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Science Based Nutrition
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general nutrition FAQs
Learn the basics of good nutrition from our Registered Dietitians and diverse Research & Development team.
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Are any dotFIT products gluten-free?
By dotFIT experts
Yes, and here is a complete list.
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Is there something I can take or do to combat sugar cravings? I am taking an anti-inflammatory and an anti-depressant.
By dotFIT experts
on January 22, 2010
Basically craving sweets/sugar is a combination of an innate trait and a learned response for all humans. Innate because sweetness translates in the brain as immediate energy and is therefore important to our evolution/survival.
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How do dotFIT Bars compare to Fiber ONE bars?
By dotFIT experts
on January 22, 2010
The bar appears to be positioned as an aid for weight control based on its fiber content and certainly NOT a pre- or post-workout product.
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I am trying to stay away from pasta; however, when I do eat it when is the best time?
By dotFIT experts
on January 22, 2010
The short answer is you can eat pasta any time and often as you like as long as your average total daily calories from all foods does not exceed the amount of calories you burn since your goal is weight loss.
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What are the daily nutrition guidelines for someone who is 30 years old?
By dotFIT Registered Dietitian
on January 22, 2010
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide nutrition and physical activity recommendations which aim to help individuals maintain health and prevent chronic disease.
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Do you know anything about a drink called “Green PhytoFoods”?
By dotFIT experts
on December 22, 2009
Green PhytoFoods contain blue-green algae (spirulina), Gingko Biloba, antioxidants, and plant-based enzymes. The main compound however is the Spirulina which contains small amounts of protein, vitamins and minerals.
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I’ve seen articles that imply that vitamin and mineral supplements are not beneficial. What are the facts?
By dotFIT experts
on July 20, 2009
First, multiple vitamin and mineral (MVM) supplementation is just that: a supplement to your best possible food diet. Second, MVM supplementation was designed to cure nutritional deficiency disease
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What is the Mediterranean Diet?
By dotFIT experts
on May 08, 2009
There are numerous countries that border the Mediterranean Sea including the northernmost countries of Africa, some of Southern Europe, Turkey and the Aegean islands. The Mediterranean Diet is not one specific diet, but represents a set of dietary choices that is common in this region of the world.
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I've heard that dietary fat is bad for you. Is this true?
By dotFIT experts
on November 04, 2008
Too much of anything can be bad for you. But in the proper amounts, dietary fat makes a contribution to good health. There are essential fatty acids that the body needs for health and normal functioning that must be obtained through diet.
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Do I need to take a multivitamin?
By dotFIT experts
on October 06, 2008
The short answer is yes. Now let's discuss why. You’ve probably heard for years that you do not need to take supplements because you can get everything you need by eating a healthy diet. The biggest obstacle to this approach is that no one consistently eats a healthy diet or can define what a healthy diet is.
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Do excess carbs show up as fat in one area of the body and excess fat in another area?
By dotFIT experts
on November 04, 2008
While it is true that any food (carbs, protein or fat) can be stored as body fat when daily calorie intake exceeds expenditure, where the fat is stored is not determined by the type of food.
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How can I avoid emotional eating?
By dotFIT experts
on October 04, 2008
The first step in controlling and changing emotional eating is to learn the high risk situation(s) that cause you to eat when you are not hungry.
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Are there any health benefits from drinking green tea?
By dotFIT experts
on November 13, 2008
Tea (all varieties) is one of the most consumed beverages in the world and its consumption has been associated with lower incidences of diseases such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.
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What’s the deal with high fructose corn syrup? I’ve read that it’s bad for you.
By dotFIT experts
on November 02, 2008
There is no valid research showing that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is associated health problems or weight gain.
More...
What’s an insulin response?
By dotFIT experts
on November 03, 2008
This is almost a trick question because insulin responds to virtually everything you put in your body. Its role in the body, after all, is to take amino acids, glucose and fatty acids and put them into storage for later use.
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If I don’t have high blood pressure or heart disease, do I still need to watch my sodium levels?
By dotFIT experts
on November 02, 2008
Yes, as the most current pervasive thinking goes, we should all pay attention to our sodium intake and some people more than others. High sodium (salt) intake increases blood pressure and reducing sodium intake decreases it.
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I am supposed to eat 20% fat 20% protein and 60% carbs. When should I eat my carb vs. protein?
By dotFIT experts
on November 01, 2008
Eat them together at each meal if possible – just like everyone else. There is no need to separate your protein and carbohydrates.
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How does sugar affect metabolism?
By dotFIT experts
on November 13, 2008
Sugar has been vilified by the popular press but moderate amounts will not hurt any healthy person. In fact, the right amounts and kinds of “sugar” can be a positive contributor to the training-induced results of athletes and exercisers.
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At what point do you start counting calories for artificial sweetener like Equal or Splenda?
By dotFIT experts
on November 13, 2008
Even if you feel you are using many of these packets a day, every day, the amount needed to sweeten food and beverages is so small it is virtually zero calories.
