused by food, what does that mean please?

CharlotteOwlFace · 23/02/2023 22:01

@Playfulpups have a google to see how some foods cause inflammation the body. It's basically just as it reads to be honest

Dietary inflammation causes short term and long term issues in the body. Common sense really - if you eat processed or sugary foods very regularly, the inflammatory effects could be raised blood sugar, diabetes, gut problems etc

There's lots of info out there on the Zoe website

Playfulpups · 25/02/2023 16:48

Well that’s super, I took the plunge and signed up and eagerly awaiting my kit (standard delivery is now June but they accepted interest free instalments which is helpful). Also they have apparently upgraded me to early delivery maybe in March.
Im not sure if I have dietary inflammation but I’ve got long covid and definitely for years before I’ve had aching joints, congestion, sluggishness and very intense hunger - so sounds promising.
I think I have a referral code for 2 people definitely giving you one month extra support free and might also give you early shipping (if not you could message them in chat and they might upgrade you).
So where should I post that, on here or is there a promotions board where I need to put it?

Givemestrengthorvodka · 25/02/2023 17:59

@Playfulpups I'm keen for a referral code if you still have one going spare? Thank you.

That's good to know there might be a possibility of starting sooner than June. It's the waiting time that always puts me off, I'm so impatient so then I just don't bother signing up

OctaviaOwl · 26/02/2023 17:27

Have a referral code if anyone wants one. Can't post it on here directly as it has my full name on it but anyone is welcome to it. Just message me

Colourmylife1 · 26/02/2023 23:38

Anyone is welcome to use this referral code. I’m on my third week post testing and already feeling the benefits
joinzoe.mention-me.com/m/ol/hi4yf-bceb7f6c4f

redrobin75 · 06/03/2023 08:17

Has anyone had trouble with the blood test? I had to do it twice in 5 days (with the whole muffin eating thing), I hope it works this time and have posted my card back, if it doesn't I don't think I can face doing it again.

MaverickSnoopy · 06/03/2023 13:54

@redredrobin75 I did. I followed the instructions to the letter and paid close attention where it said to fill the box and that the amount of drops varied between people. I sat and watched it not progress and then realised (after the timeframe) that the card itself said to fill to the line. I hadn't even noticed it, but I was so clear in my head that I'd followed the instructions i wasn't looking for more information. I redid it and it was all fine. I can see that they've processed it and there wasn't a problem.

Playfulpups · 06/03/2023 15:45

Yes I just started I’m on day 3 I think

Startlingchatter · 07/03/2023 16:28

I've made it through the muffins today (only just managed the breakfast ones) but gutted to have messed up the blood test. I'm squeamish so asked OH to help with it and ended up with blood everywhere! Can't believe I'm going to have to do it again.

redrobin75 · 07/03/2023 19:40

@Startlingchatter , sorry to hear, I let them know immediately and the second set of muffins arrived within 4 days.

I'm now on day 9 of the blood sugar monitor, I've found logging my meals good and I've lost weight as too embarrassed to eat a chocolate bar and then record it!

I haven't done any blood sugar challenges yet, has anyone else done them?

Playfulpups · 07/03/2023 20:01

I started one today, oats with water for breakfast. Tomorrow will be pecan nuts.
Also I tried 2 slices white toast with peanut butter and no blood sugar rose

LulooLemon · 16/03/2023 09:52

My daily messages have stopped coming. And still no results for me. I'm wondering if they've lost my poo sample. 😟

ThankYouVeryMuchGerry · 16/03/2023 15:31

I'm nearly all the way through the program, and its been eye opening for me. My blood sugars and fats were all really bad, my microbes were awful and my blood sugar monitoring was just scary. My report actually made me tearful!

I've been following for four months now and had a complete overhaul, and even though I was pretty clued up on nutrition beforehand, it's given me even more information.

I did ask if they did a follow up as I'd love to see the difference in my results but have been told this isn't something they offer at the moment. It's been really good for me.

Startlingchatter · 16/03/2023 17:07

I started one of the challenges today - to eat chocolate! (win-win, given that I've also been too embarrassed to eat any with the glucose monitor on). The amount they state to eat is actually quite a lot - I had half a bar of Green & Blacks milk today. The same amount of dark chocolate tomorrow.

Original poster
SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 17/03/2023 17:53

@ThankYouVeryMuchGerry How do you feel now after making so many changes?

OP posts:
redrobin75 · 17/03/2023 19:00

@Startlingchatter , you don't have to do the challenges, Zoe don't take them into account - just the muffin result and first 3 days of recording.