Nutrition and healthy eating

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• March 5, 2008 5:21 p.m.

  Dear T.Smith I think you will be interested to listen to the attached podcast about high fructose corn syrup. http://www.proxar.com/podcasts/HealthReport_TheObesityEpidemic.mp3

  - Mei

• March 5, 2008 12:33 p.m.

  After a good long and brisk walk, I am starving. Any tips on how not to overeat at this time?

  - Debora

• March 5, 2008 11:56 a.m.

  I have been a food label reader for many years--way before the "nutrition" labels. I am just appalled that many foods which boast that they are "low-fat" have an obscenely high sodium level! Many people who need to be on a "low fat" diet probably need to also be on a "low sodium" diet as well. This makes it so much more difficult for people to pick and choose good foods to eat. Something needs to be done by either the FDA or individual food manufacturers. What it is, I am not sure but sodium contents need to be decreased from many foods.

  - Marie D.

• March 5, 2008 10:59 a.m.

  to Cindy Thank you, I will look for it tonight.

  - Liz

• March 5, 2008 10:10 a.m.

  to Liz there is something out called True Lemon, True Lime and True Orange it has no suger just flavor from the fruit I find it in the isle with spices and baking supplies at the grocery stores.

  - cindy

• March 5, 2008 8:41 a.m.

  I'm interested in the relationship of weight loss and the mind, eg, how it affects our self esteem, why in the world i'm thin but i see a fat woman in the mirror... I'd love to read about stuff like that as well as tips for better weight managament. THANKS!

  - Cintia

• March 5, 2008 7:30 a.m.

  I like flavoured water but I don't want the artifical flavours and sugar subsitutes that are put in the water. Is there an all natural product available?

  - Liz

• March 5, 2008 7:18 a.m.

  I am struggling with how much insulin as I am on Prednisone and can't seem to control it. I take Lantus in the morning along with Novolog x 3 any help would be appreciated

  - veronica

• March 5, 2008 7:07 a.m.

  looking at 50# to lose. sugar is addicting and so pastries, cookies, ice cream are out. no cheese or fruit juices and write everything down and it seems to work. have lost 15 so far. eating breakfast utmost in weight loss. protein important to burn fat....but it's the hormonal/emotional factors that lend to overeating. at least now I'm overeating fruits and veggies & exercising for the mindset(family says I'm nicer) but will it always be a struggle????my sister says that if they didn't eat it 200 years ago, we shouldn't eat it now!?!?love your recipes and health help. thanx!!!

  - tracy

• March 5, 2008 5:45 a.m.

  How much does brain chemistry have to do with trying to break bad eating habits, specifically carb/sugar cravings?

  - marps

• March 5, 2008 3:37 a.m.

  I' nutritionist too and ? think mayoclinic is a very useful website. Actual subjects about nutrition and fitness functional and easy. Congratulations and thank you.

  - Özge

• March 4, 2008 10:00 p.m.

  I went into Mayo Clinic the first of the year and have been using Mayo Clinic healthy weaight pyramid tool. I find that it works it is so basic, fruits, veggies less fats and sweets. Of course, exercise. I found the site recipezaar.com. On that I can put in low fat for a recipe or low sugar and come up with many different ideas for a healthy meal. They break all recipes down. It has been a help. The treadmill is my exercise method with a television which has a player for movies. I try to do 30minutes 3 times a week. I started out doing 10 minutes in January and I am now up to 30 minutes.. I only weigh the first of every month. I am down 7 pounds since I started. I am motivated to stay with this . I have not put a weight I want to lose but I am interested to see where I am in June.

  - sandy

• March 4, 2008 9:40 p.m.

  My story of a diet change 10 years ago. I researched a low fat diet and I chose a raw fruit and vegetables, no meat(beef or chicken), no suger, no caffeine, no white bread or rice, and no alcohol diet. This diet allowed me to stay off Cholesterol and blood pressure meds. I have found this diet promoted in many different circles by doctors and nutritionists. However, these are not typically mainstream professionals because they have had to step out of their former roles to be heard. One of the best books supporting this diet is The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, PhD. There are a few things one needs to know to be nutritionally complete on this diet.

  - Phil

• March 4, 2008 8:04 p.m.

  I am over-weight and trying everything to lose weight.i need to lose about 70 lbs.I work out with a trainer and watch what I eat but not having much luck with losing the weight.I have knee problems,herniated disks and high blood pressure.HELP

  - joy

• March 4, 2008 6:39 p.m.

  I have been eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains as well as beans and some low fat poultry fish and dairy. I added "Green Smoothies" to my diet about 4 months ago and noticed the IBS symptoms have almost disappeared, HDL went up, tryglicerides went down but the LDL went from 160 (while on the South Beach Diet) to 255 now. My current diet does add a lot of fruit (carbohydrates). Is this likely to be the cause of such a jump in LDL? I have been reading about the Raw food diet and am considering moving in that direction. It isn't something I could do overnight. Any thoughts on the raw food diet?

