Food & Fitness Quick Answers

Diet and Health

There is a new program called Meatless Mondays that certain schools around the country are implementing. Do you think this program is a good idea?...

Where can I find out how much of a nutrient is in a food?

Does soy milk have vitamin K in it? And if it does, how much?

I dearly miss yogurt and cream cheese (and more) since becoming lactose intolerant. Can I make yogurt from LactAid milk?

A recent blood test showed I was low on calcium. I drink a lot of milk and eat dairy foods, I don't understand how my calcium could be low. A friend said it was all the diet soda I drink. Can soda really decrease my calcium levels?

I have been diagnosed with diabetes. Where can I find diabetic recipes?

My doctor says I have high cholesterol. What can I do to lower it?

My doctor has placed me on a diet and I don't know where to start. Who can I talk to to get more nutritional advice?

Is it true that skipping breakfast makes people more susceptible to getting colds and flu?

My doctor told me that my cholesterol is too high and to watch my diet. Which foods contain cholesterol?

I have high blood pressure and I need to cut down on the sodium in my diet. Where can I find help?

I have diabetes. Where can I get some basic information, including recipes?

What's the best way to remain germ-free when I wash and dry my hands in a public bathroom?

How can I get information on food allergies?

Are food additives harmful?

I worry about pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables. Is it safe to give my children these foods? Should I buy "organic" produce?

Dietary Guidelines

What are some references I can use to help me choose the correct portion sizes?

Are items sold in vending machines equal to a serving recommended by the Food Guide Pyramid?

Is a Super-Size meal really that bad?

What should I do when I go out to eat and I am given a serving size that is way too big for me?

Does an average person consume more food if they receive a bigger portion?

Can you explain the terms 'whole grain' and 'stone ground'?

Where can I go to find information about the nutritional content of different foods?

What is modified food starch? I have a wheat allergy and don't know if I should avoid foods that have it listed on the label.

Is sugar as bad as they say it is? White poison? Is honey any better?

I hear that fiber is good for me. I'd like to eat more, but I'm not sure where to find it.

I don't like to drink milk. What other foods can I eat to get the calcium I need?

I am confused about the role of fiber in the diet. Why is fiber important?

I've read a lot about "functional foods" lately. What is a "functional food?"

Dieting

I’m a nutrition educator. I’ll be honest, I tried the Atkins diet and it worked for me. Why can’t I say that to someone when they ask about the diet?

I’m someone on a limited budget and I am interested in going on a low carb diet. Could I do that on my budget?

I read that recent studies show that low carb diets help you lose weight. Is that true?

Why are the carbs so high on the Food Guide Pyramid?

Is there a low carb diet you’d recommend?

Could you tell me what are the “good” carbs?

Why is a low carb diet unhealthy for my body?

I always thought carrots were good for me. So, why does my low-carb diet limit how many I can eat?

I am a teacher in a school. So many of the parents of my children are on these low carb diets. Yet when I tell the children that these diets are really bad they get worried about their parents’ health. They are concerned that something bad will happen to their parents. What should I say?

I heard that carbs are “bad.” Is this true?

Everyone I talk to seems to be on the Atkins diet. Could you tell me how it works?

Why don't I lose weight on my diet? Why can't I keep the weight off?

How is fat stored in the body?

I'm trying to lose weight; can you give me some quick and easy tips that will really make a difference?

I'm trying to lose some weight, but want to be successful this time. Can you tell me some "traps" to avoid?

I am going to be spending my vacation on the beach and I'd like to lose a lot of weight, cellulite and inches in about three weeks time. Can you help?

What steps can be taken to prevent or treat obesity?

What are some of the health risks of obesity?

How can I develop a healthier body image?

I'm thinking about trying one of those "on-line" diet programs. Do you have any advice on whether this is an effective approach?

MyPyramid

What is MyPyramid?

What are the shortfalls of the American diet?

What is new about the new pyramid?

How can I get more information about the new pyramid?

What about MYPyramid materials for children?

My children don't like whole wheat bread. How do I get them to eat more whole grains?

How do I know if I am getting whole grains in my diet?

Preservation

(see Food Safety for more qa's on food preservation)

I'm making baby food purees with vegetables and grains, and apples. What are the guidelines to make sure the baby food is safely prepared?

How long can you leave coconut frozen and it still taste fresh?

How do I can my family recipe?

Is there a safe method for canning white or red potatoes with the skin on?

Is it safe or advisable to can fish which has been frozen for a number of months?

How do you can dried beans?

Is it normal for canned tomatoes to have a few inches of liquid in the jars?

