Go Ask Alice!: Fitness & Nutrition

Mac users: please note that our site is optimized for the Safari browser.

Fitness & Nutrition

	Fitness
		Working Out
		Burn more calories by swinging arms while walking? Does exercise rev up my sex drive? Exercising while injured Weightlifting 5 hours per day — too much? Train in the morning or at night? Altitude training: Does it work? Increased muscle with increased mileage? Does altitude affect calorie-burning? The skinny on cardio and muscle gains in men How do I slim down bulky, muscular thighs? Does exercising on an empty stomach maximize fat burning? Is there a proper workout order routine? Half-time snack for second half boost? No time for working out Is it better to eat before or after exercise? Track vs. treadmill Use it or lose it? The facts of detraining Fitting exercise into a busy schedule Okay to eat sugar-filled foods before sporting activities? Exercising with mini-trampolines and other “toys” Boosting my booty Spinning out of control? How soon after eating should workouts begin? Is it better to be fit and fat, or unfit and thin? Exercise for people with physical disabilities Health benefits of yoga Morning workout increases metabolism throughout the day? What's spinning? Sit-ups Are exercise equipment calculations reliable? Sports bras to help stabilize rocking breasts? Leg shaping exercises Dancing for health Best time of day to exercise? Firming up flabby arms Better to drink warm rather than cold water? I want slimmer thighs! Is it bad to eat before sports or exercise? Gymtimidation — intimidated by working out at health clubs I want a flat stomach! Gym manners Best thing to drink before a workout? After?
		Cardiovascular/aerobic exercise
		Long cardio workouts bad for losing fat? Altitude training: Does it work? What can I eat/drink to prepare for and during a long bike race? Training for a marathon Resistance training before aerobic exercise: Is this the right order? Which matters most for weight loss: speed or distance? Exercising beyond my maximum heart rate: Is this safe? Different nutrient and energy requirements for endurance and resistance athletes Can you predict your heart rate when exercising? Minimum and maximum heart rate for aerobic exercise Swimming: Good for weight loss? Shin pains from walking?
		Weight training
		Breathing patterns while working out How can I develop muscle symmetry? Exercising with bowlegs Resistance training before aerobic exercise: Is this the right order? Weight training: Do I need to change my workout to see results? Different nutrient and energy requirements for endurance and resistance athletes What's a healthy weightlifting schedule? Too young to weight lift? Do bodybuilders and other weightlifters need more protein? Wants to build muscle mass through weight lifting and a healthy diet Nausea from weightlifting Muscle soreness and weightlifting High carb snack good after lifting? Fat to muscle? Build muscle mass?
		Stretching and flexibility
		Is it okay to stretch when I am still sore? Health benefits of yoga Knee stretches Back-strengthening and stretching exercises Achilles tendon injury All Torn Up over Stretching Muscle cramps Shin pains from walking?
		Safety and injury prevention
		Sports bra chafing Safety when lifting to assist physically challenged son How can I strengthen my shoulders without (re)injuring them? Is it okay to feel lightheaded and dizzy after running? Is it okay to stretch when I am still sore? Dizzy after exercise Is soreness a good indicator of a good workout? Am I over-training? Future knee problems from running? Is rest the best relief for muscle soreness from intensive training? Tennis elbow? Groin chafes during exercise Coach withholds water during practice — Help! Back-strengthening and stretching exercises Achilles tendon injury What is chondromalacia? Side-Stitch Prevention? Pain in the calf All Torn Up over Stretching Beginning to exercise — Out of breath Nausea from weightlifting Exercise over 35 Muscle soreness and weightlifting Swim + Sauna = Red face Sore from running — injury prevention? Shin pains from walking? Jogging injury: Stress fracture
[back to top]

