Submitted by JESUS FERRERA from MIAMI,FL

Q: I have a son with autism. I like to get professional assistance. Do you have a private practice? Can you recommend someone? thank you

Answered 06/07/09 12:59:06 by Sheah Rarback

A: The Mailman Center at the Miller School of Medicine provides assistance to children with autism.

Submitted by Ivan Largo from Durham, NC

Q: I would like to know how are vitamins and nutrients in general in vegetables/other foods affected by microwave cooking/preparation Thanks

Answered 04/07/09 11:36:56 by Sheah Rarback

A: Since microwave cooking is so quick it is probably better at keeping in the nutrients. The only exception might be vitamin C which can be lost when exposed to heat. But so many vitamin C rich foods, like citrus and bell peppers are eaten raw that they would make up for any losses that occur in microwaving.

Submitted by pHYLLIS from mIAMI, fLORIDA

Q: Is Nova salmon good for you? It is smoked and I know smoked products are not good for you, but it is also salmon, which is full of the good fat. Does eating Nova count as eating salmon?

Answered 04/07/09 11:32:27 by Sheah Rarback

A: Nova is salmon with the same good fatty acids. The problem is the high sodium content. If you are in a high risk category for high blood pressure one serving of nova could provide 1/2 of your sodium for the day. Nova is fine for occasional meals but fresh salmon is the best bet for healthy fatty acids.

Submitted by Esthela from Las Vegas, NV

Q: I have been trying to loose weight for a very long time and I would like to know of a grocery list that has good fats in it but im not sure which foods have these fats. I would like to have a grocery list for a healthy beginning

Answered 02/07/09 13:18:31 by Sheah Rarback

A: There are a lot of websites that can help you make healthier food choices. I suugest going to mypyramid.gov and there you can find the basics of what foods to eat for good health and weight loss.

Submitted by diana from weston, fl

Q: Hi, good morning. My daughter became vegan 4 months ago. We are very concern because her grades went down, she sleeps too much, she has too many absentees from school since she can't get up in the morning. She had several colds during this time and also kept her away from school. Yesterday I took her to the doctor and had blood test made and they'll be ready next week. The doctor was not too friendly with her and told her to go to a psychology. What can I do?

Answered 01/19/09 12:45:18 by Sheah Rarback

A: You are describing a complex situation that involves much more than a vegan diet. A vegan diet, carefully planned, can provide adequate nutrition for a teenager. Your daughter's health and school work, as you describe it, is being effected. I would agree with your doctor that a consultation with a psychologist, one that can work with a registered dietitian, might be beneficial.

Submitted by miguel from miami, fl

Q: I eat lots of fruits during the day, even with such healthy food, i do no seem to be able to loose weight. What is the right way to eat fruits? I only eat small portion of lean meats, no starches and still stuck in my weight.

Answered 01/19/09 12:41:40 by Sheah Rarback

A: It might be time to not only look at how many calories you take in but how many you are burning. When stuck at a weight plateau cutting down on an appropriate calorie intake can slow your metabolism even more. Review your physical activties and see how you can add another half hour most days of the week. A brisk walk might be the solution to your stalled weight gain. A healthy weight is achieved and maintained with a balance of what we eat and how many calories we burn. Good luck.

Submitted by Pedro Padilla from miami, florida

Q: Dear Ms. Rarback, I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, is there any help in the nutritional field for patients with this problem? Thank You, Pedro Padilla

Answered 01/19/09 12:37:07 by Sheah Rarback

A: Your doctor is always your first source for information on pain management. It is best to be at a healthy weight to reduce stress on disc and joints. Eating a varied diet of natural foods will provide the nutrients needed for health promotion. Omega 3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish, walnuts, flax and other foods are anti-inflammatory. A word of caution- you will find many companies and websites advertising cures for arthritis and other chronic condition. Be very careful before spending money at these sites. Check their credentials and research. Best Wishes.

Submitted by CINDY from MIAMI, FLORIDA

Q: I'M HAVING A HARD TIME ELIMINATING THE FATS IN MY BELLY. HOW CAN I ELIMINATE THIS WITHOUT LOSING TOO MUCH WEIGHT?

