May 2004

ISSUE TWENTY-ONE

May 2004

Unfortunately, the full benefit of

the Zone diet is largely limited to
those who have at least at first
weighed and measured their food.

For a decade we’ve

experimented with sizing and
portioning strategies that avoid
scales, and measuring cups and
spoons only to conclude that
natural variances in caloric intake
and macronutrient composition
without measurement are greater
than the resolution required to
turn good performance to great.
Life would be much easier for us
were this not so!

The “meal plans” and “block

chart” below have been our
most expedient approach for
eliciting the Zone’s best offering in
athletes.

Void of theoretical or technical

Meal Plans content this portal to sound
nutrition still requires some basic
arithmetic and weighing and
Our recommendation to “eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, measuring portions for the first
little starch, and no sugar” is adequate to the task of preventing the scourges of week.
diet-induced disease, but more accurate and precise prescription is necessary to
optimize physical performance. Too many athletes after
supposedly reading “Enter the
Finely tuned, a good diet will increase energy, sense of well being and acumen, Zone” still ask, “So what do I eat
while simultaneously flensing fat and packing on muscle. When properly composed for dinner?” They get meal plans
the right diet can nudge every important quantifiable marker for health in the right and block charts. We can make
direction. the Zone more complicated or
simpler but not more effective.
Diet is critical to optimizing human function and our clinical experience leads us to
believe that Barry Sears’ “Zone Diet” closely models optimal nutrition. We encourage everyone to
weigh and measure portions for
CrossFit’s best performers are Zone eaters. When our second tier athletes commit one week because it is supremely
to “strict” adherence to the Zone parameters they generally become top tier worth the effort, not because it is
performers quickly. It seems that the Zone diet accelerates and amplifies the effects fun. If you choose to “guestimate”
of the CrossFit regimen. continued page ... 10

1
 May 2004

Meal Plans
“Blocks”

What is a Block?
Sample Day Block requirements for small (“4 block”) male

A block is a unit of measure used to Breakfast Lunch Snack Dinner Snack

simplify the process of making balanced
meals. Protein 4 4 2 4 24

7 grams of protein = 1block of protein Carbohydrate 4 4 2 4 4

9 grams of carbohydrate = 1 block of
carbohydrate Fat 4 4 2 4 4
1.5 grams of fat = 1 block of fat
(There is an assumption that there is
about 1.5 grams of fat in each block
of protein, so the total amount of fat Choose which body type best fits you to determine your block
needed per 1 block meal is 3 grams.) requirement.
When a meal is composed of equal Breakfast Lunch Snack Dinner Snack Total daily blocks Body type
blocks of protein, carbohydrate, and fat,
it is 40 % carbohydrate, 30 % protein
and 30% fat. 2 2 2 2 2 10 Small female

Pages 3 and 4 list common foods, 3 3 1 3 1 11 Medium female

their macronutrient category (protein,
carbohydrate or fat), along with a 3 3 2 3 2 13 Large female
conversion of measurements to blocks.

This “block chart” is a convenient tool 4 4 1 4 1 14 Athletic - well

for making balanced meals. Simply muscled female
choose 1 item from the protein list, 1
item from the carbohydrate list, and 1 4 4 2 4 2 16 Small male
item from the fat list to compose a 1
block meal. Or choose 2 items from 5 5 1 5 1 17 Medium male
each column to compose a 2 block
meal, etc. 5 5 2 5 2 19 Large male

Here is a sample 4 block meal: 4 4 4 4 4 20 X-Large male

4 oz. chicken breast

5 5 3 5 3 21 Hard gainer
1 artichoke
1 cup of steamed vegetables w/
24 crushed peanuts
5 5 4 5 4 23 Large hard gainer
1 sliced apple

This meals contains 28 grams of protein,

5 5 5 5 5 25 Athletic - well
36 grams of carbohydrate, and 12 grams
muscled male
of fat. It is simpler, though, to think of
it as 4 blocks of protein, 4 blocks of
carbohydrate, and 4 blocks of fat.

