DR. MELINA JAMPOLIS
Dr. Melina Jampolis is a San Francisco, California, physician nutrition specialist - a specialty practiced by only about 200 physicians in the United States. She focuses exclusively on nutrition for weight loss and disease prevention and treatment.
Jampolis believes wholeheartedly in the role of nutrition in preventive medicine and achieving optimal health. She teaches a realistic, balanced and manageable lifestyle-based eating and exercise program and has helped thousands of clients improve their health and well-being over the past several years. Her real passion is to bridge the gap between the experts who talk about the latest nutrition and diet research and the "real-life" food and exercise choices that people face daily.
She lectures throughout the country and has written for various publications about nutrition and weight-loss-related topics, discussing strategies for healthy holiday eating, healthy kids' snacks, easy breakfasts on the go and nutrition in the news. She is also the author of "The No-Time-to-Lose Diet: The Busy Person's Guide to Permanent Weight Loss." She hosted a program on the Discovery Network's FitTV titled "FitTV's Diet Doctor," evaluating different diet plans and applying them to real people.
A graduate of Tufts University as well as Tufts School of Medicine, she completed her residency in internal medicine at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a Stanford University teaching hospital. She is chief medical officer of www.smartnow.com (a health portal for women over 30) and a regular contributor and advisory board member for Heart Healthy Living magazine.
In her free time, Dr. Jampolis enjoys hiking with her dogs, mountain biking, tennis, golf, and Pilates. Visit her Web page: Drmelina.com
I am male, 55, 6 feet 5, 300 pounds. I am in good health (other than weight), active in biking and weight training but am interested in jogging. Am I too large to train for a 10K? Would that be detrimental to my joints?
I am a 48-year-old man who weight trains four times a week. I am thinking about taking creatine. What is your thought on this supplement?
I seem to have a pretty bad case of flatulence and have been reading about what foods may be contributing to it. It appears that a lot of my diet could be responsible. How does someone find the right combination of foods when most of my diet is on the "list" and still eat healthy? Not a big meat eater, I'll usually choose fish. I eat mostly (fresh) vegetables, (fresh) fruits and whole grain breads. Any help or suggestions you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Like everyone else, I am intent on losing weight in the new year. I am in my mid-20s, very overweight, and trying to change back to the healthy lifestyle I used to have. My specific concern is about walking in the cold, with a cold.
How can nutrition affect your health, as far as risk of Alzheimer's disease? I have a strong family history and want to do everything that I can to avoid getting Alzheimer's.
Does diet really make a difference when it comes to breast cancer?
I'm 16 years old, 5 foot, and 125 pounds. I would like to lose 15 pounds in one month. Is this possible?
Being a type 2 diabetic, I have too many different ideas coming at me. Do you have any advice on what diet to follow?
Hi, Dr. Melina. I was wanting your opinion on eating for your blood type. I am reading a book about it and wanted to know your thoughts.
I am a 24-year-old female who is a fitness enthusiast. I have been trying to lose some weight. My weight is 113 pounds ( it was 120 and I lost 7). Recently I got my BMI, lipid profile, cholesterol, etc., tests done and all of them are normal. I have a normal BMI of around 22. However, when I took a body fat test online, it says I have body fat of 38% and I am obese. I am extremely confused, as to which metric to trust and what should be my ideal weight (I have a small frame). Should I be around 100 pounds?
I have read and heard from other people that running and walking a mile burns the same number of calories. I have compared the two on a treadmill and the difference is astounding! Walking = 92, running = 158. I understand that treadmills don't show an accurate count of calories burned, but these numbers are so different. Is this true?
What can I eat to keep my skin looking younger?
I am obese and have been working on losing weight for three years. I have been working with nutritionists and personal trainers instead of fad dieting. On the Web, I stumbled upon the Paleolithic (Paleo) diet. Is this lifestyle change beneficial despite the promotion of saturated fats and cholesterol?
