Q. I have been following Suzanne Somers diet (which was originally written by a French
man many years ago) and it has really worked. Since it's a very healthy and natural way of
eating, I am happy with the results (lost 7 pounds in 3 weeks). However, I would like to
know if it's true what she preaches: don't mix carbs with proteins or fats. Wait three
hours between mixing a protein/fat based meal with a carbs/veggie meals. And avoid all
sugar, white flour, white rice and white pasta; only eat 100% whole wheat pasta; brown
rice, etc. Do these ideas have a medical basis? Thanks.
A. There is very little scientific basis
for food-combining theory, per se, but many of the things you mentioned make a lot of
sense, nutritionally speaking.
For example: Avoiding white flour, sugar, etc. means to eat fewer processed foods, and
to eat more whole foods such as fruits and vegetables. And that is good advice.
Keeping meals simple is also good advice. Without question, eating 1 or 2 foods at one
time -- protein and vegetables, or fruit by itself -- is much easier to digest than a
7-course meal from soup to nuts. It is also less fattening. We were designed to be
nibblers, not gorgers. Small frequent meals is the right way to go.
Having said that... nothing bad will happen if we consume a spoonful of brown rice with
a few ounces of chicken at the same time. But few of us are very good at portion control,
so it is often easier to eat one or the other in order to control our total caloric
intake. (Good luck with your weight loss program!)
Q. My father has
extremely high cholesterol and my mother has high blood
pressure. I'm a little confused on the cholesterol issue. I know that you shouldn't eat
eggs very often but when I am buying food what numbers should I be looking for in terms of
fat and cholesterol.
A. First, forget the word
cholesterol altogether. Focus on fat, especially hydrogenated fats, and foods
which are deep-fat fried (i.e. fried chicken, French fries, etc.) And pay attention to
refined carbohydrate consumption. In some people it is an excess of refined starches and
sugars that will make cholesterol go up. Eggs, by the way, are highly nutritious,
and they've gotten a bad rap for no good reason.
Cholesterol consumption has very little impact on blood cholesterol levels.
Saturated fat does. Carbohydrate does. Fiber does. (Soluble fiber helps to
lower cholesterol.) Omega-3 Fatty Acids -- found in fish and nuts like
walnuts -- can also help to lower cholesterol.
Re packaged foods... In general, avoid them all. Eat fresh produce and unprocessed
foods as much as possible. If you must buy a packaged item, avoid the saturated fat and if
the package contains "hydrogenated" fat, don't buy it.
Re blood pressure: The treatment should deal with the underlying cause, but in general,
high blood pressure needs more magnesium and potassium, plus stress management techniques.
If excess weight is contributing to the high blood pressure it should be dealt
with.
Q. I am
interested in becoming a nutritionist/dietitian and
I would like to know what kind of schooling you have to go through, and what degrees you
need.
A. The kind of
schooling you will need, and the degrees required, will depend on the kind of work you
want to do. Nutritionists can work in a variety of settings doing a wide range of
different kinds of work.
The foundation of a career in nutrition is a bachelor’s degree with a major in
science. Required courses include: anatomy, physiology, physics, biology, organic
chemistry, biochemistry, food science, sociology, and psychology.
To do counseling or teaching you would need an advanced degree
- (masters or doctorate) - plus you would need to be certified by a
credentialing organization – such as the certification board for nutrition
specialists - and you would need
to be licensed by the state education department in the state in which you live.
Q. How do I find a good nutritionist? And how will I know a good
nutritionist if I see one? Can someone really figure out what kinds of food I need and how
much?
A. One of the best
ways to find a good nutritionist – or any other health professional – is word of
mouth. Talk to friends and other health professionals and ask for recommendations. Be
prepared to interview prospects until you find the right person for you.
Keep in mind that nutritionists – like physicians
- can have many different specialties and different skills.
Food for thought: Do you need someone to help you with menu planning? Or, do you need a
therapeutic nutritionist to help you recover from an ailment? Or, do you need a behavior
therapist to help you make some dietary changes? If you want to change behavior, look for
a nutritionist who specializes in behavior therapy.
Yes, it is possible to figure out what foods you need to eat. How much you need to eat
can be determined by observing what you are currently doing, and the results. (Weight
gain, weight loss, fatigue, etc.)
Q. I have a problem feeling
bloated. What causes this?
A. There are a number
of problems that could cause you to feel bloated. Let me list a few.