	Optimal nutrition
		Healthy eating
		Hate to cook — safe to live on smoothies? ALWAYS hungry! Breakfast: The first chance to fill your tank Nutrition facts label How do I know when I'm no longer hungry? I'm bored, so I eat Hunting for whole grains Eating at night = weight gain: Myth or fact? Breakfast ideas for thirteen-year-olds, and everyone else Dining out's effects on health Good vs. bad fats Still can't control cravings for sweets Hints for holiday stomach stuffers Helping a friend to eat healthier Fish-less omega-3 fatty acids Health benefits of fish oils Eliminate all body and dietary fat — healthy? Ooh, baby, I like it raw (or, is a raw diet healthy?) Is margarine really better than butter? Calories: Does it matter where they come from? Importance of eating breakfast Is juice as good as whole fruit? What's more important: Calories or fat grams? Nutritional differences between canned, frozen, and fresh veggies? How to eat your veggies, even if you don't like them How can I eat well at college? Fast all day and feast at night — healthy? What to eat? Food Pyramid — How much is a serving? Five or six meals a day vs. three? Ice cream for breakfast? Eating poorly, no exercise No time to cook? First-year fifteen — can it be avoided?
		Nutrients
		Hate to cook — safe to live on smoothies? Chocolate's antioxidant content? Food allergies and getting enough fiber Is wine a fruit serving? Conflicting nutrient values charts Health effects from ingesting too much vitamin C Complete and incomplete proteins in grains and vegetables? Confused about carbs: What's a good carbohydrate choice? Does cooking with cast iron pots and pans add iron to our food? Benefits of vitamin B-6 Fruits and vegetables that can protect against cancer Nutritional differences between soy- and cow's milk What's the main purpose of electrolytes? Beta-carotene in produce Calories: Does it matter where they come from? Is juice as good as whole fruit? Is it possible to drink too much water? Nutritional differences between canned, frozen, and fresh veggies? Pectins (Soluble fiber) One cannot live on water alone Benefits of eating fiber Why do we need vitamin A? Does carbohydrate become body fat? What's the difference between vitamins and minerals? Very low protein diet — Good for health? Beta-carotene "Good" and "bad" cholesterol Why are whole grains healthier? Antioxidants
		Supplements and ergogenic aids
		Goji berries — superfood, scam, safe? Dangers of beta-carotene and smoking? Spirulina: A miracle nutritional supplement? Airborne — does it cure/prevent colds? Is glucosamine supplementation for joints okay and effective? Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and weight loss? Growth supplements to make up for lost ground during puberty? Glutamine What's up with calcium supplements? Health effects from ingesting too much vitamin C Does cooking with cast iron pots and pans add iron to our food? Benefits of vitamin B-6 Lactobacillus acidophilus for diarrhea? Is wheatgrass as groovy as they say it is? Do "fat burners" really work? What is royal jelly? Fruits and vegetables that can protect against cancer Fiber supplements — safe to use every day? Are yams an adequate alternative to hormone replacement therapy? Timed-release dietary supplements Weight loss products containing hydroxy citric acid — Safe? Valerian Dolomite A sweetener called Stevia Amino acid supplements Weight loss with pyruvate or chitosan? Energy bars Echinacea Are there dietary supplements that promote healthy living? St. John's Wort To supplement or not to supplement my diet Iron, calcium, and constipation, oh my! Ginkgo and Blood Pressure Creatine monohydrate supplement for strength? Melatonin — alleviates jet lag? Large dose of vitamin E supplements — safe? Melatonin Chromium picolinate to boost metabolism? Kombucha — diet supplement? Vitamin supplements good for health?
		Vegetarianism
		Weightloss diets for vegetarians, and everybody How to stop being a vegetarian/start eating meat? Vegan eating Complete and incomplete proteins in grains and vegetables? Where can I find easy vegetarian recipes? Fruitarian teens: Are they stunting their growth, or just another boy band? Does vegetarianism affect teen growth and development? Nutritional differences between soy- and cow's milk Fish-less omega-3 fatty acids Pros and cons of vegetarianism Nutritional differences between canned, frozen, and fresh veggies? Vegetarian wants to bulk up with protein foods Interested in becoming a vegetarian Vegetarian - vitamin B-12 deficient? Non-meat proteins Vegetarian — Can't wake up in the morning Vegetarian — Hair loss?
		Food safety
		Calcium from hard water? Sucralose (Splenda) Is canola oil dangerous or is this another urban legend? What's that growing in the refrigerator?!? A guide for storing and eating leftovers Is reusing cooking oil safe? MSG: Troublesome food additive or fantastic flavor enhancer? Is decaffeinated coffee safe to drink? Food preservatives and additives Are plastic wrap and containers safe for microwaving food? What's up with waxy fruit — are they safe to eat? Risks of aspartame?
		Food for thought
		MSG intolerance — what foods to avoid? Foods with negative calories? Does warm milk really lull us to dreamland? Half-time snack for second half boost? Growth supplements to make up for lost ground during puberty? Nuts about nuts: Are some better for health than others? Soybeans — Can they help me lose weight? Do diet colas increase appetite? Does eating ice correct an iron deficiency? Chocolate — good or bad? Egg substitutes Bananas = fat? Nutritional value of carrot juice Avocados are fatty — are they healthy? Honey vs. sugar — Which is healthier? Air popped popcorn as part of a no-fat diet Milk -- Bad or good? Eating sugar makes me sweat — why? Refried and other canned beans — healthy or not?
[back to top]