Hi, Dr. Melina. I read your response to a question a few weeks ago, and I don't think I have an eating disorder, but I feel like I'm addicted to food. Is there anything that I can do? I'm desperate to lose weight.
How good is coconut oil for you? Nowadays in gym and in vitamin shops, they mention to have some coconut oil in our diet. Is it supposed to be good for you? If yes, in what ways, and what are some good tips to use it in our diet?
I have a question/problem regarding overeating. Being a college student and food science major, I am constantly thinking about food. I currently play Ultimate Frisbee and occasionally play badminton and go running. I eat extremely healthy, but the problem is I constantly think of food. Therefore, I overeat, and I gained 16 pounds in less than two years. Is there any way to control my self-will? I would like to lose 10 pounds. I am 5 feet 3 and 120 pounds, but it's not like I can cut out unhealthy food in my diet. Eating less is difficult because I do not want to go into starvation mode. Quick advice please?
Since I had a baby at 44 after several years of fertility treatment, I personally have been struggling with addressing all that with the "no time" problem of new motherhood, career balance, etc, and yes, an extra 20 pounds gained pre-pregnancy due to fertility treatments. I bet there are LOTS of women out there who could benefit from some of your no-nonsense information and guidance on this issue, regardless of what point and circumstances they became new mothers. Any tips?
I have had a weight problem for 23 years. I have lost and regained over 400 pounds. My weight-loss doctor is offering the "sleeve." I have been told because of my gastroesophageal reflux disease that the Lap Band is not an option, nor is the more well-known gastric bypass because of a high family history of cancer. I have all the problems common in morbidly obese people, some I had even when thin. High, difficult-to-control blood sugar, blood pressure and a mild heart issue controlled by meds. The sleeve has been done only a few years -- can it be a good option for me?
I have some 2,000 IU vitamin D capsules that I am about to take. I'm a 60-year-old male, in pretty good health and not overweight or underweight. I'm also active. I've read that 2,000 is the upper limit for daily dosage, and I don't think I need to take that much anyway. The capsules I have cannot be split, so could I use them every other day and be OK? Thank you very much, and have a great week. I appreciate your site and the info.
I know that I'm sensitive to carbs but I wanted to know how sensitive I was to gluten. I had a test taken by a nutritionist, and it came out positive. So I wanted to get tested by an official M.D., which I did. He tested me for celiac disease, even though I told him I didn't have it. He didn't understand when I told him that gluten sensitivity has different degrees of impact. Was I misinformed? I always thought it was a spectrum.
I am 39 years old and petite (5 feet and weigh about 94 pounds). My doctor recommended that I work out with weights to increase my bone density, since my small size puts me at greater risk for osteoporosis as I get older.
I've been working really hard at losing weight since April, and I'm concerned about all the food temptation over the Fourth of July weekend. Any suggestions?
I have celiac disease (gluten intolerance), and I am wondering how to lose weight given my restrictions in my diet.
What are your thoughts on the latest release of the 'dirty dozen' fruits and vegetables list, released this week by the Environmental Working Group?
I recently starting tracking my calories, carbohydrates, fat, and protein. So far I have been meeting all of my goals except for the amount of fat grams. Do I need to meet a minimum number of fat grams? If so, what are some healthy options to get enough fat grams into my diet?
I have two questions. What is considered to be a high/harmful amount of phytoestrogen in a woman's diet per day? And should a woman who has had cancer not take estrogen replacements or eat a diet high in phytoestrogens?
I am currently deployed to Afghanistan. I am rigorously training in the gym at night. Pre-workout, I am taking NaNO Vapor and then as a post-workout boost I'm taking the Muscle Tech's Nitro-Tech. How much protein should I be taking for my post-workout? That's all ma'am.
I recently had a baby and gained 32 pounds (BMI was 19.1 to start). I am eager to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight but am breast-feeding and can find little guidance on caloric needs and optimal diet to maintain breast-feeding but to also lose weight. Any Ideas?
