Q: Which diet is better, low-fat or low-carbohydrate?

A: It all depends on what your goals are.

Choose lower-fat foods if you’re concerned about high cholesterol or heart disease. Such foods would include low-fat dairy, baked or grilled meats, baked/grilled or steam-ed veg-etables.

For dia-betes, con-sistent carbohydrates throughout the day are recommended, along with guidance from a doctor, diabetes educator or dietitian. Low-carbohydrate diets that contain high fat may lead to potential future health problems. For weight loss, the most important aspect is expending more calories than consumed. Exercise is a great way to accomplish this. For weight loss of 1 pound per week, decrease calories by 500 calories per day. The important thing to remember in meal planning is everything in moderation with a variety of foods to choose from. It’s important to consume whole grains, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, lean meats, low-fat dairy, nuts and seeds. Limit simple carbohydrates such as desserts and sugar, and consume more complex carbohydrates such as whole grains.

— Monica Weatherly, registered and licensed dietitian/nutritionist, Memorial Hospital

Readers: To submit a question for a professional dietitian, e-mail it to Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com.