No one in my family has ever had diabetes. Does that mean I’m not at risk for developing it? Although there is a genetic component to diabetes, it’s not 100 percent: Many people develop type 2 diabetes without having a family history of the disease. Conversely, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll develop the disease even [...]
What are some of the things people do (besides eating less) to help them lose weight successfully? That’s an interesting question. Most people, for obvious reasons, focus on food when trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. But behavioral scientists studying successful weight loss have found a few strategies beyond cutting calories that [...]
Since so many foods are fortified with folic acid, are supplements still necessary for women who are trying to get pregnant? Obviously, this is a question a woman needs to discuss with her doctor, but in general, all women of childbearing age are still encouraged to take a multi-vitamin or a supplement with at least [...]
Every week, I’m shocked at how high my grocery bill is. Please share any tips you can on saving money on groceries. Actually, agricultural economists don’t expect the cost of food to rise dramatically because of the drought, although you will see some higher-than-normal increases in meat and poultry, eggs, and milk. That’s because the [...]
I made a chocolate cream pie for guests this weekend. We left it out on the counter for most of the afternoon, and one of my guests told me that I should have kept it refrigerated, and since I didn’t, we should throw it away. Was she right? If you allowed the pie stay at [...]
What kind of oil is the best to use for heart health? I tend to use olive oil all the time, but I’ve been looking for alternatives. Many consumers wonder about olive oil these days, ever since a 2007 article in The New Yorker revealed that much olive oil sold worldwide as “extra virgin” doesn’t [...]
I need some inspiration to help keep me from gaining weight during the holidays. Any ideas? The temptations of the season often come not with glitter and sparkle, but with sugar, fat and calories. Fortunately, weight gain isn’t inevitable. In fact, most studies suggest an average weight gain over the holidays of about 1 pound. [...]
I have always stuffed our Thanksgiving turkey with homemade stuffing, but my daughter tells me it’s not safe. Should I stop? Would it make a difference if I used stuffing from a box? Cooking a stuffed turkey is potentially more risky than cooking one without, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection [...]
