Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Which fruits and vegetables contain the most pesticide residues?

    There are certain foods that you should try to buy organic as much as possible. These fruits and vegetables that have been found to contain high levels of pesticide residues. In 2006, the Environmental Working Group released an updated report that identified foods in the conventional, non-organic food supply that contained the highest number of pesticide residues. The worst offenders, which were nicknamed the "dirty dozen," included:

    • Apples
    • Bell peppers
    • Celery
    • Cherries
    • Grapes (imported)
    • Lettuce
    • Nectarines
    • Peaches
    • Pears
    • Potatoes
    • Spinach
    • Strawberries
  2. Will carbohydrates make me fat?

    No. Carbohydrates don’t make people fat. Excess calories from any source, whether they are from carbohydrates, protein, or fat, will cause weight gain. Frequently exceeding your daily caloric needs will cause your body to store extra fat.

  3. How much Omega-3 fatty acids should I be getting in my diet?

    The Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences has not yet issued any Dietary Reference Intakes for omega 3 fats. Recently, however, the National Institutes of Health recommended that people consume at least 2% of their total daily calories as omega 3 fats. To meet this recommendation, a person consuming 2000 calories per day would have to eat at least 2 grams of omega 3 fats per day. Many nutrition experts believe this is not enough and recommend at least twice that amount. Walnuts, flaxseeds, beans, fish, olive oil and winter squash are some great foods that will provide you with concentrated sources of omega 3 fats.

  4. Are you available for private counseling?

    Yes. When you are ready to make permanent changes to your diet, our nutritionists can meet with you to provide one-on-one counseling. Depending on your unique situation, we can prepare customized nutrition recommendations and eating plans with specific strategies to help you reach your goals. We also support you along the way with frequent follow-up consultations for as long as necessary.

  5. Can you give an example of an employee weight management program at work?

    After determining the needs and interests of the participants, a program will be created which includes a series of weekly meetings. Each meeting will address a different topic and will have an educational component as well as an activity. Some topics include “Carbohydrate – Essential Fuel,” “Fat – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” “ Insulin, Metabolism, and the Glycemic Index,” “Cancer Prevention Through Diet,” “Menu Planning,” and “Evaluating Health and Diet Claims”, to name a few.