Losing weight has always been tough for me. It's even tougher for me now that I'm in my 40s. However, I made a resolution for 2010, and with diet and exercise, I've managed to lose 35 pounds. I've managed to lose weight through grit and determination. The problem is, I am always hungry and my appetite is ravenous, difficult to satisfy. I want to eat until I'm full EVERY TIME I eat. If it wasn't for force of will, I would continue to eat and pack the pounds back on. Is there anything I can do to fight the hunger? I try to snack on things that are healthy, but it seems no matter what I snack on, I get penalized with putting weight back on. I worry that if the only thing I have going for me is grit and determination, that might not be enough to stay in the fight.
I just bought a home carbonator. Is there any danger to drinking carbonated water instead of still water? Some Web articles state that carbonated water does not flush toxins like still water -- that it causes kidney stones because it is harder to digest and that it leaches calcium from the bones.
What do you know/say about chia seeds? Are they really a "superfood?"
I'm 23 years old and a fairly active person who has been in training as an amateur boxer for some time now, and I'm trying to improve my cardiovascular strength and stamina. I've been running outdoors quite regularly (every day to every other day), but I seem to have "topped out" my cardio strength. I was wondering if there is a more effective way to further improve on this. Is it better to run longer distances but at less intensity or vice versa? Do you have any other recommendations?
My daughters ask for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast several times a week, instead of the whole-grain cereal we offer them. This seems awfully sugary to me. Is this nutritionally OK?
I was wondering what the professional opinion on Vitamin Water is. How can it be zero calorie when it has over 5g of carbohydrate per serving? Also, should I be concerned about vitamin toxicity? I know most of them are water soluble, but could I accidentally be consuming a dangerous amount of things like vitamin C?
My 8-year-old daughter is about to begin the "Girls on the Run" program (a program where they train girls between third and eighth grade to run a 5K,) at her school. She would like me to make her the same protein shake after practices that I have myself after my workouts. (I make an 8-oz smoothie of skim milk, fat free vanilla yogurt and vanilla flavored natural whey protein powder. I do a combo of yoga, pilates and strength training.) I am not sure if this is something she needs or should have, nutritionally. Any advice or alternatives for her after her practices? She is convinced she needs something more than water because she does experience muscle cramps and has had shin splints before.
I live in a very remote location: Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. I have a hard time buying groceries that are healthy. There is no way I could get to the store even once a week. I end up buying in bulk: frozen (limited space), cans, dry just-add-water type stuff. Any suggestions for better eating?
How can I lose weight when I have hypothyroidism and I can't do strenuous exercise? My doctor is still adjusting my thyroid medication, so my TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is still high at 22. Added to that, I've got heart problems and have been told by my cardiologist not to do strenuous exercise! I do a lot of walking and typically do 10,000 steps a day. I've been doing a low fat 1,400 calorie diet with no result. I was thinking about a low-carb 1,200 calorie diet and upping my steps to 15,000 a day but I'm wondering what else I can do when I can't exert myself.
Losing weight has always been tough for me. It's even tougher for me now that I'm in my 40s. However, I made a resolution for 2010, and with diet and exercise, I've managed to lose 35 pounds.
What vitamins and supplements are recommended for people who have had weight loss surgery? And how much?
I am male, 55, 6 feet 5, 300 pounds. I am in good health (other than weight), active in biking and weight training but am interested in jogging. Am I too large to train for a 10K? Would that be detrimental to my joints?
My sister and I were talking about salt. She has noticed that sea salt is currently being marketed as a healthy, or trendy, food additive, but can't figure out if there's any real science behind the marketing. Are nonsodium salts, like magnesium chloride and potassium chloride, any healthier than traditional sodium chloride? People with, say, high blood pressure are told to stick to low-sodium diets. But is it the sodium, or is it a different quality that causes the increased risk?
