I recently heard that eating African mangoes everyday can help one lose weight? Is this true?

Whoever told you that must be a buffoon, idiot and an ignoramus fool. Sure African mangoes are delicious to eat, but there is zero evidence that these fruits can help you lose weight. In fact, the taste is so addictive that you will gain more weight by eating more mangoes. The only people who advocate mangoes as a weight loss aid are people trying to sucker gullible westerners with false claims. Similar fairy tales occurred a few years ago with acai berry, aloe Vera, papaya and so on. If you were to go to Africa, you will see for yourself, that obesity is rampant in many countries. There is nothing wrong in eating mangoes, but if you want to lose weight, start walking more and eating less.  

Does the Dukan Diet work for weight loss?

Experts indicate that the diet does not involve calorie counting and includes options for vegetarians. The diet has specific meal plans and recipes. However, the diet plan is very limiting and even recommends dodging of healthy foods like fruits, grain and nuts. Unfortunately, most low carbohydrate diets are not sustainable and most people tend to quit after just one week. Moreover, eating only protein diets leads to mood swings, extreme irritability, constipation and bad breath. 

In addition, protein diets are not ideal for people who have kidney problems, gout, high cholesterol or liver problems. In conclusion, the dukan diet is nothing special. The weight loss seen in the first two phase is pure water and likely to be regained when normal eating habits are resumed. The diet book costs $25. If you want to lose the cheap way and avoid restrictions of dietary plans, just walk more and eat less.

How does the Dukan diet work?

The diet is managed in several phases. The first phase, which lasts 1-2 weeks, is the attack phase where one only consumes protein foods that do not contain fat or carbohydrates. The foods can be seasoned and one can drink ample water and caffeine containing beverages. If you maintain this, you can lose 7-10 pounds.

The next phase is the cruise phase where one alternates with proteins and vegetables. The choice of vegetable is severely limited to lettuce, spinach, celery, cucumber and tomato. All vegetables are consumed either raw. steamed or in soups. You follow this phase until your target weight is reached. The author says people can lose at least 2 pounds a week in this phase.

In the 3^rd phase, one maintains the proteins and vegetables but is allowed one portion of fruit as well as 2-slices of whole grain bread daily. In addition, an additional serving of a carbohydrate like pasta or rice is allowed each week. In this phase, you are also allowed one "party" meal each week, which is increased to two once if you are losing weight.

In phase 4 or stabilization phase, this will be the lifestyle diet. You can go back to eating whatever you like as long as you follow the rules of the 2^nd phase. One day a week, you are supposed to eat only protein. Exercise is mandatory part of the diet program.

What is the Dukan diet for weight loss?

In the world of weight loss, the majority of diets have been developed by North Americans. This is of no coincidence because weight gain is a serious problem on this side of the continent. Now a French doctor has introduced the dukan diet, which has been quite popular in Europe for many years. Millions of people use the dukan diet for weight control and the diet is used by many celebs, including Giselle Bundchen, Bridget Bardot and Jennifer Lopez.

The dukan diet is centered around eating high protein foods, no fat and severely limits carbohydrates, including fruits, starchy vegetables, whole grains and legumes. 

I am a 5’.3” female, weigh 94 pounds and still can’t lose weight. I am exercising regularly and eat as little as I can. What else can I do?

How about some Prozac? You need to see a mental health professional. The problem is not with your body but your brain.

In general how many calories does one need everyday? I am a 27 years old female and weigh 149 pounds.

The calorie content is based on gender and weight. In general, the average non-obese individual will require anywhere from 1600-2200 calories. The higher number is for the slightly heavier person. Most experts go with the 1800 calories per day. To lose weight, one should cut down to about 1500 calories a day.

Are there any foods that will prevent hunger while i am on a diet?

Losing weight is difficult and no one knows how to cure the hunger pangs. Every Tom, Dick and Harry has a suggestion- so here is my two cents worth. The ideal foods when you are trying to lose weight are fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates. You really do not need to buy a book to know this. Eat raw vegetables and avoid too much lean meat. While nuts are recommended, they are also high in fat. So if you do munch on nuts, keep them to a minimum. If you eat vegetables and fruits, you really do not need to take any extra health supplements or vitamins.

I have high cholesterol levels and my doctor insists that I take a statin drug. I have read that a low fat diet may help. Is this true?

One would think that eating a low fat diet would lower blood cholesterol. Unfortunately a number of studies done on patients who undertook a low fat diet for 6 months showed no difference in cholesterol levels. Many other diets have been investigated but so far diet alone does not appear to have an impact on blood cholesterol. However, if you combine this with exercise, then cholesterol does drop. So if you do not want to take drugs, start an exercise program, cut down on your diet, and do not smoke.

I have a problem with bloating. Are there certain foods that I should avoid?

Many plants foods can cause bloating. Some plant foods generally are not digested well. When these foods enter the small intestine, bacteria degrade them and produce a lot of gas. This gas is responsible for bloating. Similarly, the excess gas is also passed out through the rectum.

Dietary fiber is commonly associated with bloating; consumer should not eat more than 20g of fiber per day as it leads to bloating. The best away to avoid bloating is to keep a diary of foods and avoid foods that cause gas.

Other foods known to cause bloating include drinking caffeine/cola beverages and artificial sweeteners. Individuals who have lactose intolerance also develop bloating when they consumer dairy products.

Vegetables that have a reputation for bloating include broccoli and beans. These foods are high in fiber and not well digested and always lead to excess gas production.

Is there a special diet I should eat to lose belly fat?

No, you can eat anything you want as long as you do not pile up the calories. However, common sense indicates that a healthy diet is important.  There should be no more junk food or high calorie foods in the diet. Learn to read labels, replace your diet with fruits, vegetables, and unsaturated fats. Increase portions of complex carbohydrates and reduce simple carbohydrates like white bread and refined pasta. Further, decrease the portion size or eat several small meals 5-6 times a day. Finally, drink water or fruit juices. 

There is no need to buy any books to follow this simple advice. The majority of dietary books on weight loss are frauds, offer advice which is not practical and just add up as junk in the home or as a replacement for firewood. Read less and start walking today if you want to lose weight.

Can I prevent gallstones with changes in diet?

Yes, anyone who wants to avoid gallstones and surgery should start to make changes in their diet. Majority of gallstones are made of cholesterol and calcium. So to prevent gallstones you should eat a low fat diet and avoid too many simple carbohydrates. This means less sugar, candies, chocolates and white flour based products.

Start with a diet which is rich in fiber and one that includes fruits and vegetables. Drink ample water everyday, keep your weight down, exercise and avoid excess red meat. If you still develop gallstones after this, then you just have plain bad luck