Nutrition and healthy eating

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• April 27, 2008 4:10 p.m.

  I'm struggling with Chronic and Acute Pancreatitis. I don't find much information about diet and nutrition related to this, except for cutting down on fats and eating smaller meals. Digesting protien has become a problem for me as well as eating raw foods. Any solutions or suggestions will be appreciated!

  - Diana

• April 25, 2008 10:10 a.m.

  Najat-Consider going to a gastroenterologist and ask for blood tests for celiac disease.

  - Christine

• April 23, 2008 11:55 a.m.

  My husband and I are both RNY gastric bypass patients. He's about to undergo revisional sugery with the Jacksonville Mayo very soon. Please include info in your blogs & articles for folks like us who require supplementing our food choices for health... Thanks!! Kim

  - Eric -n- Kim

• April 23, 2008 3:36 a.m.

  I am fifty four years old female and have been trying to lose weight for last one year. My diet consisted of various diet programs such as protien diet, high carb diet, vegetable diet.... however, I have not lost any weight. I am also a patient of severe GR problems. My body always feels heavy and bloded. Could you please assist me to follow certain patern of eating habits which is could help me to lose some weight?. I am always tired and facing difficulty in my professional life.

  - Najat

• April 22, 2008 8:55 p.m.

  I have had a weight problem all my life and go on one diet and lose weight and then gain it back. I think I found the most sensible and effective diet that I have been on. I went to www.mayoclinic.com and then to the BMI and on to the Pyramid diet. It is great....Give it a try! I lost 20 labs in about three months. As I have been ill and I now exercising more in Pulmonary Rehab and I am gaining muscle mass so the weight loss has now diminished. But I am confident that I will start losing again in the near future.

  - Don

• April 3, 2008 3:06 p.m.

  Having been diagnosed w/osteoporisis I've learned I can't tolerate Fosamax, now trying Actonel. I take calcium citrate+D,do Curves & Yoga. Reading about Vit. K2 & how it helps absorb calcium in bones rather than arteries. Any info on K2? Is there any medical field specializing in osteoporosis?

  - Julie

• March 30, 2008 9:16 a.m.

  With all that you see on TV with Nutri Systmes, Jenny Craig and others, I just wonder how many people can afford these so called weight loss programs. I know that when I see a talk show program that a well known personality talks about the weight lost after their pregnancy or how they dropped X amount of pounds by following a strict diet, made for them by a personal chef, a personal fitness trainer, and meditation instruction, I guess if you want to further your career, then you can go on TV and talk about, or maybe write a book about it. I struggle every day with what I should eat. I lost 20 lbs in one year and have kept it off for three years. I dropped two dress sizes. I still need to lose more weight to reach my goal. How can I get where I need to be? I exercise, but I still cannot get the extra weight off. Is there a weight loss information for someone like me?

  - C F

• March 30, 2008 9:16 a.m.

  With all that you see on TV with Nutri Systmes, Jenny Craig and others, I just wonder how many people can afford these so called weight loss programs. I know that when I see a talk show program that a well known personality talks about the weight lost after their pregnancy or how they dropped X amount of pounds by following a strict diet, made for them by a personal chef, a personal fitness trainer, and meditation instruction, I guess if you want to further your career, then you can go on TV and talk about, or maybe write a book about it. I struggle every day with what I should eat. I lost 20 lbs in one year and have kept it off for three years. I dropped two dress sizes. I still need to lose more weight to reach my goal. How can I get where I need to be? I exercise, but I still cannot get the extra weight off. Is there a weight loss information for someone like me?

  - C F

• March 25, 2008 8:24 p.m.

  Does anyone have a diet to recommend that would counteract extreme bloating? What foods do I avoid? What can I eat?

  - J.B.

• March 16, 2008 11:52 a.m.

  i cannot understand why this site is posting information about artifical sweeteners.....it's saying that they're okay despite what is reported in the media. it's not that it causes cancer, it's that it contains ASPARTAME, which when ingested turns into FORMALDAHYDE, you know, the stuff that they use to embalm dead people with? however stevia can't be approved by the food and drug admin.? hmmmm sounds like huge corp.'s that produce equal,and splenda are doing something dirty here????

  - B.W.

• March 13, 2008 12:15 p.m.

  Watching 'Biggest Loser' is a great show - such helpful tips and watching how dieting and eating right can work in losing and controlling weight. The show shows everyone how to begin a healthy lifestyle.

  - Stacey

• March 13, 2008 9:49 a.m.

  For anyone struggling with emotional/ out of control eating, please be informed that you don't have to figure it out alone. I sugget you try Overeaters Anonymous. there ar epeople of all sizes and shapes, and i have ot say, i'm such a satisfied customer of this organization that i do not miss any of the misery associcated with the hell of the cycle of overeating.

  - anonymous

• March 13, 2008 3:29 a.m.