2
 May 2004

Meal Plans
Block Chart

Proteinien(cooked quantity) Carbohydrate (cooked) Carbohydrate (cooked) Fat (quantity)

chichen breast 1 oz oatmeal 1/3 cup fava beans 1/3 cup almonds ~3
turkey breast 1 oz artichoke 1 small kale 1 1/4 cup avocado 1 Tbs
ground turkey 1 1/2 oz asparagus 12 spears kidney beans 1/4 cup canola oil 1/3 tsp
veal 1 oz green beans 1 cup leeks 1 cup macadamia nuts ~1
beef 1 oz beet greens 1 1/4 cup lentils 1/4 cup olives ~5
ground beef 1 1/2 oz black beans 1/4 cup okra 3/4 cup peanut butter 1/2 tsp
canadian bacon 1 oz bok choy 3 cups onions 1/2 cup peanuts ~6
corned beef 1 oz broccoli 1 1/4 cup saurkraut 1 cup cashews ~3
duck 1 1/2 oz brussel sprouts 3/4 cup spagetti squash 1 cup peanut oil 1/3 tsp
ham 1 oz cabbage 1 1/3 cup spinach 1 1/3 cup olive oil 1/3 tsp
lamb 1 oz cauliflower 1 1/4 cup swiss chard 1 1/4 cup tahini 1/3 tsp
ground lamb 1 1/2 oz chick peas 1/4 cup tomato sauce 1/2 cup guacomole 1/2 Tbs
pork 1 oz collard greens 1 1/4 cup tomatoes 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1/3 tsp
ground pork 1 1/2 oz dill pickles 3 (3 in) yellow squash 1 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/3 tsp
calamari 1 1/2 oz eggplant 1 1/2 cup zuccini 1 1/3 cup mayo, light 1 tsp
catfish 1 1/2 oz seseme oil 1/3 tsp
Carbohydrate (raw) Carbohydrate (raw)
clams 1 1/2 oz sunflower seeds 1/4 tsp
crabmeat 1 1/2 oz alfalfa sprouts 7 1/2 cup grapes 1/2 cup bacon bits 2 1/2 tsp
flounder/sole 1 1/2 oz bean sprouts 3 cups grapefruit 1/2 butter 1/3 tsp
lobster 1 1/2 oz broccoli 2 cups honeydew 1/2 half and half 1 Tbs
salmon 1 1/2 oz cabbage 2 1/4 cups kiwi 1 cream, light 1/2 tsp
sardines 1 oz cauliflower 2 cups lemon 1 cream cheese 1 tsp
scallops 1 1/2 oz celery 2 cups lime 1 sour cream 1 tsp
swordfish 1 1/2 oz cucumber 1 (9 in) nectarine 1/2 tartar sauce 1/2 tsp
shrimp 1 1/2 oz lettuce, Iceburg 1 head orange 1/2 lard 1/3 tsp
tuna steak 1 1/2 oz lettuce, romaine 6 cups peach 1 veg. shortening 1/3 tsp
canned tuna 1 oz mushrooms 3 cups pear 1/2
protein powder 1 oz onion 2/3 cup pinapple 1/2 cup
seitan 1 oz peppers 1 1/4 cup plum 1
soy burgers 1/2 patty radishes 2 cups raspberries 2/3 cup
soy sausage 2 links salsa 1/2 cups strawberries 1 cup
spirulina (dried) 1/2 oz snow peas 3/4 cup tangerine 1
soy cheese 1 oz spinach 4 cups watermelon 2/4 cup
firm tofu 2 oz tomato 1 cup *Note: combo items contain 1
soft tofu 3 oz apple 1/2
Combo Items (quantity) block of proteinien and 1 block of
whole egg 1 large apple sauce 3/8 cup carbohydrate
milk 1 cup
egg whites 2 large apricots 3 small yogurt (plain) 1/2 cup
egg substitute 1/4 cup blackberries 1/2 cup soybeans 1/4 cup
cottage cheese 1/4 cup cantaloupe 1/4 soymilk 1 cup
cheese 1 oz cherries 7 tempeh 1 1/2 oz
feta cheese 1 1/2 oz fruit cocktail 1/3 cup
ricotta cheese 2 oz blueberries 1/2 cup
3
 May 2004

Meal Plans
Block Chart - Unfavorable Carbohydrates

Carbohydrate (quantity) Carbohydrate (quantity) Carbohydrate (quantity)

