Dr. Gourmet Newsletter:
February 19, 2007

Dr. Tim Says...

The low carbohydrate craze is no longer at full boil, but I still have those patients who come in and talk about being on a low-carb diet. While the plans for most such diets are pretty silly, most folks do need to cut back on calories. In general, the western diet is now largely built around the carbohydrate, and those carbs, unfortunately, have often been soaked in fat and coated with salt.

Like all foods, however, carbohydrates are actually good for you. Choosing what types of carbs and how many you eat is the key. Carb basics

Featured Recipe: Orange Almond Muffins

Orange and almond are made for each other. Using half of the almonds inside the muffin adds a wonderful chewy texture. On top they add both a nutty flavor and a crispiness. Orange Almond Muffins

Ask Dr. Gourmet

My wife and I have been following eatTHISdiet for a few months now and love it. Now we are considering doing a detoxification/colon cleansing program. Do you have any recommendations regarding the many herbal products available? Are they safe? Could we get the same effect by just going vegetarian and boosting our fiber intake? Any advice you can provide is appreciated.

Dr. Gourmet Says...

The concept of detoxification and cleansing has no basis in science and would never be recommended. There is no reason to pursue such a strategy. Many of the herbal products on the market are poorly tested and there's very little government oversight of them. I would avoid such procedures.

You are doing the right thing already. Eating healthy by taking processed foods out of your diet. Getting back into the kitchen with a diet that's rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, olive or grapeseed oil, fish, lean meats and whole grains is the way to be healthy. You are right about increasing the fiber in your diet being of great benefit. The best ways are to replace white flour products with whole wheat flour, use brown rice, eat more legumes (beans, peanuts, soybeans), choose sweet potatoes and get more high fiber veggies and greens.