	Weight gain and loss
	Slowing metabolism when I hit 30? "Diabulimia" — risky weight management for people with type 1 diabetes? Burn more calories by swinging arms while walking? Long cardio workouts bad for losing fat? Is the South Beach diet for me? Weightloss diets for vegetarians, and everybody Apple cider vinegar Weight loss and excess skin One big meal versus many small meals a day What do I do about my man boobs? Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and weight loss? The skinny on cardio and muscle gains in men To diet patch or not? I need an effective, short-term weight loss and toning plan Spinal cord injury, no mobility — how can I lose weight? What does body fat percentage mean? What's a healthy weight? Will skipping breakfast and lunch lead to weight loss? Do "fat burners" really work? Eating at night = weight gain: Myth or fact? Stomach stapling: A last resort for weight loss Weight loss tricks for big and chunky teens? Is it better to be fit and fat, or unfit and thin? How many calories does it take to lose one pound? Weight loss products containing hydroxy citric acid — Safe? Working out while wrapped in plastic — good for weight loss? Diet teas... or diet tease? Best exercise equipment for quick weight loss Weight loss with pyruvate or chitosan? Getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight Reduced fat and calorie diets: How low is too low? Sibutramine (Meridia) weight loss drug Liposuction — Permanent fat removal? Fen-Phen for weight loss The Zone diet Swimming: Good for weight loss? Slim Fast Weight loss camps? Herbal "diet teas" for weightloss — herbalicious? How to gain weight?
[back to top]

	Food choices and health
	Hate to cook — safe to live on smoothies? ALWAYS hungry! Chocolate's antioxidant content? MSG intolerance — what foods to avoid? Side effects of drinking seltzer water? Goji berries — superfood, scam, safe? Food allergies and getting enough fiber Eating soap — obsession Is wine a fruit serving? Switch to organic foods? Apple cider vinegar Blue corn chips — are they healthier? Microwave ovens decrease nutritional content of food? Ginseng — does it work? How? Peanut butter benders: Healthy? Replacing cow's milk with soy Mercury poisoning: Something fishy about too much tuna? Dangers of beta-carotene and smoking? Shellfish — cholesterol content? Carbonation milks calcium? Nutrition of dried vs. fresh fruit Hypercarotenemia Acidic food and tooth decay Food coma Nutrition of frozen dinners Cooking veggies and vitamin loss? Alkaline water — is it better for your body? Soy products and male impotence Why do people find fatty or sugary foods comforting? Fifteen, fearful about food, and reaching out Salt substitutes Benefits of flaxseed Eating healthy at the campus dining hall? Nutrition facts label Cholesterol screening test Which foods are acidic? What are the benefits of soy? Is drinking cold water harmful? Milk allergy or lactose intolerance? What does body fat percentage mean? Not enough salt = what? Allergic to peanuts = allergic to pecans? Soy and hot flashes — what's the connection? What's up with iodized salt - Is it better for you than regular salt? Is it safe for me to eat soy foods if I have hypothyroidism? Eating tips when heartburn hits (Acid reflux) Unscrambling conflicting info about eggs Meal planning for people with diabetes Is it true that eating too many carbohydrates can cause diabetes? Nutrition suggestions to promote recovery from surgery A bowl of oatmeal a day keeps the cholesterol at bay? Can drinking milk prevent osteoporosis? Allergic to eggs: What else can be used when cooking? What to eat with diverticulitis? Ooh, baby, I like it raw (or, is a raw diet healthy?) Foods plentiful in potassium Okay to eat sushi and yogurt during pregnancy? High potassium (Hyperkalemia) Could drinking too much soda lead to osteoporosis or kidney failure? Diets and treatments for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) Pectins (Soluble fiber) Lactose intolerance What can I eat after having my gallbladder removed? Fruit sources of iron Managing high blood pressure through diet Low triglyceride diet and exercise Diverticular disease (Diverticulosis) and Diet Low protein diabetic (renal) diet Not salt-sensitive Hypertensive -- Is salt still A problem? Beans cause gassy discomfort -- any relief? Concerned with Low HDL Calcium — how much is enough? Natural ulcer remedies? Breast cancer prevention and nutrition Low blood sugar Foods to lower LDL-Cholesterol? Campus dining and high blood pressure Calcium, milk, and osteoporosis Sources of iron Foods with folic acid Cholesterol-Lowering Methods Cancer and diet Heart Foundation diet? What are the health implications of low cholesterol? Do you have any information on cholesterol? Asthma and special diet? Gluten allergy — celiac disease or something else? Girlfriend with Celiac disease Young, have hypertension — how to cope? Women, calcium, and osteoporosis?
[back to top]

