I have a high blood sugar level and could be in the early stages of diabetes. My
Doctor has told me to not eat sugar for one month.I am underweight, normal would be 108 lbs and I am now down to 100lbs. How can I gain weight on a sugar free diet? — Diane R.
Hi, I wanted to try the green tea supplement, but I hesitate. Is it safe if I only have to drop
5lbs on my stomach? I’m also on various drugs including 13 pills a day for Parkinson disease. Thanks, Kay
Dear Kay,
I can appreciate your hesitation. There is no telling whether this
supplement is “safe” or not since they aren’t regulated by the FDA. Especially
considering your other medications, there is certainly the potential for
dangerous interactions. Plus, there are not any supplements proven to make you
lose weight–you simply have to move more and eat less to safely lose weight
over time! Good luck,
Laurie
In the haste to give up calories in order to lose weight, many dieters lose sight of what they should be eating for the nutritional value. All too often people are quick to skip breakfast or deny themselves a piece of fruit in order to save a few calories. Later on, however, they manage to justify a glass of wine or some diet ice cream “just this once” and “since I’ve been so good today”! Here are a few points to help you manage your calorie level and your nutrition at the same time.
My husband is trying to lose weight. He weighs 289 lbs and is trying to run. What is the best way to lose some weight without running? Theresa J.
Dear Theresa,
Good for your husband, trying to lose weight! Running is helpful because you can burn calories faster than walking–you expend more energy, sweat more, and lose weight more quickly. But nothing says you have to run. There are many activities that burn lots of calories, and if running increases your risk of injury (or you aren’t healthy enough for your heart and lungs to keep up with the oxygen demands) then running is not a good idea.
If you are like many people across the world, you are planning a New Year’s resolution to begin in just a few days. And if you are like thousands of others, it probably has something to do with weight loss. And, if you’re like most of them, you’ve probably done this before, and at some point a few weeks into the year you’ve given up in hopeless frustration. Why is it so hard to stick with our plan to lose weight? One reason might, of course, be the plan itself. Another reason to consider–maybe it wasn’t so important for you to lose weight.
I am wondering how a person can lose weight and keep it off! I weigh 150 pounds and I want to be 125 pounds. Its hard for me to lose weight because I am on the pill too! I am wondering if you could please help me because I am not happy with myself! Thanks–Andrea P.
Dear Andrea,
Well, of course that’s the thousand dollar question everyone wants the answer for: “How can I lose weight?”
I’m only 28 years old and just found out that I have Huntington’s Disease, which is a fatal disease. This degenerative disease destroys my brain cells. I know that my best shot to live as long as possible is to gain weight. Currently I am significantly underweight. I am 5’ and weigh only 84 lbs. I can eat and eat but gain nothing. I’ve wanted to gain weight in a healthy way but at this point am deseperate to gain any type of weight at all. I’ve began to wonder if I should start adding protein powders/shakes to my diet. Could you please share any advice you may have? Thank You, Jennifer
I have a problem with my tummy and sides. I weigh 216 pounds at 5’71/2″. I have started to do push ups and sit ups and run for 15 minutes day 3 times a week in the morning. Will this help me lose weight or help form six-pack abs? I am also trying to eat less. Is consuming fruit when I feel hungry a good strategy? –Lawrence
Dear Larence,
I have been vegan for 16 days and I am having amazing results with weight loss and energy, but I am also experiencing a drastic reduction of cellulite on my thighs. I wanted to know if this is possible from going on a vegan diet. I have increased the amount of water that I drink also. JoAnn R.
Dear JoAnn,
For whatever reason you’ve decided to go vegan, it’s likely you are experiencing a drastic reduction in calorie and fat intake by avoiding meat, dairy, and eggs–and all the foods that contain these products. What’s working for your weight loss is probably that reduction in calories.
I started following the cookie diet this week. I’m 5’9 and weigh 228, but I run 5K 5 times a week.
My question is how long can a person stay on this diet. Is there a time when I should get off because my health should be in danger? I need to mention that I’m on cholesterol pills and the cholesterol is in check.
Thanks … Regards … Vince
Dear Vince,
Question: Hello, I have PCOS.I really don’t know how to count calories and I’m really not sure what meals I’m supposed to eat. I have tried a lot of different ideas but none of them seem to work for me I can’t seem to get the weight off. I’m a really picky eater. My question is what do you suggest I do? –Iris W.
Dear Iris,
There is some evidence that women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome have an increased rate of heart disease and diabetes. Insulin resistance is not uncommon, and about 50% of women with PCOS are overweight, although it is not clear why. The recommended diet for PCOS is usually low in simple sugars, moderate in complex carbohydrates, and moderate in fat and cholesterol.
