Ask the Doctor with Dr. Gloria Ndagire

Dear Doctor,
What foods must some one feed on or avoid in order to minimise weight gain?
Samuel

Dear Samuel,
THE food we eat has an effect on how much we weigh and so it is wise to keep our weight in check by eating healthy. Our weight in turn has a negative effect on our health.

Foods that should be avoided include excessive amounts of sugar since this is stored as fat if it is not burned off as fuel during physical exercise.

Soda also contains a lot of calories and may cause weight gain. It is possible to lose two pounds per week by simply replacing three cans of soda with a more healthy drink.

Other weight gain foods include French fries, pizza, chips, sausages, burgers, milk, ice-cream, butter, mayonnaise, hotdogs, cookies, cakes, candy, milkshakes and waffles.

These foods have a high caloric content and so need to be taken in small amounts. Alcohol reduces the concentration of sugars in blood leading to an increased appetite and hence excessive weight gain.

Healthy foods include vegetables such as nuts, seeds, olive oil, wholegrain, pastas. Sweetened drinks can also be substituted with unsweetened drinks.

Fresh juice and water are good substitutes for soda. Remember that a healthy diet needs to be combined with exercise for the best results.