	Eating disorders
	Recovering from anorexia — what to expect? Can never decide what to eat. Anorexic? "Diabulimia" — risky weight management for people with type 1 diabetes? Eating soap — obsession Why do I choose not to eat? Recovering from Anorexia: getting my period back? Anorexia and constipation Teammate with anorexia Fifteen, fearful about food, and reaching out I want to recover from my eating disorder and need to learn how I'm worried about my friend who may have bulimia Is fear of dietary fat considered an eating disorder? I want to lose weight, but I'm scared I'll lose control and become eating disordered Am I bulimic, or is it just a phase? I have an eating disorder and need to gain weight, but how? Instructor concerned for student with possible eating disorder Is it possible for a black woman to have an eating disorder? Dancer thinks she may have an eating disorder Obsessed with building muscle (megarexia) Do I have an eating disorder? Partner is bulimic — what can I do to help her and myself? Eating disorders vs. normal eating Eating disorder support resources on the Web Laxative abuse — Any side effects? Do I have bulimia and will it interfere with my birth control pills? Am I anorexic? Desperation's Thin Face Men with eating disorders? How to help a roommate with an eating disorder Help with eating disorders while outside the U.S.? Too much Dexatrim? My family is worried — am I too thin? No period and underweight — Anorexia? Long-term effects of bulimia? Friend is anorexic-bulimic — help?
[back to top]

	Body image
	'Shrooms and LSD used to treat body dysmorphic disorder? What do I do about my man boobs? I want more curves Man with "women's" hips My boyfriend thinks he`s fat! Men and body image issues Boosting my booty Obsessed with building muscle (megarexia) Desires to feel more confident and sexy about self
[back to top]

	Miscellaneous
	About a soy... masculine traits affected by eating soy? Sold on sell-by dates? Skipping meals leads to headaches? What is the relationship between body composition and caloric need? The latest on hydration Kickstart for getting healthy eating and exercise plan in gear? Booty enhancing exercises Particularly picky eater needs help eating fruits and veggies Is it safe for children to drink sports beverages regularly, even when they're not exercising strenuously? Carbo loading Gourmet coffee talk: What's their calorie and fat content? Eating at night = weight gain: Myth or fact? Can fasting help purge the body of toxins? Do those electronic muscle toners do squat? Herbal teas tame the munchies, but are they a healthy substitute? Is it better to be fit and fat, or unfit and thin? Forgot to refrigerate leftovers — still okay to eat? Are exercise equipment calculations reliable? Best exercise equipment for quick weight loss Dancing for health Recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) of nutrients? The body mass index (BMI) and being overweight High potassium (Hyperkalemia) A healthy model is a model of health Food's travels through the body Exercise motivation... for stress reduction Enzymes Measuring your basic metabolic rate Ideal caloric intake? Serotonin and foods? Body fat — genetic? Getting off colas, sodas, pop, fizz,... oh, whatever The right weight for my height? Dodge Gym schedule Mountaineering grads? CU Move — Columbia's online exercise motivation and tracking program
[back to top]