I see so many diets that indicated that carbohydrates are fattening and you shouldn’t eat them. My understanding is that carbs provide the body with energy and without them, I would think we would be lethargic. What happened to the good ol’ days when there was a food pyramid where we followed a simple plan? Does anyone have any good advice?

I have been a vegetarian for 7 years. Coincidentally, my weight has been slowly rising for about that length of time. Part of the weight gain has to do with menopausal changes, but I know the biggest part is due to my diet.

MONDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- A punishing run in the summer sun deserves an ice cold beer, right?

And the just reward for a strenuous afternoon whipping your garden into postcard perfection -- how about a slightly chilled chardonnay?

Well, before you pop that top or twist off that cork you might want to consult a new report, called Alcohol Facts, that has the lowdown on the amount of calories and carbohydrates -- and alcohol -- in America's top-selling brands.

(HealthDay News) -- If you've noticed that you feel particularly sleepy or more energized after eating certain foods, that's because what you eat can have an impact on how well you sleep and how awake you are during the day.

Here are examples of foods that can affect your sleep, courtesy of the National Sleep Foundation:

* Carbohydrate-rich foods, such as pastas and breads, can make you more sleepy.
* Carbohydrates work well with proteins to induce sleepiness, which makes combinations such as peanut butter on toast, cereal with milk, or cheese and crackers good bedtime snacks.