Q: Jerry J. of Milwaukee - Can a hair loss be attributed to a poor diet? If so, are there foods that can improve healthy hair? A friend of mine wants to know.
A: Barb Troy - Hi Jerry, and welcome to our nutrition chat for February. Hair loss is a classic sign/symptom of malnutrition. However, there are many causes for hair loss which have nothing to do with the diet. If there IS a dietary link, the #1 thing I would look at is Calories. Individuals deprived of adequate Caloric intake for extended periods of time (due to poverty or to an eating disorder, for examples) often have significant hair loss. In addition to total Calories, any number of nutrients are important for healthy hair, such as protein, essential fatty acids and Vitamin A (for the scalp).
Q: nancy wolfe of milwaukee - when i have small amounts of food to heat, i put them in a small pyrex dish, and put that dish into a larger pyrex dish that has and inch of water in it. then into the microwave. it heats very evenly. i have never read about this option. do you have any idea if it has a "name" = the process, that is? thank you.
A: Barb Troy - Hi Nancy, I will admit that I am not a cooking expert, but your description makes me think back about "water bath" or "double boiling" methods used on stove top burners. Similiar to your description, these older top-of-the-stove methods helped prevent burning and promoted even heating. Gee Nancy, sounds like you might be a very creative, talented cook!
Q: Teya of Menomonee Falls - With the concern about the high amount of pesticides found in fruits such as grapes, strawberries, apples, etc... does this mean that the dried forms of these fruits (ie raisins) are just as high in pesticides and would be worse because it would be concentrated? Does this warrant the need to purchase organic dried fruit? Thanks
A: Barb Troy - Hi Teya, I think you have an excellent question. After all, raisins are just dried grapes, right? Using the term Organic on a food label first became legislated by a federal law as of the year 2000. Since this law is relatively new, we are just beginning to see research which compares organic to non organic food in terms of pesticide residues, nutritional value, etc. As to dried fruit, I personally have not seen these mentioned as being high in pesticide residues. But, I too, am just beginning to watch for this type of research. FYI: The February 2006 ed of Consumer Reports (CR) includes an article discussing when it pays to buy organic. It lists apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach and strawberries as having some of the highest pesticide residue levels of all regular produce. CR recommends purchasing organically grown versions of these fruits and veggies.
Q: Tom of Milwaukee - What's the best advice you can give someone to eat "better"? What are the "dos" and don'ts" for someone that's wants to eat healthier?
A: Barb Troy - Hi Tom, Oh man....simple question, tough answer. But I'll give it a try! 1. Vary you intake. Nutrients are widely distributed throughout foods, so you have a better change of consuming more different nutrients if food selection is broad. 2. Moderation (of Calories). Yes, I know that no one wants to hear this, but over eating leads to health related problems faster than any other type of nutrient variable (other than dehydration). 3.Plants first, animal products second. I do think there is compelling evidence to prioritize plants. All of the phyto(plant)chemical research which first began about 20 years ago points to the importance of plants. I agree with the American Cancer Society to think of the New American Plate being at least 3/4 plant and 1/4 meat. 4.Whenever possible, consume raw rather than cooked/processed (to best preserve nutrient, fiber and phytochemical content). The one exception to this rule would be cooked tomatoe products, which concentrates some of the desirable phytochemical content. 5. Think low fat, not fat free. Don't go over board with the fat phobia. We do need a minimal amount of essential fatty acids in our diet every day. 6. Move that body every day. Yes, I know this is technically not a piece of nutritional wisdom, but I feel eating right and exercise daily should always go together. Finally....Don't Smoke! I can't think of a single more important healthy lifestyle concept to get across to people in any age group!
Q: Betty of milwaukee - Barb- I'm in my late forties and started exercising 4-5 times a week. I would like to lose 15-20 lbs. I want to take it slowly and lose just 1-2 lbs per week. I love and eat plenty of fruits and veggies but I sometime think I don't get enough protein in my diet. What amount of protein is needed and still lose weight and to maintain the weight?
A: Barb Troy - Hi Betty, Best wishes to you in your endeavors. By your description, you are striving to lose weight in an intelligent, healthy manner. In regards to protein, about 46 grams/day would be a great target. In order to insure adequate protein you can consume high quality protein foods (meaning the essential building blocks(=amino acids)to build necessary body proteins are all present in these foods) such as eggs, milk, animal flesh, and even soy. You can also get protein in plant based foods (legumes, nuts and seeds, veggies and grains) but it is important to get a variety of all of these types of plant based foods daily in order to get all of your needed amino acids. FYI: Check out mypyramid.gov. If you register and use the food intake tracker, it will help you know how your protein intake measures up. Good luck!
Q: A Student of Milwaukee - Barb Troy I love apples
A: Barb Troy - From one apple lover to another...apples are a marvelous creation!
Q: Willie of Milwaukee - How can I get an A in your class? Hollerz.
A: Barb Troy - Oh, I am quite certain you know the answer to this question...study, study, study! Well everyone, today's chat was short, but hopefully sweet...very appropriate for the month of Valentine's Day, don't you think? Thanks for joining us, and "see" you next month. To your health, Barb
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