EAT WRITEANITA BEAN ANSWESALL YOUR NUTRITION QUESTIONS

Q. My husband loves meat. Is it healthy to eat it every day?

A. He could safely eat up to 500g of meat a week — the same as three medium steaks, or 50g a day of processed meats like burgers, sausages or bacon — that's three bacon rashers or one sausage. More than this increases the risk of bowel cancer, according to the World Cancer Research Fund.

Q. Are artificial sweeteners bad for children?

Artificial sweeteners don't cause decay in children's teeth but they do encourage sweet tastes, which can lead to obesity. The Government says sweeteners are safe, but some scientists think high intakes may be linked to brain tumours and migraines.

EAT WRITEANITA BEAN ANSWESALL YOUR NUTRITION QUESTIONS

Q. Is microwaving food bad for you?

A. Government agencies claim it's safe but very few studies prove this. Swiss researchers say microwaved food may lower white cells in the blood, making you more susceptible to infection. A study published in The Lancet suggests microwaving may reduce the nutritional value of baby's milk, while in 2003 research found that microwaving broccoli destroys 97 per cent of its cancer-protecting antioxidants. My advice is to use the microwave in moderation, not for cooking whole meals. Steaming is a better way to preserve goodness.

Q. I never eat dinner before 8.30pm. Is this bad for me?

A. No. It's a myth that you shouldn't eat after a certain time or that you'll put on weight if you do. What matters is your total calorie intake over the day. If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you'll lose weight, even if you eat after 8.30pm. Setting an eating curfew simply helps some people avoid overeating.

Q. I'm breastfeeding and hope that will help me lose my baby weight. Is it OK to diet at the same time?

A. It's fine once your baby is about two months old and feeding is established. Don't go to extremes though, and allow yourself 10 months to a year to return to your pre-pregnancy weight. Don't consume fewer than 1,500 calories a day, and get plenty of protein and fluid.

Superfood of the week: Beetroot

Rich in folic acid, iron and vitamin C, it's an immunity booster and increases the production of disease-fighting antibodies and white blood cells. It also contains betanin, a powerful antioxidant.

EAT WRITEANITA BEAN ANSWESALL YOUR NUTRITION QUESTIONS

Q. How fresh are frozen veg – and are they as good for me as fresh?

A: Frozen vegetables are typically blast-frozen within four hours of picking, so virtually all their goodness is preserved. An Austrian study found that not only is the vitamin content of frozen veg substantially higher than that of fresh imports, it's also less contaminated by pesticides and fertilisers because it can be grown in season.

Q. Do anti-ageing supplements really work?

A: Various new anti-ageing supplements contain idebenone, pycnogenol, coenzyme Q10, L carnitine and collagen, which manufacturers claim will smooth out wrinkles. Sadly, the truth is there's little evidence these supplements work. They may mop up ageing free radicals in test tubes, and some have been tested on mice, but that isn't proof they'll have any effect on humans. Buy fruit and veg, nuts, tea and red wine instead –they contain all the antioxidants you need.

Q. I've seen drinks that claim to have added fibre in them. Will they do me any good?

A: Products such as Fibresure contain inulin, a form of fibre derived from chicory that has no flavour when added to water. They can boost your intake of fibre and improve digestion, but it's best to increase your intake of fibre naturally by eating more wholemeal bread, lentils, oats, beans, fruit and veg.

Superfood of the week: Yoghurt

Yoghurt is packed with protein and B vitamins and satisfies hunger more readily than other foods. Its high calcium levels help speed up your metabolism to make your body burn fat faster.

EAT WRITEANITA BEAN ANSWESALL YOUR NUTRITION QUESTIONS

Q. Is it true that someone died from drinking too much water during the London Marathon? I'm running it next weekend.

A. You're right, a runner did die from drinking too much water last year, but hyponatraemia (where too much water in the blood causes damage to brain cells) is very rare. That said, instead of advising you to drink as much as you can, experts now say to obey your thirst, but never force yourself to drink. Also, stop drinking if you have a queasy, sloshy feeling in your stomach. Good luck next Sunday!

Q. I've read that Madonna has vitamin injections. Are they better than pills?

A. Madonna reportedly has injections of vitamins B6 and B12 to boost her energy. But taking more than 10mg of B6 a day may lead to numbness and pins and needles. There's no reason why injections should be any more beneficial than supplements.

Q. I've heard some US states have banned unhealthy trans-fats. How come they're still allowed here?

A. Trans-fats are the unhealthiest fats you can eat and are found in fast foods, biscuits, cakes and sweets. They've been linked to a raised risk of heart disease, diabetes and even certain cancers. But UK food watchdogs have no plans to ban them here. So it's up to you to avoid them. Check labels for the words 'hydrogenated' and 'partially hydrogenated' fats.

Superfood of the week: Tofu

It's made from the curds of soya beans and is low in fat. It's rich in protein, minerals and isoflavones, which act as a form of oestrogen, helping balance female hormones. Isoflavones also reduce cholesterol and so help keep your heart healthy.