About Dr. Gourmet

My name is Timothy Harlan and I am both a physician and a chef. This blog is a general collection of information and random ideas on eating great food and eating healthy.

You can find more at the Dr. Gourmet web site. Link to http://www.drgourmet.com.

Eat well, eat healthy, enjoy life!

Recent Posts


This week's Ask Dr. Gourmet: Diet Soda vs. Water; MSG; More!

Q: My brother thinks that drinking Fresca is the same as drinking water. He is diabetic and takes pills to control his numbers. He is about 30 or more pounds overweight and he drinks about 6 cans of Fresca each day. I told him [...]

Hard Boiled Eggs; Baron of Beef; More : Ask Dr. Gourmet

Q: I am trying to prepare the best hard boiled eggs for friends. My procedure is to boil them for at least 10 minutes over a medium flame, then I let them sit and cool down so I can peel them. Now isn’t that the [...]

Cast Iron Skillets; Turkey vs. Beef; More : Ask Dr. Gourmet

Q: How important is the brand when it comes to buying a cast iron skillet? I know Lodge is probably the best out there, but I figure that since cast iron isn’t exactly high tech stuff, its perfections shouldn’t be too hard to duplicate. Are the cheaper [...]

Vitamins; Diets for Multiple Conditions; More : Ask Dr. Gourmet

Q: Is the product Vitamin Water Zero a hoax or does it have some redeeming value?

A: My opinion is that this is a scam. There’s no reason to take multivitamins except in some very specific cases and there’s no [...]

What recipe book or cookbook would you recommend for those with GERD / Acid Reflux?

Q: Can you please tell me what recipe book or cookbook you would recommend as the “best of” for people with GERD / Acid Reflux?

A: Right now there is no Dr. Gourmet book for those folks who have GERD [...]

What information is there about Coumadin (warfarin) interaction with grapefruit?

Q: There is information about cranberry juice interacting with Coumadin (warfarin), however, I would like to request information about the interaction of grapefruit with Coumadin (warfarin) and if it is contraindicated.

A: While cranberry juice is safe with Coumadin (warfarin), [...]

Egg Substitutes; Flax Seeds; More : Ask Dr. Gourmet

Q: Some cakes need up to 8 eggs… Can half of them be replaced with starch and will there be a big difference in taste?

A: Reducing the amount of eggs in baking can be a challenge. One can’t really [...]

Butter vs. Spreads : Ask Dr. Gourmet

Q: We’ve been eating Smart Balance buttery spread with extra virgin olive oil. Am really confused by what we should and should not be eating. This has palm fruit oil along with a lot of other ingredients. Is it wiser to eat butter, which [...]

Aluminum Safety : Ask Dr. Gourmet

Q: I am concerned about the use of aluminum foil. I’ve heard that it is an unsafe metal and it leaks into foods when cooked with. What do you think, do you have any information on this metal?

Substituting Goat Cheese : Ask Dr. Gourmet

Q: I have some goat cheese and I want to make a cheese spread or cheese ball. Can I substitute the goat cheese for the cream cheese which is in the recipe?

A: Goat cheese makes [...]