Good Day Ladies, With a PhD in nutrition and 15+ years of experience as a registered dietitian perhaps together we can transform women's healthcare.
Fire away with any questions you may have about food, diet, holistic wellness, weight management etc.
thanks
Diet Doctor #1

I have been trying to use Stevia, a natural sweetener, in my coffee instead of sugar for the past couple of weeks. It does taste a little different, but it's not bad. Have you used it? What do you think about it? Do you think it is safe?

Saw this story on bbc.com about Rimonabant -- a controversial weight-loss drug that was approved by the Britain's NHS. The drug has apparently been linked to an increased risk of depression and suicide especially among those already taking anti-depressants.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/747178...

The story got me thinking about whether drugs that have death or suicide as a side effect should be approved? If so, does the patient and doctor assume all risks associated with the drug? Should a drug not be approved to protect a few with high risk factors?

My drugstore multivitamin tends to make me slightly nauseated even with food. Has anyone found one they really like?

I have been very sucessful the last three years in losing 103 lbs by diet and excerise but since January 08 I was put on beta blockers and have not been able to lose weight. I am eating the same and excerising the same but nothing. Someone told me that beta blockers effect your metobilism. If that is the case is there anything I can do to raise my metoblism to complete the last 30 lbs I want to lose. My weight lose has nothing to do with being skinny. I am 53 years young and I just want to be healthy. I am 5'6 and currently weigh 193 and was wanting to get to 150 lbs. Any advice?

So we've long heard about the benefits of shopping locally. Now a university has been given the go ahead (and funding) to study whether it's actually healthier. Here's the thought process ...

"By definition, locally farmed food is not going to come from large commercial food companies, so people who eat locally aren’t going to consume as much processed food, which typically contains lots of refined carbohydrates, sugar, fat and preservatives.

For the past few months, I've been hearing and seeing a lot about "MUFAs" - essentially, good, mono-unsaturated fats that can help shrink visceral belly fat. Looking as though a relative of the Michelin tire guy, I thought I'd look into the "Flat Belly Diet" plan.

Now, I'm relatively fit and active. But, my midsection has expanded with age and whatever, and the visceral fat is what concerns me most.

I've noticed a slow, gradual change in my waistline over the past few days, and a more forgiving scale. Now, if I could just keep this downward trend going for another 20 lbs!

Has anyone heard of drinking lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper as a way to jump start metabolism? I've heard many stories about celebrity weight loss on this 'cleansing' program. Guess they stay on it for 10 days and was wondering if anyone had any experience with it? Is it safe? Is it healthy? Does it work?

I was talking to someone recently who said that beer or soda was ok because it was just 'empty calories' and didn't matter as much since there is not a whole lot of fat invloved. However, I know that sugar turns to fat if not immediately used for energy (and who goes for a jog after comsuming a 6-pack?!) so it seems empty calories matter.

But I am still not sure of the real meaning of 'empty'. Does it mean there is no nutrition in them, or that they provide no energy?

Does anyone know much about nutrition and the kinds of fats and calories we should be eating?

Thank you!

My parents use a butter spread that claims to "actively remove cholesterol". I've noticed several types of butter/oil spreads at the grocery store, meant to replace butter or margarine, and are touted as "healthy alternatives".

However, one brand says that it is "clinically proven to actively remove cholesterol". Is this true, and to what degree? Is this butter spread actually healthy (use some every day) or is it just a healthy alternative (no trans-fat like butter).