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How does the body process the calories in alcoholic beverages?
By dotFIT experts
on November 14, 2008
Fats, carbohydrates or protein added to alcohol are processed in the body just as they are when delivered in foods. But alcohol itself is unique in that it cannot be converted to blood sugar, but instead must be processed as a fat in order to be used for energy.
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What affect does coffee have on one's overall nutrition status?
By dotFIT experts
on November 14, 2008
As long as one does not have adverse reactions to coffee or stimulants, coffee may offer more health benefits than most other beverages when consumed in moderation (from one to six 8oz cups per day).
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I am trying to lose weight. Should I limit or avoid carbohydrates?
By dotFIT experts
on November 14, 2008
Some carbohydrates are healthier than others, but ultimately eating more calories than you burn makes you fat, whether those calories come from carbohydrates, protein or fat.
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I know I should eat more fiber, but what is the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber?
By dotFIT experts
on November 14, 2008
Fiber, indigestible chains of carbohydrate present in all plant foods, is categorized by its ability to dissolve in water. Fiber that partially dissolves in water is labeled soluble fiber and that which does not dissolve in water, insoluble. These differences lend unique benefits to each type of fiber in the diet.
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How many grams of protein should I be eating in a day?
By dotFIT experts
on November 14, 2008
The actual recommendation for someone with your goals (dieting and presumably exercising with a fat loss goal) is listed below under “active recreational athlete” and “adaptation period”. You should strive for 1.2—1.8 grams of protein per 1 kg of body weight, or .5--.8 grams of protein per 1 pound of body weight.
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Does eating fat make me fat?
By dotFIT experts
on November 14, 2008
No, eating more calories than you burn makes you fat, whether those calories come from carbohydrates, protein or fat. There are essential fatty acids that the body needs for health and normal functioning that must be acquired through diet.
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Artificial and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners
By dotFIT experts
on February 01, 2009
It’s true that Splenda (which 600 times sweeter than sugar) is made using chlorine, but there is no evidence that the chlorine atoms in sucralose are any more dangerous than they are in sodium chloride (i.e. table salt).
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I’m not a big fan of fish oil or seafood for that matter. Can I take flax oil supplements and receive the same benefits as fish oils?
By dotFIT experts
on December 15, 2008
At this time it appears the answer is no, at least not in full, unless you ingest very large doses daily. But flax oil may deliver benefits of its own. It’s not uncommon for people to think they get the same potential health benefits because both flax oil and fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, but there is a difference in their structure and conversion once in the body.
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Is excess protein stored as fat?
By dotFIT experts
on February 02, 2009
Any time your total calories consumed (food eaten) is greater than your calories burned, the excess calories are stored as fat.
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Why are dietary carbohydrate recommendations higher than protein?
By dotFIT experts
on February 02, 2009
Simply put, your body uses more carbohydrate for energy in a day than it uses protein to build muscle. Carbohydrates are pure energy foods that you continually use to keep your body alive and in motion.
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Can diet soda cause metabolic syndrome?
By dotFIT experts
on February 05, 2009
The short answer is no. There is no cause-and-effect relationship established with drinking diet soda and metabolic syndrome (which is a host of obesity-related diseases).
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Does fruit or fructose make you fat?
By dotFIT experts
on February 02, 2009
No. Eating more calories than you burn makes you fat, whether those calories come from carbohydrates, protein or fat.
More...
I have seen websites promoting personalized diets based on genetics. Do these really work?
By dotFIT experts
on February 05, 2009
In short, we don’t know. The research on genetics and how they interact with your diet is still in its infancy.
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Are there really foods that are negative calories, like celery and broccoli?
By dotFIT experts
on February 15, 2009
Negative calorie foods are a myth. It is a common misconception that foods high in fiber such as the ones mentioned above burn more calories during digestion than they contain.
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Is there any weight loss or nutritional benefit to doing a colon cleanse?
By dotFIT experts
on March 17, 2009
The only weight loss benefit resulting from a colon cleanse is the weight removed from your intestines. In other words, the number on the scale may go down immediately after you cleanse, but unless you are “dieting” that number will return to normal soon after.
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How can we increase the levels of Vitamin D in our body?
The safest and most practical way to increase the body’s level of Vitamin D is by taking a daily multivitamin and mineral formula (MVM)
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Are decreased Vitamin D levels common?
Yes and no. It depends on what levels are deemed most healthy, which unfortunately is not agreed upon among researches and experts
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How can I figure out the amount of calories I need?
Your dotFIT program will do it for you. For a general estimation, use the following:
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How can you eat healthy when dining out?
Almost all restaurants will make meals the way you like. Meaning, you tell them how you want your meal prepared or
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What is the difference between Flax and fish oil?
Fish oil from fatty fish contains higher amounts omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, the 2 fish oils that provide health
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What is the benefit of taking fish oil capsules?
