Nutrition

The Paleo diet, also referred to as the "Caveman Diet", encourages dieters to replace dairy and grain products with fresh fruits and vegetables. Any food that our ancestors supposedly ate prior to agriculture a... continue reading  about  Is the Paleo diet really a healthy way to eat?

First off, great job for trying to improve your health and eating healthy! Weight loss is really comes down to calories in and calories out. Eating healthy is a good start but for weight loss, how many calories... continue reading  about  My daughter and I are vegans. We are knowledgeable and eat a very healthy diet. She is about 40 lbs overweight and I need to lose 10 lbs. She has significantly reduced her food quantity, but it's hard to get nutrition and diet at the same time. Any tips?

The short answer to your question is that for healthy kids, melatonin is probably safe and effective in small doses, under the direction of a physician, for two to four weeks. Outside of these conditions, thing... continue reading  about  My sister-in-law's pediatrician recommended melatonin to help her three-year-old go to sleep at night. She says it works well. But how safe can this type of thing be for toddlers?

It may be that your child had a viral intestinal infection that has left her temporarily lactose intolerant. If she is otherwise growing well and has no abdominal pain, flatulence, or diarrhea when on a diet ex... continue reading  about  My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?

Generally it is not recommended to take low-dose iron if you're not anemic. Excessive iron can be deposited in the liver and can cause problems. Runners often get "runners anemia" which is why some coaches reco... continue reading  about  Is it safe to take a low-dose iron supplement if you're not anemic? My teenage daughter is a distance runner, and her coach recommends them for girls on the cross country team.

There's a lot we can do to help prevent osteoporosis, a "weakening" of the bones that can happen over time as we age (osteoporosis literally means "porous bones"). Both exercise and calcium intake can help keep... continue reading  about  I am trying to prevent osteoporosis. What supplements and foods are best?

Many diabetics will eat snacks during the day to keep blood sugar levels balanced, and keep meal portions under control. However, know that having diabetes does not mean that you have to snack, especially if yo... continue reading  about  What are your favorite snack ideas for people with diabetes?

It is perfectly all right to have avocado as part of your diabetic meal plan. Avocado is a monounsaturated fat, and an eighth of an avocado is a serving size. Fat is an essential nutrient that provides energy, ... continue reading  about  I had my gall bladder removed last year. I'm also diabetic. I know I'm supposed to eat low-fat foods. I know avocados contain healthy fat. Should I stay away from them or is it alright to eat them?

It is possible to get enough calcium in your diet without milk products, although it is more difficult. For absorption, calcium relies on other vitamins and minerals, so it is important to eat a balanced nutrit... continue reading  about  How can I get enough calcium when I am lactose intolerant?