Heart Disease

Which brand of margarine is best? I cannot recommend a specific brand to you. However, look for a margarine with a liquid oil as the first ingredient on the food label. Oils that are high in polyunsaturated fat are safflower, sunflower, soybean, corn, and cottonseed. Polyunsaturated fats help lower blood cholesterol levels. The margarine will...

I had followed the HELP diet on this site several years ago for over a year and it had helped me to successfully lose 75 pounds!!!! I want to do it again, as the weight has been slowly creeping back up over the last few years. I did have one question, however, on some of...

I am a daily coffee drinker but am wanting to replace that energy with something healthier. What are some foods I can add to my breakfast to give me energy for the day? Or what foods should I stay away from or add to my daily diet in order to feel more energized? Caffeine makes your...

In regards to adding strength training; I went from lots of aerobic exercises to a period of just lifting weights. I added about 20 pounds (155 pounds through high school and college) to about 175 pounds. Then for a period of about 3 years, I didn't do much, and my weight went to 195...

I just read some of the diet and exercise advice you give over the Internet and thought maybe you could help me with my question. I've been making a concerted effort to better my eating habits and lose weight. My diet generally averages no more or less than 20 fat grams a day. I...

What do excessive amounts of salt do to the body? It would depend on how much excess salt (or salty foods) you ate in how much time and how well your kidneys functioned. Salt is a compound containing 2 minerals, sodium, and chloride and it attracts water. When the salt content of your blood goes up,...

I would appreciate your advice on the following matter. Since I began my weight loss program five weeks ago, I have been consuming 1200 calories a day. I exercise for about 10 minutes daily on a cardio-glide machine. My problem is my fat intake. I think I'm taking in too few fat grams. The foods...

The purpose of your service is great. Accurate nutritional information to the consumer is a must. I stumbled on your information concerning fatty acids and found some errors that I would like to clarify just for your information. Your answer included the statement that "the human body can make linolenic and arachidonic from linoleic....

Where can I find a dietitian who works with people who have high triglycerides? The Medical Nutrition and Nutrition Entrepreneurs dietetic practice groups of the American Dietetic Association provide medical nutrition therapy based on your diagnosis. They can take your food history and make recommendations to lower your triglycerides. Dietitians often have their own private...

My husband is on a low salt diet for high blood pressure. He tells me his food tastes blah. Recently, he has been sprinkling soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce on his meat. Is it all right to use them on his diet? No, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce are both too high in sodium and...