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