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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Health and Heredity, Aluminum, Food Starch : Ask Dr. Gourmet Newsletter

Dear Dr. Gourmet,

Q: I have to ask if you think it is wise to propose using aluminum foil at all given the possibility of it perhaps, after long usage, contributing to Alzheimer’s? Apparently there is some concern about pots made from aluminum.

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 [...]

Caffeine and Atrial Fibrillation

You may not realize it, but your heart is an electrical system. Each beat of your heart is started by an electrical pulse of what is called the sinus node, which is in the upper part of the right atrium (the top section [...]

If It's In the House....

It may interest you to know that the food you keep at home provides 72%, by weight, of all food that you eat. This is assuming that you do not prepare most meals at home, however. If you do make most of your meals at home (breakfast [...]

Sweets; Raspberries; More: Ask Dr. Gourmet

Q: I have a terrible sweet tooth and my blood sugar is normal. I’m otherwise healthy and have no blood pressure problems. Can too many sweets cause me to become diabetic? Should I be concerned?

A: It is a myth [...]

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 [...]

HFCS; Cowboy Steak; Lean Body Mass : Dr. Gourmet Newsletter

Dr. Tim Says….

It is estimated that nearly 7% of daily caloric consumption in the United States is from high fructose corn syrup. This estimate has been labeled as conservative, with other studies indicating that over 10% of daily calories come from fructose in the U.S. [...]

Soda; Popsicles; Cumin Dusted Flank Steak: Dr. Gourmet Newsletter

Eating Healthy: Soda

[This article is part of The Real World Diet Coaching Program, an ongoing series on The How and Why of Eating Healthy. Read the whole series to date.]

It is clear that soft drink consumption [...]

Beverages for Acid Reflux : Ask Dr. Gourmet

Q: I just found out I have Acid Reflux Disease (after thinking it was a heart attack) and am now wondering what I can have to drink besides water. Can I balance a cup of coffee in the morning, occasional cups of tea and some [...]