DEAR DR. BLONZ: Please address the variety of weight-loss programs out there: They all seem to rely on very different approaches, but all claim success and have celebrities pushing them. Questioning someone from one program about a competitor's approach earned me an earful of criticism.
I was in great shape in high school and college, being active in sports, but now carry some extra pounds. I am working on this with exercise and diet. I started two weeks ago and have dropped five pounds so far. There is nothing easy about it. Whether or not I join a program, how can I tell which approach is best? -- F.S., Tulsa, Oklahoma
DEAR F.S.: There may be different twists on the weight-loss theme, but each profit-driven program will have its pitch and its press agents -- plus star pupils to swear by their approach, while swearing at others. Impartial published studies have made comparisons of various programs, and there are not many clinically significant differences between them. The best plan is simply the one you're motivated to stick with.
To achieve, and more importantly, maintain, weight loss is far from simple, and there are realistic limits to what can be achieved. The essential element is to focus on health promotion and a lifestyle and diet that make sense for your life.
Former athletes are often at the receiving end of weight gain as time marches on. There can also be complications when midlife health problems, including structural issues, create roadblocks that keep them from maintaining their activity level. Problems develop if they fail to taper what they're eating during the activity slowdown. If you have attended high school reunions over the years, you've no doubt observed these changes in certain individuals.
It takes personal character to recognize the issue and return to a healthful diet and lifestyle, making that your new norm. The bonus will be better health, irrespective of the final numbers on the scale.
DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have benefited from reading your articles for many years, but your recent column on fructose needs clarification. Kindly explain what you mean by "excess" fructose.
I am 92 years old, with controlled Type 2 diabetes. I have cut down on red meat and increased my intake of fruits, nuts and vegetables. However, I am worried about too much fructose. -- A.A., Walnut Creek, California
DEAR A.A.: Thanks for your comments, as well as your question. The adjustments you have already made are in line with commonsense, evidence-based recommendations. Any concerns about fructose should relate to that which is purposefully added to foods, especially processed foods, and not that which is naturally present in whole fruits and vegetables. Those whole foods should remain part of your balanced diet.
It is not until you get over 50 grams a day of fructose -- which would be over 10% of the energy in a 2,000-calorie diet -- that you slip into the treacherous land of fructose excess.
Send questions to: "On Nutrition," Ed Blonz, c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO, 64106. Send email inquiries to questions@blonz.com. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.