I pressure cooked 7 quarts for 25 minutes with 10 pounds of pressure. The tomatoes are firmly packed in the top of the jar and about 2 to 3 inches of water is in the bottom of the jar. What did I do wrong? Can I shake the tomatoes to mix liquid and tomatoes?

In the recipe, Pickled Beets, why must you drain and discard the liquid the beets were cooked in?

How much acid is needed per quart of tomatoes?

How much does one medium tomato yield?

Can dry mustard be substituted for mustard seed when canning pickles? How much is used?

Do you have any info on canning olives in olive oil and red wine vinegar with raw vegetables? This is an old family recipe and we are now trying to market this product. I was just told by "Kerr" people that they do not recommend canning anything with olive oil. We have never had a problem with anyone getting sick, etc. How can we process this correctly?

I made some strawberry jam and it did not gel so I went and checked the expiration date on the box. The expiration date was 2001. Is this jam good to eat?

Why skim the foam off the jam?

My local farmer's market is just starting up. I want to take advantage of the great produce, but I'm curious: how can I best preserve the nutrients in fresh fruits and vegetables?

Exercise

Do the benefits of walking apply when using a walker?

If a 16 year old child lifts weights how long does he or she need to recoup before they play a game? Also is it a good practice to lift during the season of the sport the kid or kids play such as baseball or softball?

While walking, I like to use hand weights. The brochure, Let’s Get Walking, says using hand weights while walking may increase blood pressure and cause joint pain, but my blood pressure is lower, my joints feel better and I feel great. Is this contraindicated?

Isn't the double leg lift a great lower abdominal exercise?

What is cellulite? How do I get rid of the cellulite that is accumulating on the backs of my thighs?

I want to look and feel better, but diets have never worked for me. What are the keys to success?

Do the Ab Roller, the Abdominizer, and the Ab Dolley really work? Will you get ripped abs and a six-pack if you use these devices?

How can I determine my Target Heart Rate Zone?

How do I measure my heart rate at rest and during exercise?

If I am sweating, am I exercising hard enough?

Is running the best form of exercise?

Is lifting lighter weights and doing lots of repetitions the best way to tone up muscles?

What exactly is muscle tone and how can I get toned muscles?

How can I turn my fat into muscle?

Is doing "sit-up's" and other abdominal exercises the best way to lose my beer belly?

What are some ways to prevent heat-related illnesses?

My friends tell me that it is the humidity that causes heat-related illnesses and I say it is the temperature? Which of us is right?

What is heat stroke and how can I prevent it?

What is heat exhaustion and what prevents it?

What are heat cramps and what should I do to prevent them?

What causes the body to overheat when exercising in hot environments?

Snacks

How much will I save on average by switching to healthier snacks?

What should I look for in buying snacks on the go?

How do I get my kids to eat healthier snacks?

How can I eat healthier snacks on a limited budget?

What is a healthy snack?

Is snacking a good idea or is it bad for your health? What if you're trying to lose weight? What are some snacks you'd recommend?

Miscellaneous

Can I take dietary supplements for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus?

How do you read the expiration date, or code dating, on a label?

I am in favor of buying and eating fresh, locally grown and organic foods when it's affordable and available but I live in Missouri. What are the realistic options - canning, freezing, drying foods - during the harvest months and buying non-local food the rest of the time?

Why does my urine have a strange smell after I eat asparagus?

Who has the time for family meals? Are they really important?

Why do I get a headache when I eat ice cream?

I've heard an advertisement for an herbal breast enhancer; could it really work?

I have produced a bbq sauce, and I need to get it tested for a Nutrition Fact sheet for the label. Do you know where I can get this done? What is the process and how much does it cost?

Feeding the Family

My children are so picky about what they will eat. What can I do?

My toddler likes to play with her food instead of eating at the table and then complains later of being hungry. What should I do?

My children want all the junk food they see advertised on television. I know it’s not healthy. What should I do?

The only way I can get my daughter to eat vegetables is to bribe her with dessert. Is this okay?

My father made me clean my plate as I was growing up. Should I insist that my children do the same?

My children only seem to want to eat peanut butter sandwiches and macaroni and cheese. They turn up their noses at anything new. How can I get them to try new foods?

One day my son is constantly hungry. The next he may hardly touch his food. Then he may only want to eat cereal for several days. Should I be concerned?

Do you have any breakfast ideas for my family?

I worry about Halloween and the Candy Monster. Any tips on ways to manage this Holiday?

My child is away at college and I want to send him a care package. Any ideas?

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Last update: Tuesday, June 07, 2011

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