Vegetables Grains and Breads Condiments

Acorn Squash 3/8 cup Bagel 1/4 BBQ sauce 2 Tbs
Baked Beans 1/8 cup Barley 1Tbs Catsup 2 Tbs
Beets 1/2 cup Biscuit 1/4 Cocktail sauce 2 Tbs
Black-eyed peas 1/4 cup Baked Potato 1/3 cup Honey 1/2 Tbs
Butternut Squash 1/3 cup Bread crumbs 1/2 oz Jelly/jam 2 tsp
Cooked carrots 1/2 cup Bread 1/2 slice Plum sauce 1 1/2 Tbs
Corn 1/4 cup Breadstick 1 Molasses 2 tsp
French Fries 5 Buckwheat 1/2 oz Pickle (bread and butter) 6 slices
Hubbard squash 2/3 cup Bulgur wheat 1/2 oz Relish (sweet) 4 tsp
Lima beans 1/4 cup Cereal 1/2 oz Steak sauce 2 Tbs
Parsnips 1/3 (9 in) Corn bread 1 in2 Brown sugar 1 1/2 tsp
Peas 1/3 cup Cornstarch 4 tsp Granulated sugar 2 tsp
Pinto Beans 1/4 cup Croissant 1/4 Confectioners sugar 1 Tbs
Potato, boiled 1/3 cup Crouton 1/2 oz Maple syrup 2 tsp
Potato, mashed 1/5 cup Donut 1/4 Teriyaki sauce 1 1/2 Tbs
Refried beans 1/4 cup English muffin 1/4 Alcohol
Sweet Potato, baked 1/3 (5 in) Flour 1 1/2 tsp Beer 8 oz
Sweet potato, mashed 1/5 cup Granola 1/2 oz Liqour 1 oz
Turnip 3/4 cup Grits 1/3 cup Wine 4 oz
Fruit Melba toast 1/2 oz Snacks
Muffins 1/4
Banana 1/3 (9 in) Chocolate bar 1/2 oz
Noodles 1/4 cup
Cranberries 1/4 cup Corn chips 1/2 oz
Instant oatmeal 1/2 pkt
Cranberry sauce 4 tsp Graham crackers 1 1/2
Pasta, Cooked 1/4 cup
Dates 2 Ice cream 1/4 cup
Pasta, high protein 1/3 cup
Figs 3/4 Potato chips 1/2 cup
Pancake 1/2 (4 in)
Guava 1/2 cup Pretzels 1/2 oz
Pita bread 1/4
Kumquat 3 Tortilla chips 1/2 oz
Popcorn 2 cups
Mango 1/3 cup Saltine crackers 4
Rice 3 Tbs
Papaya 2/3 cup
Rice cake 1
Prunes 2
Roll (hamburger, hot dog) 1/4
Raisins 1 Tbs
Roll (dinner) 1/2
Fruit Juice
Taco shell 1
*Note: When building meals with
Apple juice 1/3 cup Tortilla (corn) 1 (6 in) “unfavorable carbohydrates” quantity
Cranberry juice 1/4 cup Tortilla (flour) 1/2 (6 in) becomes critical.
Fruit Punch 1/4 cup Udon noodles 3 Tbs
Grape juice 1/4 cup Waffle 1/2
Grapefruit juice 3/8 cup
Lemon juice 1/3 cup
Orange juice 3/8 cup
Pinapple juice 1/4 cup
Tomato juice 3/4 cup 4
 May 2004

Meal Plans
2 Block Menus

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Breakfast Quesadilla Tuna Sandwich Fresh Fish

