21 Most Frequently Asked Diet Questions

1. How much can you deduct for clothing?
   
   Answer:
   
   Medium thickness terry cloth robe - 2lb 9oz
   Flannel nightgown 8.9oz
   Blue Jeans 1lb 9oz
   Moccasin slippers 7.6oz
   
   
2. How much extra weight can you really attribute to being bloated just before your period?
   
   Answer: At the end of your monthly cycle your body retains water just in case it needs to increase its blood volume to feed a pregnancy. The range of wt gain is only about 8oz in extreme cases about 3lbs.



3. Is it true that celery is so hard to digest that it actually becomes negative calories?
   
   Answer: Celery is a low cal snack - about 6 calories a stalk but our bodies do not burn calories digesting food. If you are looking for a freebie drinking a gallon of ice water will burn 120 calories. It seems your body uses that much energy heating the water to 98.6 degrees.



4. What are some of the most destructive diets ever made popular?
   
   Answer: Any diet that focuses on one food group at the expense of others is unhealthful. The best diet is foods you can live with - complex carbohydrates, lean protein and moderate fats with plenty fruits and vegetables.



5. Which dietary problems can you blame on your mother?
   
   Answer: Weight is shared in the gene pool - heredity does have an enormous influence on whether you are overweight or not. However genetic destiny can be combated with self-control. Genes only allow you to accumulate fat if you overeat or under exercise.



6. With a beach vacation rapidly approaching can you realistically expect to lose 5 pounds in a month?
   
   Answer: 5 pounds a month is reasonable - simply cut 625 calories out of your daily regimen. Or you can cut calories by 300 calories/day and add enough exercise to cover the rest (1 hour walk)



7. How come there are times that you are religious about your diet and still don't lose weight?
   
   Answer: This can happen to someone who has been dieting for a while. If you have lost weight e.g.150 - 1500 cal/day and loses 20#. Now the weight is 130, but she stops losing because she has to readjust her diet downward. E.G. 1300 calories or increase her exercise.



8. I've always been under the impression that one pound of chocolate is converted to 5 pounds of body fat. What is the real story?
   
   Answer: Whether calories come from chocolate or carrots, everytime you accumulate 3,5000 extra calories they turn into a pound of body fat. One pound of milk chocolate contains approximately 2,350 calories. So assuming they are not use up as energy expenditure you could conceivably eat the pound of chocolate and an additional 8oz Hershey bar before you gained another pound.

Donna Tinnerello, MS, RD, CD/N.

Donna Tinnerello MS, RD,, CD/N is registered dietician with more than 10 years experience in HIV and nutrition. She works at Cabrini Medical Center in lower Manhattan,in private practice and the community.Her subspecialties are cardiovascular, renal, and gastrointestinal disease, diabetes and weight loss. Donna is available for private consultation by referral only.