Q: I was wondering what effect eating late at night has on weight. Is it the same effect for everyone, or is each person different? And does eating a small amount during the day have a different effect on eating late versus eating regular meals all day, then eating late at night.
Jennifer, Tinton Falls, CA

A: There is widespread myth in our culture that eating late at night causes us to gain weight. This is untrue.

Q: What do you think of the new artificial sweeteners like Splenda?
Linda R., San Mateo

A: Stick to foods closer to their natural state. If you must have sweet, eat the real thing, in moderation.

Q: I am a 54 year old Social Worker and have been overweight most of my life. While I used to be able to stay on a diet for about 6 weeks, lately I’ve found I can’t even get started, and my bingeing behavior is on the increase. What’s the best way to stop a slip from becoming a binge?
Diane L, San Francisco

A: Let’s look at how we get ourselves to create a binge from a mere slip