Nutrition Wise
In Nutrition Wise, a weekly question and answer column, Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN address hot topics in the field of diet, nutrition and cancer.Diet and Incontinence, Calories in Boxed Chocolates, Serving of Spinach
Q: Does diet affect urinary incontinence?
Q: Do I get a lot of calories from those boxed chocolates if I just have a piece or two?
Q: A large portion of raw spinach cooks down to such a small amount, how much does it take to count as a serving of vegetables?
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Vegetable fiber, Corn tortillas, Better salads
Q: Is fiber content reduced when vegetables are cooked?
Q: Are corn tortillas a healthier choice than flour tortillas?
Q: How do you keep from getting bored with salad? The only things I can think of to make salad exciting are things that make it less healthy!
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Probiotics, Tahini, Quercetin
Q: Are probiotics really helpful in treating constipation?
Q: What is tahini and is it healthy?
Q: I am told that quercetin is a compound that helps prevent cancer. What foods can I find it in if I don’t want to take it as a supplement?
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Vegetables and Cholesterol, Chia Seeds and Omega-3, Papayas
Q: Does eating more vegetables and fruits really help lower blood cholesterol?
Q: Is it true that chia seeds are one of the best sources of omega-3 fat? If so, how do you eat them?
Q: I have seen papayas in the grocery store but never tried one. What do I look for? Are they very nutritious?
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Goat meat, Shelf life of spices, Pedometers
Q: Is goat meat a healthier choice than other meats?
Q: Can I keep my jarred spices indefinitely?
Q: Are pedometers all the same, or what should someone look for before making a purchase?
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Eating for High BP and Cholesterol, Smoked Salmon and Cancer Risk, Star Fruit
Q: It seems overwhelming to think about what I can eat to address high cholesterol, high blood pressure and the need to lose weight. Where do I start?
Q: Do smoked salmon and other smoked fish pose the concern for cancer risk that smoked meats do?
Q: How do you serve the fruit known as “star fruit”? Should it be peeled?
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Grass fed beef, Vitamin A supplements, Coffee and calcium absorption
Q: Is grass-fed beef included in the recommended limit on red meat consumption?
Q: Can you explain how to check the vitamin A content information on food and supplement labels against recommended amounts, since they seem to be listed in different units?
Q: Is it true that coffee blocks calcium absorption?
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Yerba Mate, Sugar Free Sweets, Kefir
Q: Some sources refer to Yerba Maté as a risk factor for cancer but others say it is very healthful. What’s up?
Q: How much weight will I lose if I switch all my sweets and snack foods to low fat or sugar-free versions?
Q: What’s the difference between kefir and yogurt?
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Dried Beans, Weight Loss Supplements, White Spots on Fingernails
Q: I’m concerned about your advice to eat more dried beans – aren’t they high-calorie?
Q: I heard that the FDA declared a lot of weight-loss supplements unsafe. What ingredients should I look for to check safety?
Q: Are little white spots on fingernails the sign of a nutritional deficiency?
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DNA, Breastfeeding, Sore mouth during cancer treatment
Q: Can DNA that has been damaged be passed on to our children?
Q: Can breastfeeding help a new mother lose excess pregnancy weight faster?
Q: What can you suggest for a cancer patient who develops a very sore mouth and throat during treatment?
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