Calorie Count - Ask Mary

Does WHITE cheese have less cholesterol than YELLOW cheese?

Fri, 13 May 2011 17:10:23 GMT

Asked by t75ias1 on May 11, 2011 in Nutrition

My mother-in-law is convinced that there is less cholesterol in WHITE cheeses than YELLOW ones. Is she right?

Answer:

There’s no nutritional difference between yellow and white cheese. Orange and/or yellow cheeses have had color added. Natural, uncolored cheeses are always a shade of white. Both yellow and white cheeses have 30 milligrams of cholesterol in one ounce. 300 milligrams of cholesterol is the daily limit. There is only a third to half the amount of in low-fat cheeses. For example, see these low-fat Cheddar and cottage cheeses or this Laughing Cow brand Light Garlic & Herb Cheese spread.

Is it okay to stand while eating meals?

Fri, 13 May 2011 14:35:37 GMT

Asked by imgeca on May 12, 2011 in Weight Loss

I often stand during meal time. Is that a good thing?

Answer:

If you must stand because you cannot sit down for some reason, then it's fine to stand while eating; however, it is always preferable to eat while seated, relaxed, and enjoying food with all of your senses. Standing while eating is often associated with mindless, inattentive eating that may be unsatisfying but adds calories nevertheless. And then some people stand while eating because standing burns more calories compared to sitting down, but that is an aberrant way of looking at calories and so it should be discouraged.

Are Red Bull and Monster Zero energy drinks safe?

Fri, 6 May 2011 17:59:08 GMT

Asked by kurlycarm on May 05, 2011 in Nutrition

I do not drink coffee because the acid really bothers me. I usually drink an 8 oz. Red Bull in the morning and, on days that I work a 3 to 8 pm shift, I'll drink a 16 oz. Monster Zero. It just gives me that little pick-me-up I need, tastes great and doesn't make me nervous. I'm 51 and reentered the work force about a year ago. My job is quite physical and I'm usually on my feet the entire 5 hours. My boss however insists that all energy drinks are dangerous . . . PERIOD! I could use a little support.

Answer:

Children and pregnant women should not have energy drinks. For adults, energy drinks are only a problem if they are consumed in excess or if they give you insomnia or the jitters. Healthy adults are advised to stay below 300-500 milligrams of caffeine a day. An 8.3 ounce can of diet Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine, while a 16 ounce can of lite Monster Energy contains 160 mg, ounce per ounce the same amount. As a point of reference, 8 ounces of brewed coffee has 95-200 mg of caffeine and a can of Coke has 35-40 mg. The other nutrients added to energy drinks are useless but harmless.

Should I wait until I'm closer to goal before getting a tummy tuck?

Fri, 6 May 2011 15:54:36 GMT

Asked by brittamichaela on May 04, 2011 in Weight Loss

I'm down 68 pounds and want to get a tummy tuck. Should I wait till I'm closer to goal weight?

Answer:

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons advises you to be at a stable weight before getting a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and loose skin and tightens stretched muscles to give the abdomen a flatter appearance, but the outcome can be greatly diminished if your weight fluctuates. Tummy tucks are major surgery, typically performed under general anesthesia. In the US, the cost ranges from $4000 to $15,000 depending upon where you live and the complexity of the operation. It is usually considered to be a cosmetic procedure and so not covered by health insurance.

Why don't you mention cost savings of counting calories?

Thu, 5 May 2011 18:48:32 GMT

Asked by 188812 on May 04, 2011 in Weight Loss

I've lost 30 pounds in the last 6 months just by sticking to 1700 cal/day. I realize that I've also cut my grocery bill by 40% not only by eating less, but also by eating fewer processed foods. A jar of natural peanut butter now lasts a month instead of a week, and box of cereal two weeks instead of a few days. This is great - I feel less gluttonous and more like I'm doing something significant in the realm of sustainability - the amount of packaging waste that goes into the trash has significantly reduced as well.

