Diet and Nutrition Q&A by Betty Kovacs, MS, RD

All Diet and Nutrition Q&A's:

1. Healthy Eating Slideshow: Fat-Fighting Foods
2. Food Frauds Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the Diet & Nutrition Quiz

• Are there any foods I can eat to improve my memory? Is there really "food for thought"?
• What are potential health problems that can be connected to eating barbecued and smoked meats?
• Is there anything I can eat to improve my sex drive?
• I'm reading a book that says amino acid deficiencies can cause food cravings. Is this true?
• I've heard the phrase "boiling the vitamins out of the vegetables" many times. Does cooking vegetables really destroy the vitamins and nutrients? Is there a limit to how long you should cook your vegetables to retain the necessary vitamins?
• Is it true that women stop absorbing calcium after 25? Is it better to take calcium supplements or simply eat foods that contain calcium?
• Is it absolutely necessary to get rid of vitamins by the expiration date on the bottle? Or is there a certain amount of time that they can be kept after that date? How long after that date are they still effective?
• After watching Oprah on Monday, I bought Bob Greene's The Best Life Diet book. It seems like a really motivational way to change my lifestyle, especially since he includes tons of healthy recipes in the book. As a registered dietician, I was wondering what you thought about Greene's nutritional plans and whether you think his methods are effective.
• What are the characteristics of fat- and water-soluble vitamins?
• I have diverticulosis. Is there anything that I should avoid eating?
• I've heard that not all calcium supplements are the same. Which over-the-counter vitamins or minerals help build bones? Which brands or types are better than others?
• I'm very thin and have a hard time gaining weight. What's the healthy way to gain weight?
• I've heard it's beneficial to include avocados in your diet. What are the benefits of eating avocados, and how much avocado can I eat without overdoing it?
• Is there any link between poor diet and ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease?
• My cholesterol is 210. A couple years ago, I stopped eating meat in an attempt to lower my cholesterol, but that hasn't helped much. Are there any foods that will lower my cholesterol?
• My skin gets very dry in the winter, and my mother-in-law suggested that I take fish oil capsules or flaxseed oil capsules. Will these help my skin? What food should I eat to combat dry skin?
• I have gout. Which foods should I avoid? Which foods are beneficial for people with gout?
• I hear people say dairy is bad and will cause me to gain weight. I've also heard that dairy is really good and will help me lose weight. Which is true?
• I feel like I overdid it this Thanksgiving with food and alcohol. I've gained about four pounds and feel terrible! What's the best way to clean out my system? I've heard of different colon cleansing pills, but are there any natural ways to go about doing it?
• My grandmother has osteoporosis, and I'm worried that I may get it, too. Which foods should I eat to prevent osteoporosis?
• I'm a dialysis patient. Are there any foods that I should avoid? Is there a special diet for people like me?
• I love to drink, but I'm trying to diet. Are there any alcoholic beverages that I can drink without gaining weight?
• Though I read Eat Right 4 Your Type, I was stunned when my acupuncturist said I shouldn't eat dairy, eggs, and wheat, which is what the book recommended for those with type O blood. Is there a link between blood type and diet?
• Does eating later in the day really cause you to gain weight? At what time of the day should I stop eating?
• How can I lower my triglycerides?
• I started taking dietary supplements a couple months ago, but I don't really feel any different. What dietary supplements should I be taking to maintain a healthy lifestyle overall?
• Which foods (if any) increase metabolism?