It's easy to get answers about health and nutrition! Just send your question by email to [email protected] and Dr. Harlan will respond to selected questions of general interest. Answers will be posted in the Ask Dr. Gourmet newsletter (sign up now!) and archived in the Ask Dr. Gourmet section of the website.
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, MD, FACP, CCMS | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
As a cancer survivor, can I follow the
same diet as my diabetic husband?
If
I am on Femara, should I avoid soy?
I've been told not to take
estrogen. Should I avoid soy?
Does caffeine increase
the risk of breast cancer?
Are edamame (soy
beans) safe for breast
cancer survivors?
How can I make food that is palatable
for those on chemotherapy?
What are your suggestions for eating during chemotherapy?
If I have had thyroid cancer, should I avoid
iodine in my food?
I've heard that too much edamame (soybeans) is not good for you since it has
estrogen. Is this true?
Are mung beans safe for women with estrogen
receptor positive breast cancer?
Does washing remove the pesticides from foods?
Shouldn't teaching
cooking start in elementary school rather
than college?
Should I avoid eating canned
tuna every day for lunch?
How can diet help my daughter avoid kidney
stones?
How can I feed my vegetarian teen without
making her a separate meal?
Is my vegetarian teen going to get enough
protein and iron?
I've heard that too much Edamame
(soybeans) is not good for you since it has estrogen. Is
this true?
Are those who are allergic to tree
nuts also allergic
to nutmeg?
Can you suggest healthy
lunches for my middle-schooler?
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?
Will rice bran oil really reduce cholesterol, and is it good for you?
My wife has very high triglycerides and we are thinking about having a baby. Suggestions?
Does scrambling eggs oxidize
the cholesterol in them?
Are the coconut
milk products I'm using keeping my cholesterol high?
Can
you lower your cholesterol without exercising?
How Much Cholesterol
in My Daily Diet is Too Much?
Is quark cheese better for my
cholesterol than mozzarella?
Is this email about
butter vs. margarine true or is it an urban myth?
How can I reduce my cholesterol
if I can't
take cholesterol lowering medicine for it?
Where is the cholesterol-lowering diet?
Will eating spicy tuna rolls (sushi) help
lower cholesterol?
Which sushi is OK to eat with high
cholesterol?
Do nuts help prevent
metabolic syndrome?
If CoQ10 with
red yeast rice does
damage to the liver, is there
a safer way to reduce my cholesterol?
Is sushi high
in cholesterol?
What foods will help
raise HDL (good) cholesterol?
Am I eating too
much oatmeal?
When choosing foods to help lower
my LDL, is it better to go by the saturated
fat or the cholesterol number?
What diet will help me increase
my HDL?
What are the best ways to increase
HDL (good cholesterol)?
With my cholesterol problem, should
I avoid all
cheeses?
My husband has had two stents put
in. Can you advise me on a heart-healthy
diet?
I am trying to find out if shrimp
is good while one is trying to reduce cholesterol. Can
you help?
What is HIGH
cholesterol content in a recipe?
What diet should I follow for insulin intolerance?
How can I get enough whole grains in a gluten-free diabetic diet?
Does our body process agave differently than sugar?
Is tilapia (the fish) good for diabetics?
What is the right diet for pancreatitis and diabetes?
What diet should those
with diabetes and high potassium levels follow?
If you have prediabetes
(or are prediabetic) are you really diabetic?
What is the best diet for Metabolic Syndrome?
Why are carbohydrates from whole
wheat flour better than carbohydrates from white flour for diabetics?
Are all Dr. Gourmet recipes really OK for type 2 diabetics?
As a type 2 diabetic, which is better for me: grits or oatmeal?
Which is more important: a food's glycemic index or its fiber?
Does drinking milk
or taking selenium lead to diabetes?
As a cancer survivor, can I follow the
same diet as my diabetic husband?
Will green tea capsules help
me improve my blood sugar levels?
Does Green Tea Extract Help Control Blood Sugars?
Is Parboiled
Rice as Good For You as Brown Rice?
If I can't have white sugars, white breads and white
rice, is honey OK?
Does eating sweets cause diabetes?
I have hypoglycemia and now my blood sugars are going
higher and my eyes are blurry. What should I do?
Where can I get recipes
for my husband, who is overweight and has type 2 diabetes and congestive heart failure?
Is agave nectar better
for diabetics than sugar?
How can I exercise with Charcot or difficulty walking?
Is it true that diabetics
should not eat carbohydrates?
Is lemon
juice as good as vinegar for reducing blood
sugars?
I am lactose intolerant and pre-diabetic. Is Almond
Breeze milk substitute safe for me?
Does cinnamon help control blood sugar levels?
I have gastroparesis. What should I eat?
