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Please note that the Ask Dr. Gourmet feature is restricted to questions regarding food and nutrition. Due to the many questions we receive, not all questions may be answered. For more specific questions about your individual health, please contact your doctor. About Timothy S. Harlan, M.D. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

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Weight Loss

Body Mass Index

I'm athletic, but according to the guidelines I am overweight: do I need to lose?
How can I calculate Body Mass Index for an athletic person?
Is Body Mass Index accurate for everyone?
What does Waist to Hip Ratio have to do with Body Mass Index?
Where can I go to get my percentage of body fat measured and compared to my muscle mass?

Diet Myths & Supplements

Is wheat gluten truly bad for everyone or is this just another fad?
Is the Paleo Diet a healthy diet?
What do you think of Dr. Esselstyn's 'Heart Attack Proof' Diet?
Is HCG [human chorionic gonadotropin] safe for those on Coumadin (warfarin) (or anyone)?
Does MSG (monosodium glutamate) cause weight gain?
Is it safe for me to take apple cider vinegar to help me lose weight while I am on Coumadin (warfarin)?
Is it true that I should avoid eating fruit for thirty minutes before or after a meal?
Will these herbal supplements - Hoodia Gordonii Plus and Acai Berry - act as appetite suppressants?
What do you think of the 500 calorie diet with Vitamin B and lipotropics?
Does papaya help to lose weight?
I'm having a hard time losing weight. Is it my age?
What do you think of PGX, the weight loss supplement?
Is a 'raw diet' healthy?
Does having a glass of wine every night affect weight loss?
Which diet is better for you - low carb or the Mediterranean Diet?
Does papaya help with weight loss?
Could taking glucosamine cause weight gain?
Is drinking diet soda the same as drinking water?
Is cutting down on carbohydrates a healthy way to lose weight?
How do genetic factors affect weight?
How important is how often one eats in terms of weight maintenance AND life expectancy?
If I'm trying to lose weight, should I not eat past a certain time?
Is a low-carb diet appropriate for my whole family?

Eating Disorders

Can you lose weight eating and throwing up?
I think I have an eating disorder. How can I avoid damaging my body any further?
Is this an eating disorder?
Does starving or throwing up help you lose weight, and what are the consequences?

Exercise

Does muscle really weigh more than fat?
How can I exercise with Charcot or difficulty walking?
Can you exercise if you have GERD / Acid Reflux?
What is a good breakfast for those dieting and exercising?
I'm exercising and eating right but I'm not losing. Suggestions?
How can I lose weight if I am confined to a wheelchair and can't exercise?

Miscellaneous

What kind of salt should I use for weight loss?
Is there a connection between obesity and sleep disorders?
Does muscle really weigh more than fat?
Should I be getting 3 servings of milk a day if I am over 50?
What more can I do to lose weight faster?
How accurate is the nutrition information for your recipes?
Does MSG (monosodium glutamate) cause weight gain?
How can an underweight diabetic gain weight safely?
What is a healthy weekly weight loss?
I've lost weight on Medifast. How can I avoid gaining weight eating real food?
I can't stay on a diet. How can I lose weight?
How much should a teenaged girl weigh?
Is hummus a good snack?
My husband and I are trying to lose weight. What is the right combination of calories, fats, proteins and carbohydrates for us?
I gained ten pounds while on Zoloft. How can I lose the weight now that I'm off the drug?

Vegetables

Can I eat all the fruits and vegetables I want and still lose weight?
Is it okay to put peas and corn on my salad?
How can I eat healthier if I only like a few vegetables?
Should I eat vegetarian meals more often than I eat meat?