1 corn tortialla Mix: Grill:
1/4 cup black beans 2 oz canned tuna 3 oz fresh fish (salmon, tuna, halibut, etc.)
1 egg (scrambled or fried) 2 tsp light mayo Saute:
1 oz cheese Serve on 11/3 cup zucchini in herbs
1 Tbs avocado 1 slice bread Serve with:
1 large salad
Breakfast Sandwich Tacos ~1Tbs salad dressing of choice
1/2 pita bread 1 corn tortilla
1 egg (scrambled or fried) 3 oz seasoned ground meat Beef Stew
1 oz cheese 1/2 tomato, cubed Saute:
Served with 2 macadamia nuts 1/4 cup onion, chopped 2/3 tsp olive oil
Lettuce, chopped 1/4 cup onion, chopped
Fruit Salad Served with Tabasco to taste 1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup cottage cheese mixed with ~6 chopped olives ~4 oz (raw weight) beef, cubed
1/4 cantaloupe Add:
1/2 cup strawberries Deli Sandwich 1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/4 cup grapes 1 slice bread 1 cup mushroons
Sprinkled with slivered almonds 3 oz sliced deli meat 1/4 cup tomato sauce
2 Tbs avocado Seasoned with garilc, Worcestershire sauce,
Smoothie salt and pepper
Blend together: Quesadilla
1 cup milk 1 corn tortilla Chili (serves 3)
1Tbs protein powder 2 oz cheese Saute:
1 cup frozen strawberries 2 Tbs guacamole 1/3 cup onion
Small scoop of cashews Jalapenos, sliced 1 green pepper, chopped in garlic, cumin,
Topped with salsa chili powder, and crushed red peppers
Oatmeal Add:
1/3 cup cooked oatmeal (slightly watery) Grilled Chicken Salad 1 cup tomato, chopped
1/2 cup grapes 2 oz grilled chicken 1/2 cup black beans
1/4 cup cottage cheese Served over: 1/2 cup kidney beans
1 tsp walnuts 2 cup lettuce ~ 30 olives, chopped
Spice with vanilla extract and cinnamon 1/4 tomato, diced Add fresh cilantro to taste
Add: 1/4 cucumber, diced
1 Tbs protein powder 1/4 green pepper Turkey and Greens
1/4 cup black beans 2 oz roasted turkey breast
Easy Breakfast ~1 Tbs salad dressing of choice Chop and steam:
1/2 cantaloupe 1 1/4 cup kale
1/2 cup cottage cheese Easy Lunch Saute:
6 almonds 3 oz deli meat 2/3 tsp olive oil, garlic, crushed red peppers,
1 apple Add steamed kale and mix
Steak and Eggs 2 macadamia nuts 1 peach, sliced for desert
1 oz grilled steak
1 egg over easy Ground Beef or Turkey Burger Easy Chicken Dinner
1 slice toast with 3 oz ground meat, grilled 2 oz baked chicken breast
2/3 tsp butter 1/2 bun 1 orange
pickles/mustard/lettuce 2 macadamia nuts
2 Tbs avocado

5
 May 2004

Meal Plans
3 Block Menus

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Breakfast Quesadilla Tuna Sandwhch Fresh Fish
1 corn tortialla 3 oz canned tuna 4 1/2 oz fresh fish, grilled
1/4 cup black beans 3 tsp light mayo Saute 1 1/3 cup zucchini in herbs
1/3 cup onions, chopped 1 slice bread Serve with
1 green pepper, chopped Serve with: 1 large salad with 1 1/2 Tbs salad dressing
2 eggs (scambled or fried) 1/2 apple of choice
1 oz cheese 1 cup fresh stawberries for dessert
3 Tbs acocado Tacos
2 corn tortillas Chili (serves 3)
Breakfast Sandwich 3 oz seasoned ground meat Saute:
1/2 pit bread 1 oz grated cheese 1/3 cup onion, chopped
1 egg (scrambled or fried) 1/2 tomato, cubed 1 green pepper, chopped, in garlic cumin,
1 oz cheese 1/4 cup onion, chopped chili powder, and crushed red peppers
1 oz sliced ham Lettuce, chopped Add:
Serve with 1/2 apple and 3 macadamia nuts Serve with Tabasco to taste 9 oz ground beef or turkey until browned
~ 9 olives, chopped Add:
Fruit Salad 1 cup tomato sauce
3/4 cup cottage cheese Deli Sandwich 3/4 cup black beans
1/4 cantaloupe, cubed 1 slice bread 3/4 cup kidney beans
1 cup strawberries 3 oz sliced deli meat ~30 olives, chopped
1/2 cup grapes 1 oz cheese Add fresh cilantro to taste
Sprinkle with slivered almonds 3 Tbs avocado Serve each helping with 1 oz cheese, grated
Serve with 1/2 apple
Smoothie Turkey and Greens
Blend together: Quesadilla 3 oz turkey breast, roasted
1 cup milk 1 corn tortilla Chop and steam:
2 Tbs protein powder 3 oz cheddar and jack cheese 2 1/2 cup kale
1 cup frozen strawberries 3 Tbs guacamole Saute 1 tsp olive oil, garlic, crushed red
1/2 cup frozen blueberries Jalapenos, sliced, to taste peppers
1 scoop cashews Top with salsa Add the steamed kale and mix
Serve with 1 orange 1 peach, sliced for dessert
Oatmeal
2/3 cup cooked oatmeal (slightly watery) Grilled Chiken Salad Easy Dinner
1/2 cup grapes 3 oz chicken, grilled 3 oz chiken breast, baked
1/2 cup cottage cheese 2 cups lettuce 1 1/2 orange
1 1/2 tsp walnuts, chopped 1/4 tomato, chopped 3 macadamia nuts
Spice with vanilla extract and cinnamon 1/4 cucumber, chopped
Add: 1/4 green pepper, chopped Beef Stew
1 Tbs protein powder 1/4 cup black beans Saute: 1 tsp olive oil
1/4 cup kidney beans 1/4 cup onion, chopped
Easy Breakfast ~1 1/2 Tbs salad dressing of choice 1/2 green pepper, chopped
3/4 cantaloupe, cubed ~6 oz (raw weight) beef, cubed
3/4 cup cottage cheese Easy Lunch Add:
9 almonds 3 oz deli meat 1 cup chopped zucchini
1 oz sliced cheese 1 cup mushrooms
Steak and Eggs 1 1/2 apple 1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 oz grilled steak 3 macadamia nuts Season with garlic, Worchstershire sauce,
1 egg over easy salt and pepper
1 slice toast w/ 1 tsp butter
1/4 cantaloupe, cubed

