Would I recommend the Zoe Test - My journey, results, pros + cons

I started filming this video in August last year and can now finally share my results and thoughts on the Zoe Nutrition test Let me know if you have any questions!
03:46: What’s in the box
07:17 Applying the blood guar sensor
11:49 Test Day + muffin challenge
14:38 Gut Health Test
15:21 Lunch Muffins
16:39 Blood Test
18:18 Blood Sugar Challenges + Testing the Sensor
24:37 Removing the Sensor
25:31 My Blood Sugar Results
29:18 Food Scoring + My Gut Results
35:57 High scoring Zoe Meals I’ve enjoyed
36:20 Pros and Cons of Zoe
45:08 Would I recommend and will I still with Zoe
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[@RayGirl19]

Just an insight into why your blood sugar peaked after exercise - you did this exercise before eating, that means you didn't have much sugar (glucose) in your blood for respiration (the reaction to release energy for exercise). As a result your body converted glycogen (your glucose store that is found in liver and muscles) and any fats that you have in your body into glucose for you to be able to get the energy to exercise. This is completely normal :) For reference, I am a Biology teacher and I found this video very interesting. Thank you for sharing!

[@sejbomb]

I feel like these kinds of tests should be available on the NHS when referred by a doctor for investigating regular gut issues. It’s super insightful and as you said digestive issues can be the cause of other issues too. X

[@leonard8766]

Pretty much should be mandatory for everyone yearly in my eyes. With your annual blood tests. Would be insanely insightful for any conditions you have or may develop.

[@awolf913]

@@leonard8766if only money wasn’t a factor ey? Completely agree!

[@awolf913]

As much as it’s beneficial, it’s just too expensive I’m afraid to justify it. As long as we maintain less ultra processed foods in our diets and reduce sugar intake with lots of fruits, vegetables and fibre, you’re good for the most part.

[@charlespaynter8987]

Whilst you’re on the right track, you’re missing the personalised bit and the subtle interactions that can make a big difference to your overall wellbeing - some that you may never know about otherwise. This is particularly true of your gut biome and your responses to eating sugar and fat. You are also losing the chance to contribute valuable data to perhaps the most important large scale experiment into human nutrition ever conducted which is worth the money just in itself. I would therefore say that it’s the best money you’ll ever spend. You get a superb app with a food bar code scanner to check out stuff out at the shop. What price your health for the rest of your life and helping to shift human nutrition and food production to a healthier place🤷

[@awolf913]

@@charlespaynter8987 whilst you maybe correct, it doesn’t take away from the fact that most of us have bills to pay, we have mortgages to pay we have cars to pay for etc. If you can’t afford it there and there then nothing else matters. Like I said, if you eat less processed food and sugar whilst using some intermittent fasting then you are better than I would say most people. Yes it’s not the ideal and I would say it is still healthy so I’m ok with that for now. Is it optimum health? No, and that’s the point, being healthy doesn’t really cost anything but being in optimum health does cost unfortunately. My other question is also this, they say personalised, but can your gut change over time? In other words, as you change your diet to a more healthy one, overtime the foods that did say spike your blood glucose, can that change in a decade or so as your gut changes over time? If it does then that’s a very expensive way to find out, you will be spending £30 or even £60 a month over 10 years to find out. It’s a very new concept and the truth is, I’m not sure we fully know completely. I could probably justify it more if it was a one off but it may not be. It’s not like taking a blood test to test what blood type you are, that result is permanent.

[@tuft9250]

Katie it's actually funny that you mention it, I found your channel when I searched for 'colonoscopy ' and 'woman's truth' when I was looking for perspectives on the procedure for myself a couple of years ago. I'm sure I'm your mum's age, if not much more, and I was worried about the procedure. I was moved by your honesty at a vulnerable time and your sweet nature in spite of adversity. Your strength and ability to 'tell it like it is' left me feeling prepared going into the procedure. And for this video, what an interesting journey this experiment was! Thanks for taking us along with you!

[@carolinef4823]

Following this with interest - thanks for such a helpful video. I'm having similar issues so it's very relatable. So grateful for a previous video re a health check you had too - so helpful because you go over stuff in great detail x

[@lauratyler2948]

Fab video. Really interesting and well rounded review. Appreciated the honesty

[@annieharvey9161]

I’m about to start Zoe next week and this video was so helpful. It’s hard to know what to expect but now I feel informed, thank you! Can’t wait.

[@rugbybid2023]

Thanks so much for documenting this. I was waiting to see what you thought before I went ahead. It’s a shame it’s so expensive but otherwise sounds very useful to get you on track!

[@LisaDickinson-hs3mh]

This was such a fantastic and thorough review of ZOE. I’m just waiting for mine to arrive. Now I know fully what to expect. Thank you xx

[@noush6338]

So helpful! I watched the whole thing. Definitely making me think about doing it. Thank you!