Answer:

You have already said it well! Although people commonly say that it costs more to eat healthy food, little research has been done on the price of eating within your calorie budget. Research from The Bassett Heart Care Institute found that an individual can save an average of $8 a week by switching to a from fast food to a heart-healthy diet, and the National Cancer Institute's 5-A-Day program managed to save $7 a week and 700 calories by making a few healthy changes. Besides the cost savings attained by eating less food and nixing the junk, you can also save a lot of money by eating less meat, by choosing seasonal produce, and by cooking at home and eating leftovers.

Should I add coconut oil to my diet?

Thu, 5 May 2011 17:00:29 GMT

Asked by shubydo on May 05, 2011 in Weight Loss

My nutritionist has advised me to add coconut oil to my diet after I reach a certain weight goal. She indicated coconut oil and the liver digestion has a commonality and it would be for better mental health.

Answer:

Coconut oil is a controversial food. There is no scientific evidence to support using it as medicine, although it has been used as a food and medicine in Asia for thousands of years. In the Western world, coconut oil is historically“food to avoid” because it is loaded with saturated fat. However, key scientists are changing their stance. Compared to the fatty acids in meat, the saturated fats in coconut oil, called MCT (medium chain triglycerides), are shorter and more water-soluble, and so they are routed to the liver to be burned for fuel instead of going on to make cholesterol. But one tablespoon of coconut oil has 120 calories and 14 grams of fat, and the American Heart Association does not support it. I see no reason to add it as as a supplement, but if you choose to use coconut oil, substitute it for other oils in stir-frying and salad dressings or use full fat coconut milk.

I am trying to create a 'belly fat' meal plan but I am confused.

Wed, 4 May 2011 16:11:47 GMT

Asked by choxolatte on May 04, 2011 in Eating Disorders

I need a food list onto help burn belly fat, please.

Answer:

The Anti-Belly Fat Diet is simply the Mediterranean Diet, which features meals rich in vegetables, fruit, unrefined grains, olive oil, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts. For help planning a Mediterranean Diet, visit Oldways Preservation Trust. They have lots of useful resources, but you might particularly like their 7-Day Seasonal Mediterranean Menus.

Will eating high fat foods help me get my period back?

Wed, 4 May 2011 14:50:09 GMT

Asked by dark_angel_866 on May 04, 2011 in Nutrition

Should I be eating nuts and nut butters, cheese, and avocado?

Answer:

To get your period back, you have to gain weight. Because high fat foods have lots of calories, they make it relatively easy to gain without having to eat a large volume of food. I see on the back-end that your weight is 95 pounds and you are 5'4" with a medium frame. I estimate that you will have to gain around 25 pounds for your period to return. I hope you can rely on your treatment team for direction and support.

Does Dr. Oz's banaba leaf weight loss tea work?

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:12:06 GMT

Asked by bigpenguin on Feb 21, 2011 in Weight Loss

Dr. Oz had this tea on his show and said it can assist with weight loss. Are you familiar with this natural product?

Answer:

Banaba is a tropical bush that grows in Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. The leaf contains an extract that is used in folk medicine to treat high blood sugar and urinary tract infections and it is said to have blood thinning, diuretic and antimicrobial activities as well In a few mice studies, ingestion of banaba leaf extract produced weight loss even though calories were not reduced. It was also associated with triglyceride reduction in obese female mice. However, human studies are lacking on the effects of banaba leaf extract on weight loss and other medical uses, and so it is much too soon to rely on banaba as a weight loss aid - or to see it as safe.

Why do I burn so many calories when I am sedentary?

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:51:18 GMT

Asked by divefab on Feb 16, 2011 in Fitness

I set my activity level as sedentary and, without logging any physical activities, the analysis tab shows my calorie output is 2187 one day and 2193 another day. If sedentary is working behind a desk and watching TV with no other daily activity, how can that be such a high caloric burn?

Answer:

Of all the calories you burn in one day, around 75 percent are used to perform physiologic functions such as making your heart beat and your brain work, performing all cellular activities, maintaining your body temperature, digesting your food, etc. The other 25 percent (or less for some people) are used in all physical activity, which includes intentional exercise, as well as unintentional activity (fidgeting) and the activities of daily living such as washing, dressing, eating etc. A man of your size can easily burn 2000 calories a day at a sedentary activity level.