6
 May 2004

Meal Plans
4 Block Menus

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Breakfast Quesadilla Tuna Sandwich Fresh Fish
1 corn tortilla 4 oz canned tuna 6 oz fresh fish, grilled
1/2 cup black beans 4 tsp light mayo Saute: 1 1/3 cup zucchini in herbs
1/3 cup onions, chopped 1 slice bread Serve with:
1 green pepper, chopped Serve with 1 apple 1 large salad with 2 Tbs salad dressing of
2 eggs (scrambled or fried) choice
2 oz cheese Deli Sandwich 2 cups fresh strawberries
4 Tbs avocado 2 slices of bread
4 1/2 oz sliced deli meat Beef Stew
Breakfast Sandwich 1 oz cheese Saute:
1/2 pita bread 4 Tbs avocado 1 1/3 tsp olive oil
2 eggs (scrambled or fried) 1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 oz cheese Quesadilla 1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 oz sliced ham 1 corn tortilla ~8 oz (raw weight) beef, cubed
Serve with 1 apple 4 oz cheese Add:
4 Tbs guacamole 1 cup zucchini, chopped
Fruit Salad Jalapenos, sliced 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
1 cup cottage cheese Top with salsa 1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cantaloupe, cubed Serve with 1 1/2 oranges Season with garlic, Worcestershire sauce,
1 cup strawberries salt and pepper
1/2 cup grapes Tacos Serve with 1 cup fresh strawberries
Sprinkled with slivered almonds 2 corn tortillas
4 1/2 oz seasoned ground meat Chili (serves 3)
Smoothie 1 oz cheese, grated Saute:
Blend together: 1/2 tomato, cubed 2/3 cup onion, chopped
2 cups milk 1/4 cup onion, chopped 2 green peppers, chopped, in garlic, cumin,
2 Tbs protein powder Lettuce, chopped chili powder, and crushed red peppers
1 cup frozen strawberries Serve with Tabasco to taste Add:
1/2 cup frozen blueberries ~20 olives chopped 18 oz ground meat until browned
Large scoop cashews 1/2 apple Add:
2 cups tomato sauce
Oatmeal Grilled Chicken Salad 1 cup black beans
1 cup cooked oatmeal (slightly watery) 4 oz chicken, grilled 1 cup kidney beans
1/2 cup grapes 2 cups lettuce ~40 chopped olives
3/4 cup cottage cheese 1/4 tomato, chopped Fresh cilantro to taste
2 tsp walnuts 1/4 cucumber, chopped
Spice with vanilla extract and cinnamon 1/4 green pepper, chopped Turkey and Greens
Add: 1/2 cup black beans 4 oz turkey breast, roasted
1 Tbs protein powder 1/4 cup kidney beans 2 1/2 cup kale, chopped and steamed
~2 Tbs salad dressing of choice Saute:
Easy Breakfast 1 1/3 tsp olive oil, garlic, crushed red
1 cantaloupe Easy Lunch peppers
1 cup cottage cheese 4 1/2 oz deli meat Add kale and mix
12 almonds 1 oz cheese 2 peaches, sliced for dessert
Serve with:
Steak and Eggs 1 apple Easy Dinner
3 oz steak, grilled 1 grapefruit 4 oz chicken breast, baked
1 egg, over easy 4 macadamia nuts 2 oranges
1 slice bread with 1 1/3 tsp butter 4 macadamia nuts
1/2 cantaloupe

