NetWellness Diet and Nutrition

Morton lite salt

Julie Shertzer PhD, RD, LD, CSSD — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:01:00 EST

Question: Can morton lite salt be dangerous if you use too much of it?

Answer: The product is not dangerous for healthy people who use the product in moderation as a part of a low- to moderate-sodium diet (less than 2300 mg sodium/day). Morton� Lite Salt Mixture contains 50% less sodium than regular salt. Although the sodium content is lower, a person can overuse the product. . . .

Ask an Expert: Julie Shertzer PhD, RD, LD, CSSD, Diet and Nutrition

Starvation mode

Lisa Andrews MEd, RD, LD — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:01:00 EST

Question: I am a 42 yr old woman weighing 300 pds. My doctor has recently told me that my body is cycling in starvation mode, that I need to try to eat about 6-8 small meals per day. She has also suggested that I consume some nutrition shakes. I have no appetite and will go anywhere from 3-5 days before I eat . . .

Answer: Thanks for your question. While I cannot give you specific diet advice on the internet, I agree with your physician that you may be cycling into starvation mode by your lack of food intake for 3-5 days.

It is dangerous to do this over time as you may suffer electrolyte abnorm . . .

Ask an Expert: Lisa Andrews MEd, RD, LD, Diet and Nutrition

Ghee good for health?

Julie Shertzer PhD, RD, LD, CSSD — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:01:00 EST

Question: Hi. I have a question. I belong to India. Here in India we give ghee to kids because it is considered to be very good for them especially for their bones. The ghee that we use is purely home made(it`s made with homemade butter) and we add it in almost every food so that kids can have it. But I have . . .

Answer: Saturated fats are the primary fat in ghee. The fat composition is 65% saturated fat, 32% monounsaturated fat, and 3% polyunsaturated fat. An increase in cholesterol levels has been observed in humans with an increase in saturated fat intake. Diets high in saturated fat have been correlated with inc . . .

Ask an Expert: Julie Shertzer PhD, RD, LD, CSSD, Diet and Nutrition

What is a normal amount of calories for lunch

Jane Korsberg MS, RD, LD — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:01:00 EST

Question: There are currently commercials running in which several women gasp in horror at the idea of their "healthy" frozen lunch containing 320 calories. They are reassuringly told that a certain soup only contains 60 calories, and shown happily eating it. Is 60 calories really enough for lunch? . . .

Answer: You are right to be suspicious of these marketing tactics. They are playing upon our society's "fear" of gaining weight and trying to convince you that their food product is the "answer to your prayers." 60 calories is definitely not enough for any complete meal! Consider this, if you require 2000 c . . .

Ask an Expert: Jane Korsberg MS, RD, LD, Diet and Nutrition

Weight increase

Jane Korsberg MS, RD, LD — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:01:00 EST

Question: My age is 29 years wiht hight of 5`-7". I try my best to gain weight but invain. Moreover, my face look not attractive. Please help me in this case also recommend my what type of food i use daily.

Answer: Weight gain, like weight loss, is a slow and gradual process. So my first suggestion is to be patient.

Here are some other things to consider:

Eating more food alone will only cause fat weight gain. In order to gain a healthy balance of lean tissue (muscle) with some fat, it is impo . . .
Ask an Expert: Jane Korsberg MS, RD, LD, Diet and Nutrition

Butter

Julie Shertzer PhD, RD, LD, CSSD — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:01:00 EST

Question: What can I use as a replacement for butter or margarine when making muffins?

Answer: You can use vegetable oils, like canola, soybean, or sunflower oil. Or, you can use a combination of ingredients to create the moisture and lift that butter or margarine provide in muffins. The process of creaming butter with granulated sugar is extremely important to achieving the even-rising, rich . . .

Ask an Expert: Julie Shertzer PhD, RD, LD, CSSD, Diet and Nutrition

What are the possible dangers?