How long does it take to feel the benefits of a gluten-free diet once diagnosed with celiac disease? I have been living gluten/casein free for over five years now and have yet to see much improvement.
Like everyone else, I am intent on losing weight in the new year. I am in my mid-20s, very overweight, and trying to change back to the healthy lifestyle I used to have. My specific concern is about walking in the cold, with a cold.
I am type 2 diabetic trying to create a daily diet, and snacks, food program that I can use to prevent getting the terrible sick feeling that comes when my sugar goes too low. I would like to store these foods and snacks in my home so that I can reach them when necessary. Please name the foods, and snacks, as well as the proper times to consume them. Also when is the time to take Metformin even if your readings are regular and you feel OK? Thank you for your answer to these questions.
I'm 5-foot-8 and 26 years old and started at 247 pounds and am at 203 pounds now, in about 22 weeks. I've seemed to stop losing weight when I used to average about two pounds a week. I've tried other exercises but almost to no effect. Any suggestions?
As a vegetarian, what is a good source of protein? Do I use protein drinks or protein bars and if so, could you recommend a good one? I do not eat fish or chicken or any seafood, etc. Basically, if it was alive at one time, I will not eat it.
I began taking an iron supplement because I thought I might have a case of running-induced anemia. It seemed to help, but now I wonder if I should continue taking the supplement or let it go. Am I getting too much iron?
My husband has adult-onset diabetes. He is 43, but was diagnosed about five years ago. His mother is diabetic as well. Both are very small-framed people who are not overweight nor very muscular. There is no doubt the disease is genetic for them.
How do I put my 11-year-old daughter on a diet? She is 50 pounds overweight, though she only looks about 20 pounds over. She has a lot of muscle. She plays sports year-round.
Can exercising with heavy weights make one lose hair?
Should elementary school age children be allowed to attend an adult group cardio exercise class? Some of the local Ys allow 9-year-olds with a parent, but how are adults in the class supposed to ensure their own safety as well the safety of a much smaller child?
Does wild game meat (deer, elk, antelope, etc.) cause the same health problems typically associated with red meat consumption or are its health benefits more akin to eating fish or chicken?
I'm 16 years old, 5 feet tall and 125 pounds. I would like to lose 15 pounds in one month. Is this possible?
Hi. I am being sent away for travel for two weeks. How do I eat healthy, knowing I will be eating out every meal?
I've noticed that I gained what I'm assuming to be water weight. I gained four pounds in a 24-hour period. I recently started a lot of exercise and weight training and was told that I'm not drinking enough water. I took two days of drinking at least three liters of water and just doing cardio and noticed that I went from 169 to 163, but the third day I checked my weight again and was back to 168. How is this possible?
I am 39 years old and petite (5 feet and weigh about 94 pounds). My doctor recommended that I work out with weights to increase my bone density, since my small size puts me at greater risk for osteoporosis as I get older.
I have a 9-month old and need to move to formula. When I looked at the back of the formula packages, I was shocked to learn that the first ingredient in of most of them was corn syrup solids. Isn't that sugar? What should I be looking for in a formula? I am a concerned mom just trying to do the right thing for my baby. Thank you.
My husband, who is 50, learned he had type 2 diabetes in March 2008. He also has hypertension. Are there any healthy alternatives to the processed frozen entrees we find in the grocery stores? I am trying to make him healthy foods but it is difficult.
I have a question regarding for lack of a better word, "man boobs." I've been trying to get rid of them for quite some time. They've been a problem since I was in high school. The rest of my body was not extremely overweight-- 175 pounds and 6 feet tall.
I have been a vegetarian and long-distance runner for about nine years. I am now wondering if re-introducing meat into my diet will help with recovery after long runs/races and improve my endurance and speed.
What do you think about rotation diets for food addiction and sugar addiction?