Fish oils are fats found in fatty fish (e.g. mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon) that have been shown to have many potential benefits
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What are the benefits to consuming fish and fish oil?
Over 20 years of published studies have demonstrated that people consuming at least 2 to 4 servings per week of fatty fish have many
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Is acai good for your health and reducing fat?
The acai berry may be a good source of antioxidants, fiber and healthy fats, but that doesn’t mean it’s a better choice than other fruits containing
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Should multivitamins be taken along with other supplements?
Sure, and they generally are consumed with other health supplements. Most people will take their health supplements
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Is there a certain schedule in taking supplements?
Basically, you would follow the directions on each container assuming they are accurate in having you ingest the product in a manner that would allow
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What is the maximum daily dose of magnesium?
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA), including magnesium from daily food sources and all dietary supplements, ranges from 400-420 mg per day for males
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Are there any side effects for Vitamin B?
There are side effects to almost any vitamin if you ingest too much, but there are also side effects if you get too little.
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What vitamins help boost metabolism?
Vitamins are not metabolism boosters in adequately fed people. However, vitamins perform important functions in almost all
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What vitamins should a woman over 50 be taking?
When over 50, age is more important than gender when looking for the right daily multivitamin mineral formula (MVM). As we age,
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Are all vitamins created equally?
No, don’t expect much if you are using a cheap $3.00-5.00 per month product that is mass marketed. You cannot manufacture a multivitamin and mineral formula
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How does fructose contribute to obesity?
Unfortunately, fructose has been over-vilified by some scientists and media as a potential cause of obesity. Fructose, a sugar found naturally
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Is there a regulatory agency for vitamin, minerals and herbs?
Yes, the Food and Drug Administration (Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates vitamins, minerals
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Is there a link if 10 co-workers have low vitamin D levels?
Considering many people have below-optimal levels of Vitamin D the answer is there is probably no work environment related link unless
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Why am I so hungry in the evening after a workout?
The body naturally does an amazing job at balancing calories consumed and calories burned to keep your weight relatively stable daily. Therefore,
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Should I take a calcium supplement?
If you don’t consume enough, and most people don’t, you need it. Calcium needs vary depending upon age and gender. Adult
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How much calcium do teenagers need for good bone health?
1300mgs/day. The teenage years represent a critical period for bone mineral accrual with rapid gains occurring until age 16. If one
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Can calcium alone strengthen bones?
It can certainly help when the diet has very poor calcium content, but the body needs other nutrients simultaneously in order to
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Will a multivitamin raise my vitamin B12 levels?
Yes, a properly formulated multivitamin and mineral formula (MVM) will raise your vitamin B12 levels. Make sure the B12 in the
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What are the benefits of nutritional supplements?
Nutritional supplements generally referred to as dietary supplements (DS) can deliver nutrition the diet often can’t to help improve health
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What are some of the best nutrition supplements?
Below displays the most common supplement programs used by exercisers and people concerned with maintaining and improving
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What nutritional supplements do men need daily?
Below displays the most common programs for male exercisers and/or men concerned with maintaining and improving their health
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Why is getting vitamin A from food safer than supplements?
Pre-formed vitamin A can be toxic at high levels (>10,000 IU or 3,000 mcg), thus, unless instructed by a qualified doctor, you would never
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What liver supplements should you ask your doctor about?
We can’t think of a reason to take supplements for your liver unless: 1) a qualified physician recommends a supplement to treat
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How do I take vitamin K1?
Vitamin K1 can be taken orally by consuming a good multivitamin & mineral formula (MVM) that contains ~50-100mcgs of vitamin K (as phytonadione)
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Why should I take vitamins if I am a vegetarian?
First of all everyone should take a multivitamin & mineral formula (MVM). Being a vegetarian you may have a greater need for a MVM than most non-vegetarians
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Should I take vitamins even if I eat right?
Yes because how do you know you are eating right? Do you know exactly what’s right, and can you check your foods to make sure all those “right
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How important are multivitamins to your health?
Multivitamin & mineral supplementation can be very important to health, especially if your diet is not regularly varied and
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What are three common vitamins that many people are deficient in?
The 3 common vitamins that have a higher potential for deficiency since they can’t be stored are vitamin C, B-complex and
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Is the effectiveness of a supplement for overall health validated?
Yes, supplements for deficiencies have all been validated to improve overall health. If you are anemic
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What is the role of micronutrients in the body?
The human diet requires both macronutrients (protein, fats & carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc,) to grow, develop and
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Does lycopene really work?
Plant foods containing lycopenes (colorful reddish fruits and vegetables) are very important to human health. People regularly
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Are supplements safe?
Used properly, legal dietary supplements are very safe. This doesn’t mean they all work as claimed but there are relatively few
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What supplements are safe to take for kids and adults?
Generally speaking, adults and children should all be able to safely consume a daily multivitamin & mineral formula (MVM), and if needed
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Can vitamins and other supplements slow aging?
Vitamin and mineral supplements may not slow aging but may help you live better longer depending on your daily diet and other lifestyle choices,
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Why is it important to realize exactly how much I eat?
If you don’t know how much you’re eating, you won’t know when to stop, making you unable to control unwanted weight gain. Knowing how many
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Does all DHA come from fish?
No, DHA can also come from other sources such as seeds, eggs and some plants, but in much weaker concentrations than in fish. Also
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Should fruit be eaten on an empty stomach?
For most people eating fruit on an empty stomach poses no problems. Others may end up with a slight stomach upset and
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Does cocoa powder break down plaque buildup in arteries?
It’s certainly too early to say ingesting cocoa powder might “breakdown” plaque buildup. However, much evidence exists to support the
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Is sea salt better for you than regular salt?
No, they both have the same basic nutritional components thus the same effects on your health. Sea salt comes from the evaporation
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Can you maintain the acid/alkaline diet long term?
From a health standpoint, if you are getting all your necessary nutrients from the allowed foods and you supplement anything you may be
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Is decaf coffee bad for your health?
No, unless you have been diagnosed by a doctor to have some kind of disorder or allergy when exposed to some component of the coffee
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What supplements do I need if I don’t have a thyroid gland?
Probably nothing you didn’t need before the removal of your gland based on your dietary shortcomings. The difference would be
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Can I prevent dehydration without drinking excess fluids?
Yes, you don’t need to drink in excess, you simply need to make sure you start your activity completely hydrated and replace
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How should vegans increase the DHA in their diets?
Without supplementing with a plant source DHA supplement, it’s a little difficult to get the amount of DHA that has associated
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Is omega 3 safe for someone with severe allergies?
Depends on your allergies, meaning you would discuss with your allergy care doctor first. It would be unusual to have an allergic reaction to
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At what age can my child have beets?
Most pediatricians will say at about 10 months you can introduce beets into your baby’s diet. Steaming beats for easy mashing into a
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Do farm-raised fish contain good fatty acids?
Yes, they do but not equal to their wild counterparts. Wild fish contain more of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids, per pound (or certainly per calorie)
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How do humans digest beef?
The same way all foods are digested. Digestion actually starts in the mouth from chewing and secreting digestive juices that begin to
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When taking omega 3 supplement do I need to eat fish with it?
No, in fact that’s generally why people take an omega-3 supplement – because they aren’t eating fish. Also keep in mind that not all omega
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Which omega oil is best for concentration?
No specific omega oil has been called out specifically for “concentration” but evidence does exist showing that certain omega-3 fatty acids may
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How much sodium should an adult get daily?
Most adults should take in less than 2,300 mg (~1 tsp of salt) of sodium per day and that’s combining the sodium content of everything you
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Do you get the same hydration if you mix water with Kool-aid?
The quick answer is yes because the vast majority of the mixture would be water and the small amount of Kool-Aid (KA) mix would be fairly insignificant
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Do you get the same hydration from coffee as you do water?
Yes, or at least very close. Coffee, as I am sure you know from making it or watching it being made, is almost all water and it enters the body
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What are the best options to improve Vitamin D levels?
The safest and most practical way to increase the body’s level of vitamin D is by taking a daily multivitamin mineral formula (MVM) that contains
More...
How much coffee and alcohol should you drink daily?
There is no “should” drink recommendations for either coffee or alcohol, but health benefits have been associated with moderate alcohol
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Can coffee and tea count towards my water intake?
Yes. Coffee and tea, as I am sure you know from making it or watching it being made, is almost all water and it enters the body just like a glass
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When is the best time of day to take vitamin D?
The best way to take vitamin D is with a meal and it doesn’t matter what time of day. Ideally you are getting your vitamin D from
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Are expensive vitamins better than cheaper ones?
Often yes, at least when it comes to a complete multivitamin and mineral formula (MVM) but if you are purchasing singular vitamins like vitamin C, E, D, etc.
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How can I get calcium and omega oils with a seafood allergy?
If you can’t get your calcium from a non-seafood/shellfish diet (i.e. non-tainted dairy or vegetables), which most people do not, simply look
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Is there a flavonoid supplement I can take?
Yes but unfortunately too many, and most with misleading claims or dubious recommendations due to high doses being potentially problematic
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Should I take my Vitamin D with Vitamin C?
Yes, and that’s the best way to take it. The generally recommended supplemental dose of both vitamin C and D should easily be
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Why should one prefer taking a good multivitamin without iron?
There is a very small percentage of people who should not take a multivitamin and mineral formula (MVM) that contains iron because of a condition
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At what point after swallowing does food become a calorie?
Before you swallowed the food, it contained a number of calories or what we call potential energy measured in calories. Not until the food is
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How much protein do I need daily when training for a marathon?
The simplest and safest answer is ~ 1 gram (g) of protein per pound of body weight for all athletes during intense training. Exercisers and athletes
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Can I take multiple vitamins at the same time?
All of the essential vitamins can be taken at the same time. In fact, that's the best way to get them since most work
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Does your body store vitamin B?
Other than vitamin B12, your body has very limited ability to store the B vitamins so they must be replaced daily through food and/or supplements
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If I have fish allergies, what supplements can I take?
You can take anything that does not contain ingredients that were extracted from fish. That information should be on the label i.e. "product contains
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What do you think about vitamin water? Are the vitamins able to be absorbed? Is this just another advertising gimmick?
We, and anyone understanding basic biochemistry, think very little of vitamin water or other “vitamin-spiked” foods or fluids, primarily because
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How much calcium do I need after parathyroid removal?
The answer must come from the surgeon who removes the gland. Everyone is different and especially based on age. Before surgery you will
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What are the benefits of Vitamin C?
Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect our body’s important molecules such as proteins,
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What is the difference between Vitamin B6 and B50?
Vitamin B-50 is a complex of supplements, including B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, biotin and folic acid and therefore, in this case, vitamin B6 is
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What is the difference between vitamin B9 and other B vitamins?
Vitamin B9 is also known as folic acid or folate, which is the natural form in the body. All the B-vitamins (like all individual vitamins) have their
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What is the difference between vitamin B3 and other B vitamins?
Vitamin B3 (so named because it was the 3rd B vitamin discovered) is part of the B vitamin complex. B3 is also known as niacin (nicotinic acid) and
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What is the difference between vitamin B2 and other B vitamins?
Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is one of the entire B vitamin complex. As with all vitamins, it is required to maintain human health
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Is it safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women to take vitamin B2?
If you are going to take a separate B2 (riboflavin) vitamin supplement during pregnancy or lactation, you should do so because of your doctor’s
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What is vitamin B7?
Vitamin B7 is also known as biotin, which is necessary for energy production, cell growth, production of fatty acids, and the metabolism of fats
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What is vitamin B7 used for?
Vitamin B7 is also known as biotin, which is necessary for energy production, cell growth, production of fatty acids, and the metabolism
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What does vitamin B7 (biotin) do in the body?
Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, is a cofactor (necessary substance to activate molecules/enzymes) in many different enzyme systems necessary for energy production
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What is the best way to take vitamin B7?
Through diet and a daily multivitamin and mineral formula taken with a meal. B7 (also known as biotin) sources include Swiss chard, eggs
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What is the difference between vitamin B7 and other B vitamins?
B7 (also known as biotin) is part of the B vitamin complex. All the B-vitamins (like all individual vitamins) have their specific functions but also work
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What are vitamin recommendations for men & women over 40?
Men and women up to age 50 would use formulas based on diet, activity and gender. After 50, for the majority of the population, the formula
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How many vitamins and in what amount should I be taking daily?
Men and women up to age 50 would use formulas based on diet, activity and gender. After 50, for the majority of the population, the formula would
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What is the role of protein for exercise?
Protein is responsible for rebuilding your muscle tissues after exercise and also plays a minor role in producing energy under more extreme
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Do carbohydrates make people fat?
No. Eating more calories than you burn makes you fat, whether those calories come from carbohydrates, protein or fat. Any amount of food/calories
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Does eating fat make me fat?
No. Eating more calories than you burn makes you fat, whether those calories come from carbohydrates, protein or fat. Any amount of food/
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Will eating past 6 or 7 p.m. lead to weight gain?
No, in fact, you are welcome to eat your last meal in bed if you want—just don’t consume more calories than you burn for the day. By the way
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Will eating pasta or bread make you fat?
No. Eating more calories than you burn makes you fat, whether those calories come from pasta, meat, soda, sauces or vegetables. Any
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Does fruit or fructose make you fat?
No. Eating more calories than you burn makes you fat, whether those calories come from pasta, meat, soda, sauces or vegetables. Any amount
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Is excess protein stored as fat?
Excess of any food is stored as fat if your total calories (combination of protein, fats & carbs) exceed your body's needs to maintain
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I've heard that dietary fat is bad for you. Is this true?
Too much of anything can be bad for you. But in the proper amounts, all fats make a contribution to good health. Keep total
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Eating too many carbs show up as fat in the stomach and eating too much fat shows up on my thighs. True or false?
False. Someone must have made that up by contorting science to package and sell something. When you eat too many total calories of ANY
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How is insulin involved in weight loss and fat storage?
Humans, as periodic eaters, need insulin to survive. Insulin helps the body release stored energy over time to fuel the body’s continuous needs
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Why are RDIs for carbohydrate higher than for protein?
The body uses carbohydrate to produce energy and convert other nutrients, such as fat, to energy, thus the body has a much larger need
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What’s an insulin response?
This is a tough question because insulin responds to virtually everything you put in your body. But we will briefly describe insulin’s functions:
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What is the role of iron in weight loss? I've heard it's near impossible to lose weight if I have low iron.
Low iron means low energy, potentially leading to burning fewer calories and therefore forcing you to continue to lower your calorie intake
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What's the Zone diet? Why do some people say it's the only thing that works?
Simply because they probably liked it and they were likely at a point in their life that any basic healthy diet, better than they were previously consuming,
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Since I started working out more I am craving more carbohydrates than usual. Is my body asking for more carbs because I am exercising more? Do I satisfy this carb craving or do I hold out?
The right answer is to restructure your diet but within the total calories appropriate for your overall body composition goals (e.g. weight/fat loss, or muscle gain).
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Are artificial sweeteners such as Splenda healthy?
According to the FDA, yes, and most other nutritional scientists agree. They have no DIRECT health effect, good or bad (no matter what you read on
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Can you lose fat and build muscle at the same time?
Yes, you can and that's what we always recommend, or at least try not to lose muscle when dieting. With conventional dieting (as prescribed by
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Is there an advantage to eating more meals daily including having one soon before bedtime?
Once you know how many calories you are allowed daily to achieve your goal, you want to spread them out as much as you can.
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Does drinking water while exercising cause cramps?
Not unless you drank or ate too much before the exercise and then continued drinking. Drinking too much of any fluids before exercise
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Are there tests to determine if I need to take vitamins?
Yes, there are, and if you think you have symptoms of vitamin deficiency such as iron or vitamin D, then you see your doctor (not the internet) for a
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Why can't I gain weight no matter what I eat?
The formula for gaining weight is to consume more calories than you burn so the extra calories are stored in the body as lean body mass (LBM) such
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Should all vitamins and supplements I take be USP approved?
It's not a bad place to start but it's certainly not a guarantee you are getting the best product. USP stands for The United States Pharmacopoeia. The USP
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What does drinking in moderation mean?
Moderate alcohol consumption is considered 2 drinks/day for men; 1 for women. One drink contains 14 grams of alcohol meaning: one 12 oz
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How can drinking alcohol affect my appetite?
Alcohol is notorious for leading people to overeat because of its physiological effect on appetite and because it is generally consumed in a social setting where
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What is moderate drinking?
Moderate drinking as it relates to alcohol consumption is considered 2 drinks/day for men; 1 for women. One drink contains 14 grams of alcohol meaning:
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What are best ways to avoid negative side effects after drinking?
Besides not drinking at all, drinking slightly less alcohol and/or spacing (at least an hour between drinks) your total consumption evenly throughout
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How true is it that drinking beer after liquor will not give me a hangover?
Not true. If you drink enough alcohol from any source (wine, beer, whiskey, etc.) you will get a hangover. So other than not drinking at all, drinking slightly
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What's the best remedy for a holiday hangover?
There’s lots of folklore around this topic. There is only one tried and true hangover reliever but you have to have your wits about you before you go to bed
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How do you treat a hangover?
Hangover cures are mostly wishful thinking or personal if someone feels that something works for them. There is only one tried and true hangover reliever:
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What are the health benefits of alcohol?
Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with the following health benefits: reduced risk of heart attack and stroke; increases HDL (good cholesterol)
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Is it true that alcohol can be good for you?
Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with some health benefits: reduced risk of heart attack and stroke; increases HDL
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How could alcohol be beneficial?
It's a slippery slope. Although there are health benefits associated with moderate alcohol consumption, it's not clear if it's truly alcohol itself or the lifestyle
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What are the health benefits of drinking red wine?
Red wine consumed in moderation has been associated with improved heart health and reduced risk of related diseases such as obesity and diabetes
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Does red wine make my heart healthy?
It may help if you eat well and exercise regularly. It has long been thought that red wine confers protective effects against heart disease because
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What are the health benefits of red wine?
Red wine consumed in moderation has been associated with improved heart health and reduced risk of related diseases such as obesity
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Does white wine provide the same heart benefits as red wine?
Maybe not all the benefits related to red wine's purported protection against cardiovascular disease, but white wine probably also delivers
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Do endurance athletes need more antioxidants?
Probably, and there is certainly no downside to adding higher levels of vitamins and minerals that are part of our body's antioxidant systems to your
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3. Will supplementation be necessary to improving fitness levels?
If you’re eat perfectly all the time and you get optimal amounts of exercise every day, then you can certainly improve your fitness levels without supplementation but the long term
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4. Can nutrition be a barrier to improving fitness levels?
Nutrition is almost always the barrier to improving fitness levels or breaking through plateaus. Poor nutrition means poor fitness and improper nutrition for your fitness goal equates to no progress
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What are some healthy snacks for football game time?
You asked the right person because first, we are big football fans as we all played growing up and our son is currently playing Division 1 at CU Boulder. Second, we love to eat
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What's the best way to treat a hangover?
Hangover cures are mostly wishful thinking or personal if someone feels that something works for them. There is only one tried and true hangover reliever:
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Are low carbohydrate diets okay for an endurance athlete?