I need menus for my father who is diabetic and on Coumadin (warfarin).
Should a pre-diabetic eat sweet potatoes
instead of white potatoes?
Is there a connection between
high acid blood levels and high blood glucose levels?
How can
an underweight diabetic gain
weight safely?
How should you eat if you have diabetes
and gout?
Do you have diet
plans for those with Type 2 diabetes?
I am pre-diabetic. Can I eat popcorn
made with oil?
What can you eat if you have gout
and diabetes and are on Coumadin (warfarin)?
How can I help my husband control
his pre-diabetes?
How many carbs should my pre-diabetic husband
eat each day?
What is a healthy
weight for a man with diabetes?
Do you have any diet advice for a recently
diagnosed diabetic?
Will linseed (flaxseed)
oil help with symptoms of Crohn's Disease?
I already eat vegetables and salads for
my diverticulosis. How can I get more fiber?
What are the foods
to avoid for a person with diverticulitis?
Are seeds really a problem for those with diverticulitis?
Will linseed (flaxseed)
oil help with symptoms of Crohn's Disease?
What if I am allergic to fish?
Do kidney beans contain Omega 3
fatty acids?
Are shellfish included in
'eating more fish'?
Will eating spicy tuna rolls (sushi) help
lower cholesterol?
Which sushi is OK to eat with high
cholesterol?
Is there a connection between high acid blood levels and high
blood glucose levels?
What are the benefits/non-benefits of the tilapia
fish?
Is sushi high in cholesterol?
If I don't like fish, how can I
get omega-3 fatty acids?
Is it healthier to avoid all meat?
Is frozen fish as good for you as
fresh fish?
Does sushi fit into a healthy eating
plan?
How much Omega-3 Fatty Acids should
I be getting per day?
If mercury in
fish is linked to Alzheimer's disease, how much fish should I eat?
Should I be concerned about the level of mercury
in the fish I eat?
Should I avoid eating canned
tuna every day for lunch?
Can you eat too much
fish?
Do the Benefits of Eating
Fish and Shellfish Outweigh the Risks of Mercury and Gulf Oil Contamination?
Are Nutri-Grain breakfast bars safe for those with GERD?
Which of your recipes can be pureed?
I have GERD - what
can I eat that won't cause symptoms?
What recipe book or cookbook do you recommend for those
with GERD / Acid Reflux?
What beverages are safe for those with GERD / Acid Reflux?
Can I eat nuts if I have GERD / Barrett's?
Why do 'GERD-safe recipes' sometimes contain foods listed as triggers?
My husband has GERD
and is lactose intolerant. What can he
eat?
Can you exercise if you have GERD / Acid Reflux?
Will apple cider vinegar help my acid reflux while I am on Coumadin (warfarin)?
Can I freeze your GERD-friendly tomato sauce?
Is there a connection between high
acid blood levels and high
blood glucose levels?
Will sushi provoke GERD / Acid Reflux?
Would adding
baking soda to chili to make it GERD-friendly ruin the taste of the chili?
Why do some of
your recipes contain GERD triggers when they're marked 'GERD safe'?
Are there low
acid canned tomato products?
Is there a list of which
foods are safe for GERD and which are not?
Do you have a diet to help me heal
my GERD?
The Six
Bean Soup recipe says that it's safe for those with GERD
/ Acid Reflux, but wouldn't
the onions and garlic both be GERD
triggers?
How can I get enough whole grains in a gluten-free diabetic diet?
Which gluten-free pastas do you think are good?
Is gluten used as a filler in medications?
Is balsamic vinegar gluten-free?
Is wheat gluten truly bad for everyone or is this just another fad?
How can I get more fiber in my gluten-free
diet?
Should I avoid
dairy products if I have
celiac disease?
Would keeping
a food diary be helpful
in diagnosing celiac disease?
Do lactose intolerance
and gluten sensitivity often go together?
Which of your diets would be best
for someone who is gluten-sensitive?
Is seitan safe for those with gout?
Does cooking affect the purine content of foods?
Is tilapia good for those with gout?
If I have gout can I eat Fiber One Cereal?
Can I take cherry
fruit extract while on Coumadin (warfarin)?
Are we eating too many high oxalic acid foods?
Can you clear up
the controversy over what to eat for gout?
How should you eat if you have diabetes
and gout?
How many milligrams of potassium
would be acceptable in a recipe
if you are trying to
bring your potassium
levels down?
Would a vegetarian
diet elevate my
serum uric acid?
What can you eat if you have gout
and diabetes and are on Coumadin (warfarin)?
My husband has gout. What
proteins can he eat?
How can diet help avoid kidney
stones or gout?
Can you please give some good recipes for no butter, no cream, no cheese and no milk.
