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 out more at the Dr. Gourmet web site. Eat well, eat healthy, enjoy life!

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Fish vs. Mercury : Dr. Gourmet's Health and Nutrition Bites

I get asked this question pretty regularly: “I know I should eat fish, but what about the mercury contamination?”

It’s a fair question and there is some cause for concern. On the one hand, we know [...]

Foil vs. Parchment; Rolled Oats vs. Steel Cut; More : Ask Dr. Gourmet

Dear Dr. Gourmet,

Q: I really enjoy trying some of your recipes; I am a cancer survivor and am always looking for healthier food ideas. Your recipe forĀ Salmon in Parchment with Mangoes – is it possible to use foil for the pockets instead of parchment?

More on Sugary Beverages and Your Health

Last week I shared an overview of current research on sugar-sweetened beverages. These beverages include soft drinks such as sodas or colas, sweetened fruit drinks (not those that are 100% juice), and energy and vitamin water drinks. This week I have what is known as [...]

Sugary Beverages and Your Health : Dr. Gourmet's Health and Nutrition Bites

I’ve been saying for years that folks should avoid drinking soda if only because of the extra calories. In the last few years a fair bit of research has been done on sugar-sweetened beverages and their contribution not only to weight gain but also conditions [...]

Will More Whole Grains Help You Avoid Heart Disease?

We know from one study that those who eat the most whole grains tend to have a lower Body Mass Index, a lower weight, and a lower waist circumference compared to those who eat the least whole grains. Whole grains have also been [...]

Short Term Splurge - Long Term Fat

Just this week I posted an article with my best tips for eating healthy during holidays. While holidays are a time to splurge – and that can certainly be part of a healthy lifestyle – what the end-of-year round of holiday parties means for many [...]

Acai Berry; Salt Substitutes; Salting : Ask Dr. Gourmet

Dear Dr. Gourmet,

Q: I am on the MAOI Parnate and I cannot have anything with tyramine in it. Could you tell me exactly what is in the Acai Berry fruit? I ordered the freeze dried berry in a capsule. I’m just not sure if I [...]

Alcohol-Free Beer: an Antioxidant?

Reading the academic research articles that we then write about here at Dr. Gourmet is not what I’d call reading for pleasure. They’re interesting, of course, but a bit dry, as I’m sure our Health and Nutrition Bites are. Now and then, however, [...]

Another Reason to Avoid Sugary Drinks: Dr. Gourmet's Health and Nutrition Bites

Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda, lemonade, sweetened fruit drinks and punches has been shown to be linked to obesity, leading to diabetes and heart disease. Being overweight is also linked to high blood pressure, which can also lead to heart disease, as [...]

Ask Dr. Gourmet: Diabetes and CHF

Q: My husband has type 2 diabetes as well as congestive heart failure. He is 67.5 years old, is 5′7″ and weighs 313 lbs. Is there a place where I can get recipes that deal with all three issues?