Answered 01/05/09 10:15:28 by Sheah Rarback

A: It is very difficult to spot reduce. There has been recent interest in a diet higher in monounsatured fats having a reducing effect on belly fat. Since the monofats are heart healthy having them at every meal is a nutrition plus. It is important the monofats replace other fats not be added to your typical intake. Mono fats might help reduce belly fat if you are also losing weight. If you are more interested the book is called the Flat Belly Diet. Best of luck

Submitted by michelle from miami beach

Q: Hello you've propbably heard this question before HOW DO I LOOSE WEIGHT. I'm on a really tight budget. Oh and I have heartburn what can I eat or drink to get rid of it. Thank you

Answered 01/05/09 10:05:41 by Sheah Rarback

A: Check with your doctor if you have chronic heartburn. For some people tight clothes or laying down after eating makes heartburn worse. It might be helpful to keep a log of what you eat to determine what foods cause a reaction to you. Everyone is a little bit different. The most inexpensive way to lose weight is to increase exercise. Taking a regular daily walk can be the beginning of weight loss. Best of luck.

Submitted by george from pembroke pines,fl

Q: Your response about protein needs... should be based on lean body weight, not total weight,true?

Answered 12/13/08 11:51:16 by Sheah Rarback

A: Calculated protein needs are based on total weight not lean body weight.

Submitted by Kathryn from Miami, Fl

Q: Hi Dr. Rarback, I suffer from Migraines, regularly, aroung 8-10 a month, and have been on Immitrex or the generic Sumatriptan for treatment. I rather not take the meds when one is occurring and instead use Excedrin Migraine. Life Extension has come out with a combination pill of Butterbur,Riboflavin,and ginger that is said to reduce the frequency. However, I read that it may have a reaction with Triptans. I have ordered the butterbur combo and would like to know if I can go ahead and use it?

Answered 10/16/08 12:37:14 by Sheah Rarback

A: Kathryn I would suggest you discuss this with the physician who prescribed your migraine medication. You might want to do some online research on these ingredients and bring your findings to your physician visit.

Submitted by annalou from philippines

Q: pls. send me an in formation what food i supposed to eat to avoid fat

Answered 10/16/08 12:34:52 by Sheah Rarback

A: The recommendation for healthy people is to have about 30-35% of calories in the diet come from healthy fats. So unless you have a specific condition there is no reason to avoid all fat. The healthy fats are olive and nut oils, avocados, nuts and canola oil to name a few. For more information on fat and foods I suggest you go to www.mypyramid.gov

Submitted by John Houlsby from Boca Raton, FL

Q: I just heard a story on WLRN about processed meats causing colon cancer. What's the difference between "processed meat" and any other meat? What kinds of things should a person eat to avoid getting colon or stomach cancer? Hope to hear from you. Thanks!

Answered 10/12/08 10:27:12 by Sheah Rarback

A: Processed meats are ones that are cured, salted,smoked, or preserved with nitrates. There have been research articles associating high intake of processed meats with stomach cancer. Another reason for minimizing/eliminating processed meats is their high fat and salt content. The best dietary approach to reduce risk of cancer is a plentiful intake of fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Lean protein sources like fish and chicken as well as, if desired, moderate amounts of lean unprocessed meats contribute to a healthy intake. Thanks for your question.

Submitted by Paula Schmitt from Wichita Fallls, Tx

Q: If a woman weighs 160 pounds, how many grams of fat should she consume in order to meet the recommendation, if she consumes 1600 calories a day?

Answered 08/07/08 21:29:59 by Sheah Rarback

A: If someone is eating 1600 calories a day, to have an intake of 30-35% calories from fat, they need to consume between 53 and 62 grams of fat a day. Of that limit saturated fat and emphasize monounsaturaed fat.

Submitted by HKG from Miami, Florida

Q: I prepare some meals for a grandchild with multiple and severe food allergies. I once saw a recipe for pumpkin pie that substituted soft or silken tofu for eggs. Can you tell me how I would subsititute tofu for eggs (if I can, that is) and considering that I will be using oat, rice or quinoa flour (no wheat, sorghum, barley, rye, buckwheat, etc). I don't mind experimenting with recipes if I know where to start. Thank you for any help you can give me. I don not want my name used if you reply in your online column or in print, but I will provide you with my name if necessary. Sincerely, HKG

Answered 08/07/08 21:27:00 by Sheah Rarback

A: This is a complex cooking question and I suggest you send this to our Food Editor.