7
 May 2004

Meal Plans
5 Block Menus

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Breakfast Quesadilla Tuna Sandwich Fresh Fish
2 corn tortillas 5 oz tuna, canned 7 1/2 oz fresh fish
1/2 cup black beans 5 tsp light mayo Saute:
1/3 cup onions, chopped 1 slice bread 1 1/3 cup zucchini in herbs
1 green pepper, chopped Serve with 1 1/2 apple Serve with 1 large salad with 2 1/2
3 eggs (scrambled or fried) Tbs salad dressing of choice
2 oz cheese Deli Sandwich 1/4 cup black beans
5 Tbs avocado 2 slices bread 2 cups fresh strawberries for dessert
4 1/2 oz deli meat
Breakfast Sandwich 2 oz cheese Beef Stew
1/2 pita bread 5 Tbs avocado Saute:
2 eggs (scrambled or fried) 1/2 apple 1 2/3 tsp olive oil
2 oz cheese 1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 oz ham, sliced Quesadilla 1/2 green pepper, chopped
Serve with 1 1/2 apple 2 corn tortillas ~10 oz (raw weight) beef, cubed
5 oz cheese Add:
Fruit Salad 5 Tbs guacamole 1 cup zucchini, chopped
1 1/4 cup cottage cheese Jalapenos, sliced, to taste 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
1/2 cantaloupe, cubed Serve with 1 1/2 orange 1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 cup strawberries Season with garlic, Worcestershire
1 cup grapes Tacos sauce, salt and pepper
Sprinkle with slivered almonds 2 corn tortillas Serve with 2 cups fresh strawberries
6 oz seasoned ground meat
Smoothie 1 oz cheese, grated Chili (serves 3)
Blend together: 1/2 tomato, cubed Saute:
2 cups milk 1/4 cup onion, chopped 1 cup onion, chopped
3 Tbs protein powder Lettuce, chopped 2 1/2 green peppers in garlic, cumin,
2 cups frozen strawberries Serve with Tabasco to taste chili powder and crushed red peppers
1/2 cup frozen blueberries ~20 olives, chopped Add:
Extra large scoop cashews 1 apple 22 1/2 oz ground meat, browned
Add:
Oatmeal Grilled Chicken Salad 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup cooked oatmeal (slightly watery) 5 oz chicken, grilled 1 1/4 cup black beans
1 cup grapes 2 cups lettuce 1 1/4 cup kidney beans
1 cup cottage cheese 1/4 tomato, chopped ~50 olives, chopped
2 1/2 tsp walnuts 1/4 cucumber, chopped Add fresh cilantro to taste
Spice with vanilla extract and cinnamon 1/4 green pepper, chopped
Add: 1 Tbs protein powder 1/2 cup black beans Turkey and Greens
1/2 cup kidney beans 5 oz turkey breast, roasted
Easy Breakfast 2 1/2 Tbs salad dressing of choice 2 1/2 cup kale, chopped and steamed
1 1/4 cantaloupe Saute:
1 1/4 cup cottage cheese Easy Lunch 1 2/3 tsp olive oil, garlic and crushed
~ 15 almonds 4 1/2 oz deli meat red peppers
2 oz cheese Add steamed kale and mix
Steak and Eggs Serve with: Serve with 3 peaches, sliced
3 oz steak, grilled 2 1/2 apples
2 eggs, over easy 5 macadamia nuts Easy Dinner
1 slice bread with 1 2/3 tsp butter 5 oz chicken breast, baked
1 1/2 apple 2 1/2 oranges
5 macadamia nuts

