Nutritious lunch of granola, cheese and fruit nothing to worry about

February 2nd, 2008

DEAR DR. GOTT: Please settle a very old argument I have with several of my family members and in-laws.

I am 52 years old, married with 2 daughters ages 25 and 19. I have a desk job so during the day I am not very active. I enjoy most sports but with a busy schedule don’t play much of anything anymore. Most of my physical activity comes from yard work and golfing (which I almost always walk).

The argument is about what I eat for lunch while at work. I usually carry-in four days a week and go out one day. When I bring lunch, it usually is seasonal fruits, cheese and nuts or granola. I drink water most days, but occasionally have a Pepsi. Breakfast generally consists of hot oatmeal or cold cereal. For dinner, my wife cooks an “old fashioned” traditional evening meal four or five days a week. The rest of the week we eat out, usually similar foods to what we have at home but occasionally pizza or other treats.

My family claims that my lunches do not provide proper nourishment during the day and insists that I need to eat a ham or other meat-based sandwich during the day in addition to what I already eat. Can you advise me if my lunches will adversely affect my long-term health? I am 6’1” and weigh 195 pounds. I get a full physical every 5 years (treadmill, EKG, blood work, etc.). My family doctor has not noticed anything about my physical health over the past 20 years.

DEAR READER: You diet appears to be healthful, balanced and nutritious. You do not need to make ham or other meats a regular lunchtime addition.

I have two recommendations.

First, because you are over 50 you should have a routine colonoscopy which needs to be repeated every 5 to 10 years in normal individuals.

Second, you should have a physical and blood work done every year. The EKG and treadmill can remain at 5 year intervals. As we age, our health can change more rapidly and to keep on top of any ailments and even to prevent them, yearly observation is the key.

Keep up with your lunches and show my response to your family. Perhaps they will take a page out of your book and start similar practices. Thanks for writing.