  - Diane Breese

• March 4, 2008 6:36 p.m.

  15 Nonths ago I was diagnosed as having diabetes2 and this past week spent a week in hospital with the final diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Is there a diet which will combine the needs of both diagnosis AND weight loss?

  - Bernice

• March 4, 2008 6:25 p.m.

  For about 10 years my cholesterol numbers have been high normal. My MD and Cardiologist have always said "watch your diet". I interpreted that to mean eliminate fatty foods, which I did. Unfortunately, that was not what the MD's meant. After a calcium heart scan, I have been focused on lowering my cholesterol and have been using Web MD sites to help. I sure do wish I had more knowledge 10 years ago and had a better understanding of "watch your diet". I wish to suggest that anyone who has been told to "watch your diet" do some on-line investigation of soluble fiber, beans, fruits, whole grains, fish oil supplements and flax seeds. If I had ANY idea of what my MD meant, I wouldn't have an over 50% blockage of a cardiac artery. My MD was shocked as was I since I have not had "high" cholesterol or "high LDL" and HAVE had quite high HDL. I recommend that anyone who is concerned have the cardiac calcium scan. A quick test to help yo

  - DeeDee

• March 4, 2008 6:15 p.m.

  I have eaten anything and everything I want all my life. That was fine when I was healthy and active, but since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and put on various meds at different times (in combination with sleeping through depressive episodes), I more than doubled my weight. Last winter, my depression and anxiety peaked and I stopped eating altogether for several weeks. I eat about 500 calories a day now, but it's an effort to find something nutritious that I can force down. What happened to my carb cravings and insatiable appetite? I lost about a pound a day for several months and am now hovering around 200 lbs., mostly because my metabolism has shut down. I understand all the physical aspects of eating so little, but I am interested in help with addressing the emotional/mental side. I do see a therapist, nutritionist, and psychiatric nurse practitioner, all on a regular basis, but progress is slow to non-existent.

  - Martha

• March 4, 2008 6:10 p.m.

  With all the books, magazine and newspaper articles, radio and TV programs claiming to tell us "the truth" about our food supply, vitamin/mineral supplements, etc., how can we find out what the truth really is? I try to read up on nutrition, but it seems that every source of information will sooner or later contradict itself. How do we know who and what to believe?

  - Donna (from Ohio)

• March 4, 2008 6:07 p.m.

  I'm drinking 4 oz aday of the health drink Mona Vie active. I feel better since and my joints have never felt this good. The main ingredient is the acai berry.

  - A Cook

• March 4, 2008 4:58 p.m.

  Today with are toxic and nutrition lacking .Our food is lacking even if we eat organic .So what to do .Fit for life is a good plan it uses food combining and that seems to make sense. With the food that in general we all eat today there are not the enzymes or minerals ,vitamins that are needed to sustain a healthy life and thus the chain of events befalls us all.i personally have tried to cut out gluten and dairy and that has helped a lot . .

  - Robert white

• March 4, 2008 4:30 p.m.

  I'm struggling with lack of control eating foods that never tempted me in the past. Basically, anything sweet. I have noticed extra weight around my abdomen. I am frustrated because I start each day with a new resolve to regain my self discipline and eat small healthy meals and snacks. I'm worried about the consequences if this out of control behavior continues.

  - Suzanne Howard

• March 4, 2008 3:57 p.m.

  Recently, I awoke during the night with a lot of stomach pain, burning and a pulling-down sensation, as well as upset and irritation in my upper colon area that lasted over 3 days. I had an upper GI because I suspected another ulcer (I've had two in 5 years.) No ulcer. I found out 2 years ago I am gluten sensitive and avoid gluten totally. So I decided to use my VitaMix and start drinking my meals to give my tummy a break. I've been confused by the inconsistency of the pH of foods that are listed on the internet. Is there a scientifically based resource? I thought I needed animal protein to feel okay, but I actually am so happy with mainly almonds, fruits, vegies and a little fish. I'm not doing diary either. I hope to lose 10-15 pounds, not need a nap every day, not have chronic muscle pain, and have more energy!

  - Shelli

• March 4, 2008 2:46 p.m.

  I have just been diagnosed w/Type2 diabetes. I have HBP/controlled with meds, and am overweight. I have been trying to change the way I cook and eat and am finding it very hard after cooking the same way for 30 years. Can you recommend a good cookbook with healthy recipes for low sodium, low sugar? I have lost 8 pounds in 3 weeks and really am making the effort to eat healthy. Eating is a challenge and no fun!

  - Nancy

• March 4, 2008 2:25 p.m.

  HFCS/Acid reflux et al... http://fanaticcook.blogspot.com/2006/07/high-fructose-corn-syrup-hfcs.html

  - Ken Lacy