8
 May 2004

Meal Plans
1 Block Snacks

1 poached egg 1/4 cup cottage cheese

Snacks 1/2 slice bread 1/2 cup pineapple
1/2 tsp peanut butter 6 peanuts
1 hard boiled egg
1/2 orange
1/4 cup cottage cheese 1 oz sardines
Sprinkled w/ peanuts
1/2 carrot 1/2 nectarine
3 celery stalks 5 olives
5 olives
1/2 cup plain yogurt
Sprinkled w/ pecans
1 1/2 oz feta cheese
3 oz marinated and baked tofu 1 cup diced tomato
1/2 apple 5 olives
1 oz cheese
1/2 tsp peanut butter
1/2 apple
1 macadamia nut
1 1/2 oz salmon
1 oz tuna 12 asparagus spears
1 large tossed salad 1/3 tsp olive oil
1 oz canned chicken or tuna
1 tsp salad dressing of choice
1 peach
1/2 tsp peanut butter
1 1/2 oz shrimp
1 hard boiled egg 2 cups broccoli
1 large spinach salad 6 peanuts
1 1/2 oz deli-style ham or turkey
1 tsp oil and vinegar dressing
1 carrot
5 olives
1 oz canadian bacon
1 oz grilled turkey breast 1 plum
1/2 cup blueberries 1 macadamia nut
1 oz mozzarella string cheese
3 cashews
1/2 cup grapes
1 Tbs avocado
1 1/2 oz deli-style turkey
Blend: 1 tangerine
1 cup water 1 Tbs avocado
1 oz jack cheese
1 Tbs protein powder
1 Tbs guacamole
1/2 cup grapes
1 tomato
1/3 tsp canola oil 1/4 cup cottage cheese
1 cup sliced tomato
1/3 tsp olive oil
1 oz hummus
Blend:
1/2 tomato
1 cup water
1 1/2 oz feta cheese
1Tbs spirulina 1 1/2 oz scallops
1 cup frozen berries 1 sliced cucumber
3 cashews 1/2 tsp tartar sauce
1 cup strawberries
1/4 cup cottage cheese
1 macadamia nut
1 oz cheddar cheese melted over 1 oz lamb
1/2 apple 1/4 cup chick peas
Sprinkled w/ walnuts 1/3 tsp sesame butter

9
 May 2004

Meal Plans
Editor

...continued from page 1 The CrossFit Journal is an

portions, you’ll have the result of CrossFit’s
top performers only if and when you are
lucky.
Within a week of weighing and measuring
you’ll have developed an uncanny ability to
estimate the mass of common-food portions,
but, more importantly, you’ll have formed a
keen visual sense of your nutritional needs.
This is a profound awareness.
In the Zone scheme all of humanity
calculates to either “2”, “3”, “4”, or “5 Block”
meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner with
either “1” or “2 block” snacks between
lunch and dinner and again between dinner
and bedtime. We’ve simplified the process
for determining which of the four meal sizes
and two snack sizes best suits your needs.
We assume that you are CrossFitters, i.e.,
very active.
Being a “4 Blocker”, for instance, means that
you eat three meals each day where each
meal is comprised of 4 blocks of protein, 4
blocks of carbohydrate, and 4 blocks of fat.
Whether you are a “smallish” medium sized
guy or a “largish” medium sized guy would
determine whether you’ll need snacks of
one or two blocks twice a day.
Every meal, every snack, must contain
equivalent blocks of protein, carbohydrate, electronically distributed magazine
and fat. (emailed e-zine) published monthly
by www.crossfit.com chronicling
If the protein source is specifically labeled a proven method of achieving elite
“non-fat”, then double the usual fat blocks fitness.
for that meal. Read “Enter the Zone” to
learn why. For subscription information go to
the CrossFit Store at:
At Zone parameters body fat comes off
fast. When our men fall below 10% towards http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/
5% we kick up the fat intake. The majority store.html
of our best athletes end up at X blocks of
protein, X blocks of carbohydrate, and 4X or send a check or money order
or 5X blocks of fat. Learn to modulate fat in the amount of $25 to:
intake to a level of leanness that optimizes
performance. CrossFit
P.O. Box 2769
The Zone diet neither prohibits nor Aptos CA 95001
requires any particular food. It can
accommodate paleo or vegan, organic Please include your
or kosher, fast food or fine dining, while name,
delivering the benefits of high performance address
nutrition. email address.
If you have any questions
or comments send them to
feedback@crossfit.com.
end.
Your input will be greatly
appreciated and every email will
be answered.

The “meal plans” stand as examples of 2,

3, 4, or 5 block meals and the “block chart”
gives quantities of common foods equivalent
to 1 block of protein, carbohydrate, or fat.

Once you decide that you need, say, “4

block” meals, it is simple to use the block
Cover Photo
chart and select four times something Wild Black Bass with
from the protein list, four times something Artichoke Ragout
from the carbohydrate list, and four times
something from the fat list every meal. Created by Eric Lau, Chef/Owner of
Oswald - Santa Cruz California www.crossfit.com
One-block snacks are chosen from
the block chart at face value for a single
snack of protein, carbohydrates, and fat,
whereas two block snacks are, naturally,
chosen comprised of twice something
from carbohydrates combined with twice
something from the protein list, and twice
something from the fats.

10