[@crystalshaffer4560]

I got my Zoe kit and just started it without knowing much about it. I am so glad you made a video to show people what the process is. I started on a Sunday and didn’t realize you had to take your blood and ship it the same day. There is definitely some pre planning.

[@timijosephariyo]

Great video, very detailed. Also loved hearing you talk through your experience, very relatable!

[@jazz9493]

Super helpful and great video, thank you! 🥰💕

[@jessicamoonharris]

This was so helpful!! I think I might give it a go 😊

[@lisamccarthy6393]

Very useful, thank you. I've signed up and I'm just working out when to start doing it. Your review gave me a better insight into the process...thank you.

[@xoxveronica1xox]

What a fab review!! Very balanced. Wish this was cheaper to make it more accessible

[@marklola12]

Same, i could stretch to 9.99 a month but that's it, i have too many other bills and things i need to pay for. Besides i do not like alot of foods so things they would no doubt suggest i eat i couldn't so no point... most of what she eats in the video i don't like

[@emmag6255]

Thank you so much for this Katie. I’m having gut issues and really considered this and also didn’t understand the costing exactly and now realise it would be out of my financial range but so good to know all about this.

[@marikatiernan1856]

Such a thorough video. So enlightening. I also didn’t know it doesn’t accommodate intolerances. Well done.

[@andreagordon7904]

Thank you for this excellent review !

[@bobbidazzler1343]

Your food looks incredible! ❤

[@magicsupamoggie]

Thank you for this vid. Just what I wanted to know.

[@theshabbychicken1156]

katie fantastic review. Your 3 bean salad you had with halloumi did you have a dressing on the three bean?

[@endar2401]

Thanks for sharing your experience. It was interesting to watch and hear how it went for you. I won't be getting ZOE or anything similar as it's too much for me to spend for something like that, but it's still interesting nonetheless.

[@lottehayward4063]

Really love this video. Really honest and transparent. Sounds so interesting!! Definitely price puts me off though 😢

[@marccarlton2163]

Very very interesting and i like your down to earth and straightforward approach. For people like me who dont plan to do Zoe i must say i found Tim Spector's book Food for Life very informative about the science behind Zoe and it has helped me improve my food choices.

[@Bowman120]

Am doing Zoe and it has made a big difference to energy levels, how I think about food, and am also dropping weight. For those who say it’s too expensive, while you won’t get personalised info, there is a lot of free information Zoe puts out on social media, and following general guidance of a more plant based diet, cutting out UPFs, and incorporating at least some exercise into your week, you are going to see benefits. And it might encourage you to think about affording the programme. It works out around £1.70 a day if you sign up for a year. For most people, there are things they could drop to account for that - it’s not even the price of a high street coffee. And reflect on what value you are placing on your health, if something that could make such a big improvement isn’t worth £2 a day?

[@suedinym1]

Before I started my friend and I broke it down compared to the cost of doctor visits and routine medical expenses in the States. That turned out to be a great way to justify the price. When following my regular doctor's advice I continued to gain weight, my blood pressure went up, etc. Since signing up for Zoe, I've lost 30 lbs and my blood pressure is now close to 120/80 most days. It's taken 4 months so far, but I feel it has been totally worth it.

[@makeupbyannki_]

Your mental health also has a huge impact on your gut health. Anxiety and stress ruins your nervous system down to cell level. People pleasing is almost always a trauma response. Bloating and stomach pain is also a symptom of a dysregulated nervous system. So focusing on healing your mental health, slowing down and resting - like actually resting not doom scrolling on our phones😅 And eating healthy good food is of course apart of over all good health and gut health🥰 Resting is as productive as working hard for 8+ hours💜 Ive been on a mental healing for 5+ years now. And this year ive had to put youtube and creating on hold for an unknown period of time. Im focusing on teaching my body that rest is good all day every single day, its not the ememy. And its so freakin hard😢 It will be worth it in the end. Thats what i keep telling myself🥰

[@debbiesco]

Great review

[@GigliolaValeria]

Great video thank you for sharing! Would you recommend Zoe for IBS-C? Sounds like I have the same IBS issues as you but I already eat a super healthy diet (whole food plant based with a bit of fish every now and again). So lots of veg and plants so not sure if it would be still worth it? I've been doing the FODMAP diet and it has helped a little bit but I still suffer with bloating and painful stomach.. I mean I would be super curious to do the testing but obviously it's quite an investment.. which I would do if it's actually worth it. Thanks :)

[@tiffeet3117]

Thank you for this video. It was so so helpful and informative. I would be interested to know if you can do this without the app? T

[@karenrose4739]

This was so very helpful thank you. I’m seriously thinking of signing up but the cost is putting me off right now.

