Ask a Dietitian

As seen on BCTV November 17/98

QUESTIONS & RESPONSES FROM THE NOON NEWS HOUR

1. The easiest calcium supplement to digest and absorb is generally calcium citrate or calcium citrate malate. Taking calcium with meals should also help prevent constipation.

2. Tips for food and drug interactions:

• Avoid taking any medication with grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice can neutralize a digestive enzyme causing the medication to be absorbed too rapidly.
• People taking Coumadin, an anti-clotting medication, should reduce their intake of foods high in Vitamin K – spinach, cabbage and other leafy green vegetables, pork, liver and green tea.
  Check with a Pharmacist for further recommendations!3. Excessive protein intakes, ie. well above the Food Guide recommendations – can reduce the body’s ability to absorb calcium. However, due to the lactose and form of protein found in milk, experts generally agree that calcium from milk is readily absorbed. If a person had a lactose intolerance, this would not be the case.4. Nightshade vegetables include eggplant, potatoes, bell peppers, and tomatoes (So, Deb and I had half the list right on the show!!!) There are over 1700 varieties of herbs and trees that are considered to be in this family. Rumor has it that these vegetables should be limited by persons with arthritis. HOWEVER, this is NOT something that I recommend as it is not well supported by the research.5. Once one’s gallbladder has been removed, it is important to reduce fat intake by eating fewer fried and greasy foods. Eat small, regular meals and snacks throughout the day. Eat breakfast daily. Stay well hydrated and avoid excessive alcohol. Maintaining in a healthy weight range through regular ezxercise is also important!6. There are 7 levels of Macrobiotic Diets ranging from mainly vegetarian to simply brown rice only. This form of vegetarian diet can be healthy if a person eats the right amounts and combinations of whole grains, vegetables and seaweed, fruits, legumes, soy protein and nuts, seeds and fish. Wondering what the right combinations are? Someone following this type of diet strictly would indeed benefit from seeing a dietitian. Call us at 739-3290 or try the free nutrition line at 732-9191 or 1-800-667-3438.

  7. For kids who eat and eat and never get full, check the amount of protein they’re getting. Protein foods are more filling than carbohydrates. Ensure they have a good protein source at all meals – i.e. egg, lean meat, beans, nuts – and perhaps with their snacks too. Protein foods fill us up better than carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables and grains. However, whole grains are more filling than white, or refined grains. Also, ensure your kids aren’t drinking excessive amounts of juice!

Watch for the Eating for Energy segment every Tuesday on BCTV’s Noon News Hour!

Article written by Patricia Chuey and reprinted with permission