Does a calcium supplement give you enough calcium?

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:59:42 GMT

Asked by linda0277 on Feb 16, 2011 in Nutrition

I am not getting enough through my food intake.

Answer:

A supplement does help to meet your daily calcium requirement when you don’t get enough calcium from food. Supplement to make up the amount by which you fall short in your Nutrient Analysis. When choosing a supplement, go by the amount of elemental calcium (not total calcium) listed on the label. Calcium citrate is best absorbed and can be taken on an empty stomach; however calcium citrate usually contains less elemental calcium per pill and so you need to take more pills. Calcium carbonate, which is more popular and less expensive, must be taken with meals. Take supplements in increments of 500 mg or less, also consider a supplement that contains vitamin D to enhance absorption.

Is agave nectar a good substitute for sugar?

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:54:59 GMT

Asked by tjinaz on Feb 15, 2011 in Weight Loss

Answer:

Agave nectar is a natural sugar extracted from the Blue Agave plant that grows in Mexico. Agave nectar is a good substitute for granulated sugar. Add it to hot or cold foods. In baking, agave nectar produces a moist and lightly browned product. Agave is a nutritive sweetener that provides carbohydrates and a few more calories than granulated sugar. Agave is useful to diabetics because it is contains more fructose and so has a low glycemic index. It is known for its anti-microbial properties and is usefulness in traditionally medicine. Read more about agave nectar at About.com.

What is the healthiest cooking oil?

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 15:13:19 GMT

Asked by meganlthorpe on Feb 15, 2011 in Weight Loss

I currently cook with sunflower oil and it has over 135 cals a serving. I have heard about an oil called 'fry light' with one cal a serving. Would that be a good oil to use? If not, what is the healthiest and low calorie oil? I'm also a student and so nothing too pricey.

Answer:

It’s best to cook with plant oils: olive oil, canola oil, sunflower, safflower, corn, and soy oil. They are all full of healthy mono- and poly-unsaturated fats and low in artery clogging saturated fats. Canola oil is best for baking, olive oil for salad dressings and marinades, and sunflower, safflower and corn for sauté when a higher smoke point is needed. All oils have about 120 calories per tablespoon. FryLight is a one calorie cooking spray from the UK. Cooking sprays have a place in every healthy kitchen. To save money, read how to Make Your Own Cooking Spray at About.com.

Is it bad to eat the dark part of a portabella mushroom?

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:40:09 GMT

Asked by sanafe on Feb 14, 2011 in Nutrition

Answer:

The entire portabella mushroom is edible including the dark brown part is called the 'spore print'. All mushrooms are ultra low in calories but highly flavorful. They are are a good source of many different nutrients, such as potassium, selenium, copper, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid, and they contain other disease-fighting phytochemicals. Mushrooms naturally contain vitamin D, a rare nutrient in foods. Some mushrooms are treated with UV-irradiation, like that found in sunlight, to enhance their vitamin D. Read more about vitamin D in this Calorie Count blog.

Can I use a fiber supplement on days when I don't get enough fiber?

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:47:40 GMT

Asked by jencathen on Feb 14, 2011 in Nutrition

Is Benefiber okay to use when I can't reach my RDA?

Answer:

Fiber supplements can be used daily without harmful effects. Benefiber, made of natural wheat dextrin, is a good choice as are Metamucil, Citrucel, Konsyl, and others. You can take fiber supplement in the form of wafers or as powders added to hot or cold beverages such as water, coffee, or juice. They can also be mixed into soft foods such as applesauce, pudding or yogurt and you can add fiber supplements to recipes for muffins, casseroles and sauces. For a less expensive cooking ingredient, consider using raw wheat bran or oat bran. When taking fiber supplements, be sure to drink plenty of water because liquid is needed to make the fiber work. Read more about dietary fiber at Calorie Count.