I would like to know your views, please, on Sensa! I am 5’1″ and weigh 129. I am looking a Fat Loss 4 Idiots, the Nuphedrine, or Sensa, but would like your opinion. I work at a desk and then go to take care of my mother. I should be walking more, and am not happy about this weight…thanks for your assistance. –Terri B.
Dear Terri,
Can you advise how many calories there are in one gram of simple carbohydrates and in one gram of complex carbohydrates? Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards, Sue E.
Dear Sue,
There are 4 calories per gram of carbohydrates, whether it’s complex like potatoes, or simple like fruit sugar. This doesn’t mean each gram of a potato or an apple has 4 calories, because much of the weight of fruits and vegetables is composed of water.
I always encourage people to become a bit more adventurous with their diet, just to keep things interesting. What I mean by that is, try new fruits and vegetables you haven’t had: An aprilum (cross between an apricot and a plum) or spaghetti squash; a new brand of yogurt or a whole grain pasta.
Most people think of a diet as a food regimen followed for weight loss. But there are millions of people who must follow special dietary restrictions for their health. Sometimes this is referred to as “Medical Nutrition Therapy”. It’s used to control blood sugars in people who have diabetes, blood pressure in people with hypertension, and allergic reactions to people with gluten intolerance and other food-triggered reactions, among other conditions. People with kidney problems, heart problems and clogged arteries must follow certain dietary guidelines to extend their life. Intestinal illnesses may require either high- or low-fiber diets and still others may require a high- or low-fat dietary intake.
photo credit: Mark Heard
With all the discussion about forcing food manufacturers to lower their sodium content, many people are left wondering what the right amount of dietary sodium is. If you’ve read the food labels on packages lately, you may have noticed that many foods contain hundreds of mg of sodium and others may even contain over 1000 mg. How much is too much?
The answer, according to the 2005 dietary guidelines, was 2300 mg per day (the equivalent to a little over a teaspoon of salt). But the 2010 guidelines are going to suggest 1500 mg as a daily intake, largely to target the significant number of people who have tendencies towards high blood pressure Americans average closer to 4000 mg per day!
One of the questions I am most often asked is how to lose weight quickly. When someone has a special event coming up, they suddenly realize they would rather weigh 20 pounds or so less in order to fit into a certain outfit, or just to look more fit for the people they will be mingling with. Then, the race is on! How can I lose all this weight in a week or so?
With so many diets advertising quick weight loss and boasting to burn off the most fat, how can you tell which one will really work? Here are ten top warning signs that the latest fad diet really is too good to be true!
1. Weight loss is guaranteed! Nutrition is never an exact science, so no one diet can guarantee weight loss for everyone.
We hear the word “calorie” used all the time when we discuss diets. You eat so many calories, burn off a number of calories in exercise, restrict calories to lose weight; but what exactly is a calorie? Technically, it’s a measure of heat, or energy. A calorie (actually a kilocalorie) is the amount of energy required to raise a kilogram of water one degree Celsius. The number of calories provided by a food is determined by using equipment called a bomb calorimeter to burn the food and measure the energy it yields. We obtain our energy from food, and we burn it through activity and daily body functions; or–if we have enough and don’t need any more at the time–we store it as fat. Later, our body cells can access the fat and receive calories from it.
One of the things I miss most when dieting is having dessert. So many desserts provide many hundreds of calories. Just one cup of ice cream or slice of pie can run over 500 calories: Indulging in treats like this can cause a pound of weight gain each week. Fear not! There are some tasty treats than run less than 200 calories–some as low as 100–that are actually good for you as well.
One of the most basic rules for weight loss is “only eat in the kitchen, sitting at the kitchen table”. This limits the amount of food that is consumed between meals or without thinking, because usually snacks are not eaten sitting down at the table. Hundreds of calories can be scarfed down munching on a bag of chips while searching for something in the pantry to make for dinner, or mindlessly popping nuts into your mouth while scanning the newspaper.
For years, researchers have been studying what makes some people eat more than others: What makes some people eat more calories than they need? What makes us feel full? In 1994 scientists discovered a hormone called leptin. This hormone is produced mostly in the fat cells (a small amount is also produced in the stomach) and sends a signal to the brain that says “We’re full now; we can stop eating”.
One of the best ways to diet is to share your calories with a friend! Think of all the foods that have a part you favor: maybe it’s the pizza you love, but not the crust; the icing but not the cake; the clams but not the chowder; the chocolate chips more than the cookie. I know some of you are saying, ‘I love ALL the parts’, but surely there are times you finish a portion you’re just not that into simply because it’s in front of you.
There have been many studies conducted over the past few years to find out if the internet can be a useful tool to aid in dieting. And the results are in: The answer is a resounding, “yes”! There are many types of programs on the world wide web that assist dieters in reaching their goal. Here are a few examples:
