ADVICE Q&A

'I drink four to five cups of tea or coffee with milk and xylitol every day. Could this be why I'm not losing weight?' Clinical nutritionist Ruth Marcus answers readers' questions.

- RUTH MARCUS

Q Should I weigh myself every day, or is that considered obsessive?

A There is no 'prescription' for how often to weigh oneself. Some believe in weighing once a week because day-to-day fluctuations in weight can be frustrating. Others prefer to weigh every day because they find it helpful to see the daily fluctuations and possibly using them as indicators for modifying their eating plan. Women also may experience weight gain a few days prior to their menstrual period. Again, some may choose to avoid the scale at that time, whereas others find it helpful to track their progress. Overall health encompasses so much more than the number on the scale, so don't obsess over what the scale tells you. Rather focus on decreasing in size than in mass. If your jeans are starting to feel loose, you'll know that you're on the right track!

Q How is a food intolerance different from a food allergy?