How do I put my 11-year-old daughter on a diet? She is 50 pounds overweight, though she looks only about 20 pounds over. She has a lot of muscle. She plays sports year-round. She is a picky, picky eater.
The USDA recommends nine servings of "fruit and vegetables" per day as part of a healthy diet. What am I missing if I get my nine servings by eating only vegetables and no fruits? Are there other things I can eat to specifically make up for the lack of fruits in my diet? I eat an otherwise healthy diet full of lean protein, veggies, legumes, and whole grains, but I am allergic to many fruits.
I've heard a lot about vitamins and supplements passing through the body unabsorbed, especially when in pill form. I've also heard that this can be a more common problem with low-cost and generic versions, even though the ingredient list is identical. My solution lately has been to crush the pill to powder and down it with some milk. Does this solve the problem or is there something inherent in cheaper supplements that inhibits absorption?
Do quick-cooking brown rice and regular brown rice have the same health benefits? Or is the quick-cooking brown rice no better than white?
Recently you had an expert on CNN recommending going to muscle failure during weight training. I do this for my bench presses but do you recommend going to muscle failure on the last rep of the last set for every exercise in one's weight routine?
I know that weight training is crucial to losing weight. What are good home exercises to do that fall under "weight training" when you don't have any weights besides 5/10/15-pound hand weights?
Which fruits are allowed for a diabetic, whose condition is controlled by diet only? No medicines are taken, except Glipizide 5 mg, ½ hour premeal at noon?
I find myself constantly hungry. On a typical day, I eat a small breakfast (one egg plus two strips of bacon, or a bagel, or leftovers from the night before). But I am hungry by 11 a.m. Usually, I can eat a whole Chipotle burrito for lunch and be hungry by the time I go home at 4 p.m. Am I overeating? Today I had a whole 12-inch pizza to myself, regular crust with three toppings! I am a 5-foot-7 dude and I weigh 140 pounds but I don't think I am healthy. Should I eat less? (I don't drink sodas and I avoid things with high sugar/fructose corn syrup content.)
Should middle-age guys who rarely drink milk take a calcium supplement?
I am a 23-year-old female. My doctor has recommended that I increase the hemoglobin level and increase body mass index. How do I do that without increasing cholesterol and fat level in the body?
I'm a 58-year-old diabetic whose A1C is less than 6. I would like to lose about 25 more pounds. I watch what I eat and walk about 2.5 miles a day but my weight stays around 158. Would having a resting metabolism rate test help with the weight loss?
Hi. Since I can remember (3-4 years old), I have not eaten most fruits and vegetables (bananas, tomatoes and a few others are exceptions). Now that I am over 30 years old, is there any hope to "re-learn" how to eat?
I had gastric bypass six year ago and lost 150 pounds and had kept it off. A year ago, I began a desk job for the first time in my life. I have gradually gained about 35 pounds. I have what some consider an alcohol problem since the weight loss.
What kind of breakfast can I prepare for a 6-year-old who doesn't like cereal, oatmeal or eggs? I want to make sure she gets a healthy breakfast but without the eggs and cereal it is kind of impossible. Thanks
What kinds of exercises are safest to do while pregnant? How much is too much, especially early in the pregnancy vs. later on?
I'm a senior on a fixed income. I can't drive and have only partial use of right arm because of stroke. Now my doctor tells me to get on a low-fat, low-sodium, low-carbohydrate diet. I have about $150 a month to spend on "kitchen" items, including taxi fare, detergent, paper towels, etc. I've done some online searching, but have not come up with an affordable, easy-to-prepare menu. Any help out there?
I have repeatedly heard about the hCG diet, with many claims about tremendous weight loss on a very restrictive diet and the hCG oral drops. I have been skeptical of the results, even though there are many avid fans. Is this a good diet for people needing to lose 20-30 pounds?
What is considered a "whole" soy product? I think this is edamame and tofu. But where do soy milk, soy yogurt and soy ice cream fit?
