Q.	My elderly parents have begun using sugar substitutes in place of real sugar in an attempt to cut calories, I am wondering which sugar substitutes are best and safest?
A.	I like to recommend Splenda, it is made from sucrose (regular sugar) and has proven to be safe in the testing done to date, it is also easy to bake or cook with.
Q.	I just found out that I am allergic to milk and I am wondering if I now need to take a calcium supplement since I have had to cut out all dairy products?
A.	If you like and can tolerate soy milk many of the soy milk's are fortified with calcium and can deliver your daily required dose, remember that foods like salmon, almonds and broccolli also contain calcium. If you do not consume soy products that have added calcium then talk to your Doctor or a Dietitian about a calcium supplement. Make sure to read soy milks carefully as many do not contain calcium, generally the refridgerated varieties have the most calcium content.
Q.	I have read a lot about the PCB contamination in salmon nd I am concerned, but my family loves it, is there a better way to prepare it?
A.	There are a few things that you can do to reduce your intake of these contaminants and still enjoy salmon. You can buy wild salmon or salmon trout. When cooking any type of salmon it is best to use a method that allows fat to drip off like BBQing or broiling, once cooked remove all skin, whitish liquid and the grey part between the meat and skin. Also canned salmon is a good choice as it is usually wild salmon.
Q.	My 5 year old daughter has a good friend with a severe peanut allergy, she often plays at our house but we do eat peanut butter in our house and I am wondering what steps I should take to ensure her safety while over for a playdate?
A.	Firstly, make sure that no one is eating peanut butter while she is over to avoid the risk of cross contamination in the kitchen, contamination from hands and airborne aromas. Make sure that you do not have bowls of nuts out in the house, always wash the hands of those who eat peanut butter after eating to avoid any getting on toys or furniture etc. Ask the friends mother to let you know what snacks are safe for her to eat or ask her to bring one along, make sure the mother leaves her Epipen (life saving epinephrin injection) with you, and that you know how to use it as well as a number to reach the parents. This is easy to accomplish and I applaude you for takling smart steps to welcome this friend into your home. Lstly double check with the parents to make sure that she is not allergic to anything else.

Lisa Weinberg is a registered dietitian/nutritionist in Toronto, in private practice and at the Genesis Professional Group.