No, they are counterproductive in every way for endurance athletes. Not only will you compromise performance but you will also not recover
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What is the most common sports nutrition mistake people make?
Overall daily food planning, including meal timing around the activity/event, is the most common miss or mistake athletes make related to nutrition
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Are there pre-and post rugby/lacrosse game nutrition recommendations?
Yes, and the most important thing you can do is to make sure your energy systems are full by not just eating the right combination of foods
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Do I need to eat during the hockey game?
No, as long as you ate correctly before the game; otherwise to help pick up energy because of a lack of pre-game planning, you could eat a
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What is good to eat right before I go out?
Depends on where you are going, what you are going to do and how long after you eat will you be participating in physical activity.
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How do I know if I'm well hydrated?
If you're an athlete, follow the guidelines shown below and you will be hydrated perfectly. You can't trust your thirst. The sensation of thirst occurs when the water deficit is ~2% of body mass. Performance can
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What foods should young athletes eat?
Basically the same foods as adult athletes. It's harder to get them to eat properly but just as important, especially during their growth years. A young athlete needs to be on a nutrition plan
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What is the best way to detoxify my body?
You don't need to. The notion that fasting cleanses actually “clean” the body is more of a marketing ploy than sound science. The human body naturally expels toxins via detoxification
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How long can you store green tea bought from China?
A double-walled stainless steel tea tin is the best way to keep your green tea fresh for up to a year. Green tea needs to be kept away from
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What is a good substitute for nuts?
If you are allergic to nuts there are good substitutes such as olives, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and avocados and are all excellent sources of the nutrients, including unsaturated
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How do I know what qualifies as processed food?
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a processed food is defined as any food other than a raw agricultural commodity and includes any raw agricultural commodity that
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What dried herbs can be used for a salt substitute?
All-natural herbs & spices like onion, black pepper, parsley & basil can be used as a salt substitute without sacrificing flavor. Mrs. Dash offers 14 different seasonings that are salt-free.
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Are there any side effects from eating cranberries?
Orally, cranberry is usually well tolerated and certainly at a normal intake of 1-2 cups/day. However, in very large doses, for example 12-17 cups/day of juice, cranberry can cause
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How long does it take for caffeine to leave your system?
The half-life, which is the time required by the body to metabolize or inactivate 1/2 of a substance activity, for caffeine (doses lower than 4.50mg/lb) ranges from 2.5 to 10hrs. Meaning, caffeine
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Why all the hype about gluten-free diets?
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Are wild meats like deer meat healthier to eat?
Generally yes because they have far less fat and calories than their penned in counterparts like cows or pigs that end up in the meat markets. Wild meats such as venison (which
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Is hot green tea better for you than cold green tea?
As long as you steep it long enough to release the antioxidants, you can drink it hot or cold and get the same potential health benefits. Research has shown
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What is the best way to clean vegetables?
Make sure that you are washing both vegetables and fruits separately from fresh cuts of meat, eggs, etc., in order to avoid cross contamination. Rinse fruits and vegetables with warm
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Which is better for you, oleo or butter?
Oleo is better known as margarine and is used as a butter substitute. Oleo is made from vegetable oil and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free. Due to it needing to go through
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What is beef?
Beef is the culinary name that is used for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. Beef is the third most widely
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What is the difference between whole grain and refined grains?
Refined grains are grains that have been processed where typically the germ and the bran have been removed. This process removes nearly 80% of the nutrition from the grain and
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What is the nutritional value of halibut?
A 5.5 oz/155 gram (approximately 1Ž2 of a fillet) fillet of Atlantic or Pacific Halibut provides 220 calories, 42 grams of protein, 0 grams of carbohydrates and 5 grams of fat (no
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Can my body make all the amino acids I need?
No, our bodies only produce what is known as the non-essential amino acids (NEAA). The other amino acids, known as the essential amino acids (EAA), which the body cannot
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What healthy nuts should I keep in my pantry?
Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, cashews and pecans provide a great source of protein, minerals, "good" monounsaturated fats and other nutrients and they are also good
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What are some healthy proteins I can eat for breakfast?
There are many healthy proteins choices for breakfast but it's a matter of personal taste. Eggs are most common and healthy as long as you don't eat too many. One whole egg daily
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What are some healthy proteins I can eat for lunch or dinner?
The options for a healthy lunch or dinner are increasing daily. You can have it all in your salad by adding your favorite protein like chicken, lean beef, fish, etc. This is a great choice
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What is texturized vegetable protein?
Textured or texturized vegetable protein or texturized soy protein (also known as TVP or TSP) is a meat extender made from defatted soy flour. It is a by-product of extracting
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What is instant protein?
Instant Protein is a brand name for a powdered, protein supplement/replacement that is currently available on the market, but it is also a name people use for a quick and easy way to
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How does instant protein work?
Instant protein is a type of protein supplement/replacement that is used as a quick and easy way to replace or supplement their diet with additional or required protein in a quick and
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What are the side effects of instant protein?