  I think we all struggle with emotional eating at one time or other. I find journaling to be helpful. Think before you eat..instead of picking up that cookie grab a pen and start writing. Do something constructive..call a friend,take a bath, just get away from food for that moment.If possible join a weight support group.

  - Shirley

• March 12, 2008 6:00 p.m.

  I've been wondering about the harmful effects from drinking water from plastic bottles. First, is it true and second, does it include the big plastic bottles on water coolers?

  - Margaret

• March 12, 2008 1:41 p.m.

  MY wife has been purchasing various sea salts exclusively for the last couple of years. I just noticed that all are labeled as not supplying "Iodide". Does an otherwise balanced diet supply enough of this nutrient?

  - Bruce

• March 9, 2008 12:12 p.m.

  Regarding emotional eating, I sometimes have to work at home writing reports, etc. I always seem to resent this and nibble while working to 'reward' myself in order to keep going. Of course the nibbles are either salty or sweet; nothing remotely healthy. I am a lifetime Weight Watchers member and have maintained below my goal weight for the past 3 years. However, my waistline is larger than the maximum considered safe, so abdominal fat is a real problem for me. When I came off the weight loss portion of the WW program, I never mastered the concept of maintaining a healthy weight; I just started eating junk food at night (more reward eating). I think this has contributed to my waist problem. Lately I have been trying to use popcorn (reduced fat version) or fruit to give me something to chew on while working at home. This has helped, but it does not really address the fact that I am eating out of resentment. Thanks for bring up this topic.

  - Diana

• March 8, 2008 4:42 p.m.

  For Brett: have you thought it might be reaction to preservatives, etc., in you medicines? Many years ago my young son could not tolerate any commercial baby food at all and it was the preservatives.

  - ellen s.

• March 8, 2008 10:13 a.m.

  Thank you for this mail every month. Ingrid.

  - Ingrid Frank

• March 7, 2008 6:56 p.m.

  Hello, I have thyroid disease (Graves) and have started a calorie counting diet at the beginning of the month. I heard that eating small frequent meals is the best way for people with thyroid disease to lose weight. Is this true? Has anyonr know of a book that focuses on diet and good food choices for people who have a low functioning thyroid?

  - Jill

• March 6, 2008 10:39 p.m.

  Last year i was diagnosed with the starting of diabetes, i also had high cholesterol. after a series of blood work. my Doctor recommended i go on the "South Beach Diet", well to me i always though that S.B.D. diet was one of those goofie "Hollywood diets, but trusting in my Dr. i got the book, and read it. and i went on it. the first two weeks are a bit limited, but gosh does the weight fall off you !!! i'm 63 years old i've been on almost every diet out there and i have to say this is the first one i've ever lost weight on, and my diabetes is gone, my chlosterol dropped 53 points and i took off 26 pounds in about 3 months. it says on the cover the first thing you loose is your belly, and i have to say that big belly of mine was the first thing to disapear. please get the book and read and follow it . i had so many friends and family, neighbors go on this diet because it's a results showing diet !

  - Colleen

• March 6, 2008 8:22 p.m.

  i have lots of dieting tips that worked for me. Everyone needs to find their own motivations for change though. At the end of any day, you are the one responsible for what goes in your mouth! Keep a sense of humor while attempting to make lifestyle changes as you will need a reason to laugh periodically! Keep in mind: 1.) if it tastes good, stop eating it! 2.) if it's not "green" (meaning "healthy" and good for you) then don't eat it! and 3.) always chew a piece of sugarless mint gum when the temptation clock strikes, as nothing tastes quite right after mint! These basic things, plus an inherited german stubborness, helped me lose half of my total body weight during a 3 year period. And i've kept that weight off for almost another 3 years now. There's no magic pill that will cure you; there's no "diet" that's magically going to shed those excess pounds for you; and exercising has to be included whether you "feel" like it or not. It's

  - Zorro

• March 6, 2008 4:13 p.m.

  I am 67 years old and trying to lose some weight. I am 5ft. 3in. and weight 176 lbs. I Love Taco Bell and eat there three times a week. I have high cholesteral and have started taking medicene for it. I know I should it vegetables and fruit, however I can do fruit but veggies are hard for me. I am in the pool three times a week for a very bad back so exercise is limited for me. Any suggestions?

  - Terry Ann

• March 6, 2008 10:28 a.m.

  I eat a lot of fresh fruit; can the natural sugars prevent weight loss?

  - Susie

• March 5, 2008 6:58 p.m.

  Some of my coworkers were talking about the book - Eat Right for your Blood Type. What is this about? Any science behind it? I'd love to hear more.

  - Chris

• March 5, 2008 5:57 p.m.

  Julie, have you been tested for celiac? Try cutting out glutens (wheat, rye & barley)Also, Native Rose, the caveman diet is recommended to those of us with Celiac disease; meat, fruit, vegetables and nuts. (Keep it plain; no creams or sauces)

  - Kathy