Esa Davis MD, MPH — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:01:00 EST

Question: Hello, I am a pregnant woman and have found myself eating a pumice stone over the last 5 months. It is my second pregnancy and my tummy feels very bloated and taut. Quite bigger than the age of the baby and definitely larger than what I was like in my 1st pregnancy.I have probably gone through one t . . .

Answer: What you are describing is a typical behavior that we see in pregnant women. It is called Pica. Usually if it is a craving for things like starch, clay, ice etc. Basically it is the way the body attempts to increase its iron intake. This is a symptom of iron deficiency anemia. You should see your do . . .

Ask an Expert: Esa Davis MD, MPH, Diet and Nutrition

Egg substitute, egg beaters

Lisa Andrews MEd, RD, LD — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:12:00 EST

Question: are egg beaters a good product,are they good in place of eggs for people with hart troble. i have stents

Answer: Thanks for your question. Egg beaters are simply egg whites with added yellow food coloring to give them more appeal. They are cholesterol free and appropriate for patients with high cholesterol or history of coronary artery disease or cardiovascular disease.

A simple way to p . . .

Ask an Expert: Lisa Andrews MEd, RD, LD, Diet and Nutrition

Eating uncooked oatmeal

Julie Shertzer PhD, RD, LD, CSSD — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:12:00 EST

Question: I have to eat oatmeal for my health but I don,t like it cook, if I were to eat it uncook would I be able to get the same result.

Answer: The nutritional content of oatmeal or availability of these nutrients does not change significantly whether raw or cooked.

Ask an Expert: Julie Shertzer PhD, RD, LD, CSSD, Diet and Nutrition

Sorbitol

Jane Korsberg MS, RD, LD — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:12:00 EST

Question: i am currently trying to quit drinking alcohol... i`m concerned if sorbital contains any form of alcohol in it.

Answer: No need for concern. Although misleading, Sorbitol (one of the "sugar alcohols") is not the same as beverage alcohol (ethanol). The chemical structures are not the same. Sugar alcohols only partially look like sugar and partially like alcohol molecules (resulting in being named a "sugar alcohol"). B . . .

Ask an Expert: Jane Korsberg MS, RD, LD, Diet and Nutrition

Food for Thought: Dietary Tips to Keep Your Brain Alive

Lisa Andrews MEd, RD, LD — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:02:00 EST

NW Article: With the average age of Americans increasing, the risk of Alzheimer's may also go up. In individuals aged 75 to 84, one out of five has Alzheimer's. In those older than 85, the rate is two out of five. And like heart disease, you're stuck with some risk factors like heredity. Fortunately, the . . .

Ask an Expert: Lisa Andrews MEd, RD, LD, Diet and Nutrition

Appetite: An Adversary to Weight Control

Bonnie Brehm PhD, RD — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:12:00 EST

NW Article: With the start of a new year, the topic of conversation at parties, luncheons, and other social events often centers on food, diets, and weight control. How many people will make a New Year's resolution to lose weight? Armed with the knowledge that you should simply eat less and move more, weight co . . .

Ask an Expert: Bonnie Brehm PhD, RD, Diet and Nutrition

Calcium: Essential for All Ages

Bonnie Brehm PhD, RD — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST

NW Article:

Why is calcium important for all age groups?

As children, we heard the message "drink your milk" from our parents, teachers, and others. One reason for this public health message is that dairy products are excellent sources of calcium . . .

Ask an Expert: Bonnie Brehm PhD, RD, Diet and Nutrition

Don't Be Sorry; Keep Picnic Foods Safe

Sharron Coplin MS, RD, LD — Wed, 19 May 2004 00:05:00 EST

NW Article: It's picnic season. The picturesque scene of a family cookout really warms the heart, but it can do damage to the stomach if not carefully planned. It's a good idea to take precautions so we don't make our . . .

Ask an Expert: Sharron Coplin MS, RD, LD, Diet and Nutrition