Will drinking apple cider
vinegar help with my lactose intolerance?
What's
the difference between a milk allergy and lactose intolerance?
I am lactose intolerant and pre-diabetic. Is Almond
Breeze milk substitute safe for me?
Does evaporated milk contain lactose?
Does sherbert
or sorbet contain lactose?
Does cooking
affect lactose content?
Does ghee (clarified
butter) contain lactose?
Is it safe to use a lactase
enzyme supplement more than once a day?
Are there cheeses
that are safe for those who are lactose intolerant?
Are tomatoes safe for those on dialysis?
What could be causing my husband's muscle cramps?
How many milligrams of potassium would be acceptable in a
recipe if you are trying to bring
your potassium levels down?
Do you have a list of potassium
rich foods?
How can I help my husband keep
his potassium levels down?
My wife has very high triglycerides and we are thinking about having a baby. Suggestions?
Should I take a multivitamin
or individual supplements if I am trying to get pregnant?
If my folate level is high, will that be a problem when
I get pregnant?
I'm taking fenugreek
to help with my milk supply but it
doesn't seem to be working. What am I doing wrong?
What vitamins
and minerals should
I be getting during my pregnancy?
How many extra
calories do I need for breastfeeding?
What's a healthy way to lose weight while breastfeeding?
Are tomatoes safe for those on dialysis?
Will drinking more water counteract the high sodium in some foods?
What do you think of Walmart's
plan to reduce sodium in their
foods?
Where does all the sodium
come from in your Hummus recipe for Coumadin patients?
How many milligrams
of sodium should a person on a low-sodium
diet be getting per day?
What could be causing my husband's muscle cramps?
How do you decide if Dr.
Gourmet recipes are 'low sodium'?
If I wash canned
canned beans and vegetables am I washing off some of
the salt?
Isn't chicken a low
sodium food?
Are there ways to adjust
your recipes to make them lower in sodium?
Is cellular salt really
that important?
What can I recommend to my elderly
grandmother to help her manage
her low-sodium diet?
Has our society substituted
the taste of salt for good food?
For those on Coumadin, shouldn't salt
substitutes be avoided because of the high levels of
potassium?
Doesn't sea salt have a higher concentration
of potassium
chloride than regular salt?
Does sea salt have
less sodium in it than regular salt?
Which types of
salts have the least sodium?
Is sushi a low salt
food?
What herbs can I take instead of Brilanta and aspirin?
Should I take a thyroid supplement?
Are there supplements, such as glucosamine, chondroitin or omega-3s,
that help repair cartilage?
Will linseed (flaxseed)
oil help with symptoms of Crohn's Disease?
Can I take cherry
fruit extract while on Coumadin (warfarin)?
Will green tea capsules help
me improve my blood sugar levels?
Does Green Tea
Extract Help Control Blood Sugars?
Should I take a multivitamin
or individual supplements if I am trying to get pregnant?
Is Vitamin Water
Zero a scam?
What do you think of Mangosteen products like Xango?
Will acai berry interact with Tegretol?
Can Juvenon really slow the aging process?
Will apple cider vinegar help my acid reflux while I am on Coumadin (warfarin)?
Will these herbal supplements - Hoodia Gordonii Plus and Acai Berry - act as appetite suppressants?
With a gastrectomy, how can I get
more iron?
Do you know anything about the Chews4Health product?
Does papaya help
to lose weight?
What are the health benefits of chia seeds or acai berries?
If CoQ10 with
red yeast rice does damage to the liver, is there a safer
way to reduce my cholesterol?
Would taking grape seed extract
be
as good as taking Resveratrol?
If I eat flax seeds will I get the same benefits as flax
seed oil?
Is there any medical proof to the claims about pomegranate
juice or cinnamon?
Could taking glucosamine cause
weight gain?
Can I take Fenugreek with
my other medications?
If Iodoral is so
effective, why hasn't my endocrinologist heard of it?
How much protein
should I eat in
a day?
Is there another way for a vegetarian to get protein other than tofu and beans?
Would a vegetarian
diet elevate my serum uric acid?
Is it healthier to avoid
all meat?
How can I feed my vegetarian teen without
making her a separate meal?
Is my vegetarian teen going to get enough
protein and iron?
As a vegetarian who still eats fish, am
I healthier than my friend who eats meat?
What are the pros and cons of being
a vegetarian?
I have several
questions about diet and vegetarianism...
For questions about weight loss or Body Mass Index, see our Weight Loss page.
Is there a specific Mediterranean Diet for rheumatoid arthritis?
Why does my husband have a bitter taste in his mouth?
Should I have the same thing for lunch every day? What?
Does microwaving reduce nutrients in food?
