Q: From Aug to March of last year I lost 65 pounds on the Medifast diet which is typically less than 1000 calories per day.
But recently, due to various usual work frustrations, holidays, etc. my weight has crept back up about 5-8 pounds. I want to shed this weight plus a little extra to make sure I’m well into my healthy BMI range. I suspect that my metabolism is pretty low from following that diet for so long, and it seems like the only way to lose this excess is to go back on Medifast, due to my body being used to so few calories.
I’ve done this (Medifast) without much success so far for the past month or two. But I’m tired of it! The profile I created on The Real World Diet shows I should consume 1500 calories per day, but it seems like if I consume 1500 calories per day, I’ll either not lose any weight or maybe even start gaining! I feel like I’ve shot myself in the foot. Am I stuck with restricting my calorie intake to less than 1000/day?
A: While I am not a fan of diets like Medifast, it does work for some folks. There are the issues with such diets of slowed metabolism when being on so few calories. Another concern of mine is that the programs seldom spend enough time teaching folks how to transition back to healthy eating. Consequently, there is often a creeping weight gain once you end the diet.
You may do very well on The Real World Diet. The planner chooses a calorie target based on your height and weight. The computer is not, however, a doctor or dietician sitting in a room with you discussing all of the factors that go into the amount of calories you eat vs. exercise, your likes and dislikes, your precise Body Mass Index, Waist to Hip Ratio, etc.. It may be that you will do better at 1,200 or 1,000 calories for a short period of time while you lose the 5 – 8 lbs. and get to your target and that the 1,500 calories is a good target for you to maintain your weight. This is why there is the option of selecting the number of calories yourself. Check with your doctor….
Q: My daughter lives in Italy, in the Puglia region (southeastern coastline). They can not get goat cheese. What could she use to substitute for goat cheese in recipes?
A: There would be a number of great choices for your daughter. The key is for her to look for a soft, creamy cheese that is made with a reduced fat milk. Because goat and sheep milk is naturally low in fat, they work well….
Q: I recently learned that I am pregnant. I would like to know where I can find a reliable list of the vitamins and minerals I should be getting, and the foods I should be eating. I would rather get these vitamins from foods rather than supplements; is this possible? Which option do you think is better? Is there a “pregnancy diet” I can follow that will ensure I am getting the proper nutrition for me and my baby without gaining unnecessary weight for the next nine months?
A: Congratulations on your pregnancy.
It’s a wonderful coincidence that you have written because we are just now preparing a section of the Dr. Gourmet website dedicated to eating healthy during pregnancy. We have asked a nurse I know who specializes in caring for pregnant women to write articles on healthy diets in pregnancy. Here’s an excerpt from one of her recent articles….