[@lotusflower474]

This was really interesting. I do think I have IBS-D though and am cutting out lots of FODMAPS which would make this hard. And I have a history of reacting badly to probiotics! I don’t know why. I used to make my own kefir and it was delicious but made me so ill. Probiotic tablets made me ill too. So I wouldn’t do this right now but I’d consider it in the future.

[@mariemcleod46]

Sooo interesting ❤

[@bridgettesmith4497]

Loved the video thank you 😊I just joined..I run 30km a week and strength exercises 2 days a week and Zoe don’t consider this on the app which is a shame x

[@sweetelle2196]

Would love to do the Zoe program but its not available in Australia :(

[@Dneshalael]

I just got mine but I don't know how to set it up like how do i get the sign in

[@CaliberDawn]

The gut test is definitely the most interesting! Have u been tested for SIBO?

[@theshabbychicken1156]

Were the recipes from the app?

[@elliejtate]

Really helpful and informative. Great to see such a balanced review! As you said, shame they dont allow for entering intolerances/gut issues though!

[@koritsi56]

I’ve just started it and the food challenges are already different

[@Filmgirlphilosopher]

Oh wow so cool! I wonder if it’s available in the US?

[@suedinym1]

Yes. If you look for the website you can get more details but they also have a KZbin channel. I got mine with a discount they were promoting there.

[@jacquelinenoel625]

I’m curious if they show or tell you how to fix your gut once you get your results. I know something is wrong with mine but I don’t know if once I do this that I will know how to fix it.

[@bearclaire]

To log food correctly yiu should use a food scale to get the right amount of grams.. and tracks it like that

[@MaliYojez]

That price is disappointing. After watching some non-Zoe content with Tim Spector, I was expecting the test price to be reasonable, for it to be almost a public service, and it turns out that’s not the only cost! The truth is pretty shocking.

[@nesanesa9547]

How much is the program?

[@susydyson1750]

eggs much healthier than porridge . never hear much on lentils or beans which should be accompanied by rice. it's he fun following this from Peru !

[@logik99]

Seems silly that there isn’t a retest to check improvements- after how thorough the initial findings round is, to then leave improvements to finger in the air how do you feel lol. Otherwise seems like it could be useful. Thanks for the thorough video

[@suedinym1]

There is some kind of retest you can can do after about 4 months or so, but I don't know the details yet.

[@Osmosis909]

I’m struggling to see the value in this. There is a lot of focus on blood sugar readings and noting the affect different foods have. Your body is reacting normally to the ingestion of food and the type of carbohydrate in that food. White bread for example will break down quicker and give you more of a spike than brown bread which is more complex and takes longer to break down. Less carbs = less of a spike. Why would a normal healthy person be really concerned about monitoring their blood sugar via a paid service like this? What benefit does this give them that they would not get from a quick session with a nutritionist and some research on the glycemic index? I’m sorry but a lot of what you are talking about is basic food education and knowledge and I don’t know why you would pay for this.

[@martenebennett8265]

Hi, I really can’t afford the 12 month subscription but was thinking of paying for the 1 month subscription. Do you think 1 month is enough to get the information I need? I know I won’t have the app for long but was hoping it’s enough to learn everything and get the test results then stick to it myself?

[@katesnooks]

I didn’t realise you could do a 1 month subscription! I think they catch you out because you don’t get your results until 1 month has finished so technically the app will be a bit useless until your results are in!

[@martenebennett8265]

@@katesnooks 🤔 that’s annoying 😠. I might contact them and see what they say. Thank you so much for your advice and thanks for the review it was very helpful ☺️

[@angelikaparrish9569]

@@martenebennett8265your subscription won’t start until after you get your results and then start the program. I don’t think a month is enough time though. I’m doing 4! I think you need more time to see how your body reacts to certain foods, etc. best of luck!!

[@LDYVIP]

💖✨💖✨💖Much appreciated

[@bblexou3289]

❤ bonne année !

[@Lazyormy]

Great vid, but kinda chill.

[@sohabati]

I’ve just logged onto app to delay start date as I can’t download the barcode that is on the delivery box. Hmm. Not a great start. This is all looking a bit too techie for me. Not started yet but already having regrets

[@katesnooks]

I had this problem too. Their customer support helped but I worked out the problem was that my phone hadn’t given the app access to the camera to snap the barcode. You can change access permission for apps in phone settings xx

[@twohundredandthree]

Interesting to see what the Zoe test is like! Iron deficiency negatively effects gut bacteria and digestion- perhaps that’s part of why you had a low score

[@jasonhawen3272]

Hidden cost for the app doesn't look good.

[@marklola12]

Zero point me doing it, 1 ....its unaffordable and 2.... Loads of foods i do not like for instance 90% of what you show in the video lol