Expert: Sharon Erdrich - 11/7/2011

Question
There are so many diets out there today that it is confusing on which one will work for your personal and specific needs. I am 55 and finding losing weight frustrating. I have diverticulosis and my Gastroenterologist says I must be on a high fiber diet.  I have higher cholesterol and triglycerides than I need to so I need a heart friendly diet as well.  I have GERD and hiatal hernia which also causes some distress with swallowing and indigestion but I work around it for now. I was raised in the South so I love all the southern starchy peas, beans, potatoes, and bread.  I eat meat but not a lot of it unless it is chicken, fish, or turkey.  I need something I can STICK with and that will give me the health and weight results I so desperately need!

Kate 55 in Georgia

Answer
Hi Kate
You have a fairly complex health history which is outside the scope of this forum.  I strongly recommend you visit a nutritionist who can give you specific support.

Having said that, here are a couple of pointers:
- a high fibre diet, which is good for your bowel condition, is also good for helping to lower cholesterol
- for weight loss your mantra needs to be "White, wheat and wine = WEIGHT"!!  Sometimes the foods we love are our worst enemy.  
- I suggest you replace all those things you know are problems, with vegetables..  You may well find that your indigestion and reflux symptoms settle also.

All the best.