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Zoe Nutrition - life changing or a fad? I'm wondering whether to take the plunge

36 replies

BergamotMouse · 28/05/2023 07:45

I'm wondering whether this is worth a go.

Has anyone given it a go? Would you recommend it? I've seen things saying it's common sense and a lot of the recommended foods are the same for everyone.

I don't want to waste my money.

OP posts:
Lot1 · 18/10/2023 11:09

I am currently doing the program. What they don’t tell you is that it is only really achievable if it is your main area of focus for the first 2 weeks. I also have a backlog of “lessons” ( generic sound bytes) which I find dull and unilluminating
it is overpriced and I would not recommend.
I was unable to complete some of the challenges as I have a life to live and don’t have 3hrs to sit around so my blood sugar responses to my breakfast can be monitored.
all in all it is an overpriced rip off imo.

Verbena17 · 19/10/2023 12:07

You could totally save the money and buy a finger prick test kit and then note down what you eat. Exactly the same thing to see when the food you eat is causing spikes in blood sugar.

The Zoe thing probs tells you more than that too but if it’s basically blood glucose you want to monitor, it’s common sense.

If you cut out processed carbs and high spiking carbs (think some fruits and veggies too) and eat a very low carb content diet along with healthy proteins, fats and low carb fruit and veg, your blood sugar won’t spike and will level off/decrease.

I spent 3 months eating like that and my HBA1C went from 50 (diabetic although they hadn’t officially diagnosed me) to 43 - only just into the pre-diabetic range. I literally did the above and it worked. I’m now eating like that for life but I feel so much better, have lost weight and feel pretty well.

NicolaSchleifer · 27/10/2023 22:59

Really enjoyed reading this thread --Even though I am a Dietian and health coach I also was considering trying Zoe because it looks fun! (Plus the people that started it were my lecturers and they do know their stuff).

I think tests like these can be motivating to certain people, (especially people who still think breakfast cereal, orange juice and toast are the best way to start the day, as blood glucose monitors can be quite eye-opening in those cases). But yes, you can get blood glucose monitors (and poo tests) elsewhere too . I'd say that the most novel thing about Zoe is that it can measure whether your body has an inflammatory reaction to certain fats. I'd be curious to know what that result was for me.

I love tests because I like learning about my body. But I look at them like fine tuning, best done after you have the basics down.

Because when it comes down to it, whatever tests you take and whatever results they give you, the basics of healthy eating, as many of you pointed out are similar for a lot of people. The "zoe way of eating" is not any different to what I, or others who are up to date on the research, would advise as a starting point. Sadly, no one will be told they can have pringles and ready meals...

The HARD part is actually changing your habits. If you succeed, it's no longer something you have to think about most of the time. It's not a diet, it's just something that works for you and it becomes automatic.

Zoe might motivate you or it might give you more knowledge. But getting there is more about implementation than knowledge.

You have to find the meals that will make you feel great, yes, but they also have to be practical, and suit your, tastes, needs and life-stage (with the differing nutrient-needs those bring). And as a lot of you have said, I guess a a chat-bot coach is not going to help you with that!

I still might try it but will probably wait, as the technology is improving all the time. And will go in with my eyes open.

NicolaSchleifer · 27/10/2023 23:14

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 28/05/2023 09:34

Would the CGM thingy be useful for someone who doesn't have diabetes but has a very strong family history of heart disease, so concerned about blood sugar spikes in relation to developing heart problems? Does it tell you how to interpret the results it gives? Like - blood sugar is supposed to go up after you eat, so how do you know when it's a dangerous spike and not just a natural and safe after eating rise?

If you buy it from Abbott the app is not particularly user-friendly and the range it automatically sets as the "desireable" range is too high if you're worried about inflammation and heart disease. You can change this range but probably have to understand a bit more about it. I am a dietitian so know alot and I still find it clunky. There is an app called Veri which has a more user-friendly interface. It also works on a "score" basis and while it isn't perfect i think it's much better than the freestyle libre app (which you have to use anyway and link up to the Veri one). They all take a bit of effort to understand how they work, so you need to be quite keen. Personally I think it's great that you're aware about glucose , and as long as you're not going to get too anxious and obsessive about it then it can be a great tool-- it's is definitely part of the picture but not the whole picture, as other things affect the glucose levels, not just food!

Smithb · 22/02/2024 10:09

Hello I’m thinking of subscribing to Zoe nutrition is a 4 month beneficial enough or 12 months???

MooMooI2 · 19/06/2024 00:21

Verbena17 · 19/10/2023 12:07

You could totally save the money and buy a finger prick test kit and then note down what you eat. Exactly the same thing to see when the food you eat is causing spikes in blood sugar.

The Zoe thing probs tells you more than that too but if it’s basically blood glucose you want to monitor, it’s common sense.

If you cut out processed carbs and high spiking carbs (think some fruits and veggies too) and eat a very low carb content diet along with healthy proteins, fats and low carb fruit and veg, your blood sugar won’t spike and will level off/decrease.

I spent 3 months eating like that and my HBA1C went from 50 (diabetic although they hadn’t officially diagnosed me) to 43 - only just into the pre-diabetic range. I literally did the above and it worked. I’m now eating like that for life but I feel so much better, have lost weight and feel pretty well.

Edited

So, Am I getting this right? If I eat something and my blood sugar spikes, then that food is bad? If it doest spike, then that is a good food?

PrimaDoner · 19/06/2024 07:22

Following!

Kayadiana · 19/06/2024 13:50

Hi. I’ve just had the results from my Zoe test - worth it for me as it turns out that my body is slow at clearing fats, excellent at clearing glucose and I have a microbiome that is not great, but better than expected, given I’ve had some pretty serious medication. I can work with this.

However, I’m not at all sure that it’s worth buying the membership: the articles are basic, aimed at people who currently eat ultra-processed food most of the time. There are ratings for individual foods (a lot of US brands), but they blend together the effects of all 3 measures - sugar/carb content, fat and fibre- so if you’re interested on improving just one or two health measures, the ratings aren’t so helpful. I also found using the App confusing, and I suspect that much (? all) of the program’s coaching will be generic and bot generated.

i’m still on the fence about joining up, but I suspect that the test results (and the Zoe podcasts) have already given me most of the value.

Fadtastiv · 18/07/2024 14:30

Zoe is creating a population of the worried well. If you want. Good dietetic advice on how to improve your microbiome and keep blood sugars in check see a registered dietician. Zoe is a very selfish look at these issues. Let’s face it 90% of folk don’t understand the info they have no idea of what They are told is based on factual medical evidence or if it has been peer review. Stop worrying about it and get on with your life and enjoy your eating food you like, any health issues get advice from a State Registered Dietician

RoseTulips2023 · 18/07/2024 16:48

I signed up for Zoe and did the testing phase a few weeks ago. I'm still waiting to hear which are my green and red foods etc. I can't believe it takes that long to give these results. I think they just want to make sure that you're signed up to the membership. I would definitely not recommend Zoe. It looks like I have been signed up for the 12 month membership in addition to what testing cost - essentially £600 in total. I think a lot of what it states is obvious and from speaking to a medical friend - and I wish I'd spoken to her first - the poo sample is just a snapshot of how you are on the day and doesn't reveal much more.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68452019

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