Do nightshade plants, like eggplants, tomatoes, and peppers, cause inflammation?
Will Honeybells (tangelos)
interact with medications like grapefruit does?
What is the right diet for pancreatitis
and diabetes?
What diet is best for those with hemochromatosis?
What is the best diet for Metabolic
Syndrome?
How can I best support my son's recovery from back surgery?
Are there supplements, such as glucosamine, chondroitin or omega-3s, that help
repair cartilage?
What are the best choices at the movie theater?
Since I have a-fib, should
I avoid chocolate since it contains caffeine?
What could be causing my problem with balance?
Do you have recipes for those with dairy, egg and nut allergies?
Is it safe to use aluminum
pans or aluminum foil?
Does washing remove the
pesticides from foods?
How accurate is the nutrition
information for your recipes?
Is all the alcohol cooked
out of your Chicken Piccata recipe?
I
am allergic to nuts, except for peanuts. What can I substitute?
Does cooking in a cast iron skillet raise
the amount of iron in the food?
Is canola oil good
for you or bad for you?
Is this email about
butter vs. margarine true or is it an urban myth?
With his enlarged
prostate, why should my husband avoid caffeinated
coffee?
Are there as many antioxidants
in decaffeinated coffee as there
are in caffeinated coffee?
How many calories should I be eating for breakfast?
What can be causing everything to taste bitter?
I have gastroparesis. What should
I eat?
Is the casein in dairy products causing flare-ups of my psoriasis?
How
much protein should I eat in a day?
Is it okay to put peas
and corn on my salad?
What could be causing my husband's muscle cramps?
Will certain foods affect an irregular
heartbeat or an enlarged prostate?
How can I eat healthier
if I only
like a few vegetables?
Does cooking vegetables cause
them to lose their nutrients?
Why does the Chicken and Corn
Salad recipe have so
much fat in it?
Is there a connection between high
acid blood levels and high
blood glucose levels?
Doesn't your Pork Chops with
Garlic Sauce recipe have too much fat in it to be healthy?
With a gastrectomy, how
can I get more iron?
Do nuts help prevent
metabolic syndrome?
What evidence can I use to convince
someone that their diet is contributing to their health
problems?
How can I cook these mushrooms
so they are safe to eat?
Should fruit only be eaten
on an empty stomach?
Where can I get information on
the amount of tyramine in foods?
If I don't eat seafood, how often
should I be eating chicken?
Where can I go to get my percentage
of body fat measuredand compared to my muscle mass?
Are meats such as goat, venison
or buffalo good
substitutes for beef?
Is ground turkey
better for you than
ground beef?
Do you have suggestions for eating
healthy for a busy lifestyle?
Is our food less
nutritious today than it was years ago?
What foods can cause or prevent migraines?
I am allergic to MSG. Why do you
allow ads for products that
contain MSG?
Should I avoid High Fructose
Corn Syrup?
What does Waist to
Hip Ratio have to do with Body Mass Index?
I have Hepatitis
C. Is the Mediterranean Diet good for my liver?
Am I eating too
much oatmeal?
How many fat
grams should a woman consume in a day?
How much saturated
fat is healthy?
Is a 'raw diet' healthy?
Should I avoid eating canned
tuna every day for lunch?
What do you think of Lipton's diet
green or white flavored teas?
I've heard that you should avoid
shrimp because they are "bottom feeders." Is
that true?
Is Body Mass Index accurate
for everyone?
Is drinking grape
juice as good for you as red wine?
Does grapefruit really
interact with medications?
Does using aluminum foil or aluminum
pans cause Alzheimer's
Disease?
Is corn not as good for
you as other whole grains?
Does tea have as
much antioxidants as vegetables?
Would baking soda also neutralize
the acid in chili?
What is BUN and should I be concerned
that mine is elevated?
Are those who are allergic to tree
nuts also allergic
to nutmeg?
What foods are high
in iron?
Do you have information on the amount
of tyramine in foods for those on MAO inhibitors (certain
antidepressants)?
How can a nutrition label say NO
trans fats, NO saturated fats, and
NO cholesterol, when it contains hydrogenated
oils?
Should I avoid all corn
syrup?
Is drinking diet soda the
same as drinking water?
Should my wife and I do a colon
cleansing program?
I'm on a low fat diet after my heart
attack and now
I'm underweight. How can I gain?
What are your thoughts on the Mediterranean
diet?
Can I substitute vitamins
for vegetables in my diet?
What do we need for a healthy
diet?
How many calories can a lumberjack
eat in a day?
Is that plaque?
Can you suggest healthy
lunches for my middle-schooler?
Some people with secondary and primary
lymphedema feel that low carb diets make them feel better
with their disease. What
do you think?