I have heard and read very much about acai berry and still am very skeptical of its effects and the success stories. I would like to know whether you would recommend it to your patients who are interested in weight loss.
As 2010 kicks off, CNNHealth Diet & Fitness expert Dr. Melina Jampolis urges you to think beyond calories and working out and focus on bigger changes that could help you live a healthier life.
They say that wild salmon is best, but what if you can't always get wild salmon? Is it safe to eat farm-raised or do you just not eat it ? I see farm-raised from Canada and always think maybe that's better, but is it?
I need more information on the stretching that girls can do to help prevent injuries. I am a dad who has three athletic daughters; we are working on volleyball right now. How do I get a DVD or something that will help me teach my kids these stretches and jumps to help prevent ACL injuries? I am also 45 years old and have already had my left knee replaced because my ACL was destroyed and my knee degenerated. I know the pain involved in that; I don't want my daughters to have the same problem. Please help. Thank you so much.
I have torn meniscus in each knee and it gives me pain when I exert myself. I have been through physical therapy three times and several doctors. They just keep referring me to physical therapy. It doesn't seem to help. How can I get 30-60 minutes of cardio every day with greatly limited use of my knees?
What are my options for a nutritious breakfast? Cereal doesn't feel healthy any more, and neither does a "bacon, egg and cheese." What should I eat to stay healthy and fit ?
I am a type 2 diabetic. My glucose levels are tightly controlled with diet and exercise (no medication). Otherwise I am in good condition. I would like to run a marathon, but I have questions about appropriate nutritional options. The typical high-carb diet of many runners probably isn't a good option for me. I haven't been able to find any useful info on the Internet. Can you provide any advice or links to helpful sites?
I have breast cancer and have been through surgery (lumpectomy). Most recently, I have had radiation. Now that it's over, I am wondering if I should take a vitamin, and if so, what would be a good vitamin for me?
Instead of answering a viewer question this week, CNNHealth Diet & Fitness expert Dr. Melina Jampolis offers her thoughts on confronting the dietary temptations of the holidays.
I can't do a pushup or pull-up because of rotator cuff and carpal tunnel issues. What kind of exercise moves can I do instead that will get me the same sort of gains? Thanks.
Is phentermine safe to use? What drugs does it have a negative interaction with?
"60 Minutes" had a story several months ago about a type of weight-loss surgery that seemed to also cure type 2 diabetes in many people. Has more research been done on this? Do you need the full bypass of about one-third of the small intestine or just the duodenum and jejunum? My weight problem came about with/after diabetes, not before.
I was wondering if substituting sugar for honey is a healthy trade-off? Are the types of sugar and antioxidants in honey worth the 70 calories per serving, or if I'm trying to lose weight, should I cut out sugar altogether, including honey?
What are some healthy snack choices that college students can store in their dorm room?
You said that one of the few supplements you take is fish oil. With all the buzz about the benefits of antioxidants today -- and the tenet that "too much of anything is not good" -- can you get "too much" antioxidant?
I have seen many weight loss DNA testing kits on the Internet. These tests claim to identify the best weight loss program by analyzing your DNA. Is there any merit to this?
Can you eat an unlimited amount of walnuts, almonds, etc. every day?
Hi, I'm looking to lose 15-20 pounds in the next month to six weeks. Is it really possible to do so just by exercising (dumbbell curls, running on the treadmill) for about two hours every other day along with staying away from fatty foods?
Can eating too much fruit keep me from losing weight? Am I consuming too much sugar?
Because of the complexity of this viewer question, three of CNNHealth's expert doctors are offering their advice. Read insights from Living Well expert Dr. Jennifer Shu here. Check back Tuesday for thoughts from Mental Health expert Dr. Charles Raison.
Want to know more about this article or other health related issues? Ask your question and we'll post some each week for CNN.com reader to discuss or for our experts to weight in.