Unless your doctor has diagnosed you with a condition where you need to avoid this type of protein or simply need to keep your protein level below a certain amount, there should be
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Who should not use instant protein?
Instant protein (also known as protein powders/replacements) should not be used by people with kidney disorders, Phenylketonuria or any other condition that does not allow excess
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Who should take instant protein?
Instant protein (also known as protein powders/replacements) is a quick and easy way to replace or supplement your diet with additional or required protein. Someone who is in need
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What is the maximum daily dosage of instant protein?
Typically, 20-25 grams of protein per meal for most individuals but no one, unless instructed by their physician, should consume all their daily protein needs from a supplement. Use a
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What type of fruit juice is the healthiest?
While 100% fruit juices are much healthier than sugary sodas, pomegranate juice was ranked #1 according to a UCLA study based on levels of antioxidants. Pomegranate
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What diet should I follow after I have my gallbladder removed?
After Gallbladder surgery, many foods that were commonly eaten before the surgery now cause pain and discomfort. This is due to the body no longer being able to process certain
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Which artificial sweetener is the best?
There are a number of artificial sweeteners to choose from. It is difficult to determine which is the best, since they are all considered safe for the general population, when used at moderate levels.
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Will coconut oil rise your blood pressure?
Coconut oil is a very heat-stable oil thus it is suited to methods of cooking at high temperatures such as frying. Due to its stability, it is slow to oxidize and, thus, resistant to rancidity
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What is the amount of soy a person should have?
The issue of soy and isoflavone activity is in question today based on its potential effect on estrogen levels. Until more definitive research is available, 1 serving per day should be a
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What are some calcium alternatives?
There are a number of different delivery systems for increasing calcium in the diet. Obviously, the most popular and easiest/most convenient way to ingest calcium is from dairy
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What are good foods to eat that are low in phosphorus?
Low Phosphorus Fruits, (One Carbohydrate Serving (15 grams)) Apples, plums, tangerines one small fruit (size of a tennis ball) strawberries,
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How much flavonoids should I eat per day?
Flavonoids consist of a large family of compounds found and made in plants called polyphenols. Scientists are interested in the potential health benefits of flavonoids associated with
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Should I take a daily multivitamin and if so, which one?
All persons of all ages should use a daily MVM to complement one’s best efforts to define and consume a proper diet. At a minimum, MVM supplementation is insurance against
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Why do I need vitamins in my diet?
By their very definition, vitamins (and minerals) are essential nutrients. Essential substances, when discussing nutrition, are those that the body cannot manufacture at all or in
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How do B-vitamins affect my brain as I age?
Vitamins B6 and B12 are both involved in systems that keep the amino acid’s derivative homocysteine in check. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with higher risk of many
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How do minerals relate to vitamins?
Both are essential nutrients that the body requires in very small amounts for normal health and functioning. Minerals differ from vitamins in that they are inorganic substances.
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What is inositol?
Inositol is a naturally occurring nutrient found in various forms, the most common being myo-inositol. Even though it is sometimes referred to as a vitamin, it is not. This nutrient is not
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What are vitamins?
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How are vitamins categorized?
Vitamins are normally categorized as water-soluble and fat-soluble. Those that are water-soluble are flushed out on a regular basis and not stored in the body in any appreciable
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What is the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamins?
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary intake of a nutrient that is sufficient to meet the requirement of nearly all (97-98%) healthy persons. DRI’s have
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Can I adjust my diet to feel more energy?
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Is it better to eat salad before or after your meal?
This appears to be more of a cultural issue than a scientific one. Many European countries customarily eat the salad after the main meal, while Americans tend to eat it before
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What foods should I eat if I have high cholesterol?
There are several simple dietary changes you can make to positively impact your cholesterol. For one, increase your soluble fiber intake. Foods high in soluble fiber include oatmeal
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Do certain vitamins interact with other vitamins?
There are definitely instances where status of one vitamin can affect the status of another. There are also food, mineral and medicinal interactions that can affect nutrient absorption.
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What is a good nutritional plan to follow?
There are as many options here as there are people to follow them. Ideally, it is one that nourishes your body and suits your likes and lifestyle. To help you in designing healthy menus,
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Does craving salt mean an imbalance in my body?
Not necessarily. There are a few instinctual, inborn cravings in humans, designed to help us when food availability was not as reliable as it is today. These include the taste for sweet,
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Can the phytoestrogens in soy be harmful?
Soy and soy-based foods contain phytoestrogens and their consumption at high levels in many countries has occurred for decades with no problems. When the possibility of the
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What is dotFIT's position on Genetically Modified Foods (GMO) and non-GMO?
Evidence-based Position Statement on use of GMO foods and GMO ingredients
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What are the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals?
The Institute of Medicine 's Food and Nutrition Board have set the recommended daily intake of essential nutrients, known as the Dietary Reference Intakes
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