Welcome to your health questions, answered.

In this section, SDNN and a range of local experts answer your burning health and wellness questions – everything from exercise, diet and fitness to health and body issues. We’ll crack the myths, correct the contradictory information and put truth into the hearsay that is so often a part of the wellness world.

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What do you want to know? Get a professional’s opinion and send your questions to health and wellness editor, Jennifer Reed, at jennifer.reed(at)sdnn.com.

Answering this week’s questions is Kelly Dutcher, R.D., Wellness Education Specialist with Sharp Weight Management and Health Education.

Q. Are smoothies really healthy for you? I heard they have a lot of sugar.

A. Kelly says: This is a tricky question. If containing the right ingredients, smoothies can be a healthy choice for a meal replacement. Some smoothies can be high in sugar if they contain sweetened fruit, juice or added sugar. When choosing a smoothie, look for one that has fresh fruit (without added sugar) and protein that will help keep you full. Be careful at smoothie stores – one 20-ounce drink can often cost you 400 to 500 calories. Add a baked good and you can take in close to 1,000 calories! Instead, make your own smoothie at home with 8 ounces of non-fat Greek yogurt, one cup of any fresh or frozen fruit and blend with a couple cubes of ice.

Q. I never have time to eat breakfast in the morning. How unhealthy is this? What can I eat that is good on the go?

A. Kelly says: Skipping breakfast can be detrimental to your weight management. Research shows that people who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight than people who eat breakfast regularly. Ideally, you should eat breakfast within in one to two hours of waking up. It’s called “breakfast” because you are breaking the fast from sleeping all night and going for a long period of time without eating. Skipping breakfast will often lead to overeating at lunch. Not only will you overeat, but you are more likely to choose high fat, high sugar foods. If you don’t have a lot of time in the morning, grab something quick and easy on the way out the door. Some ideas include:

• String cheese and an apple

• Non-fat yogurt with one tablespoon slivered almonds

• Slice of whole wheat bread with 1 Tablespoon natural peanut butter wrapped around a banana

• 1 ounce high fiber cereal (my favorite is Kashi Cinnamon Harvest) with 1 cup non-fat milk

• 1 cup cooked oatmeal with frozen berries