Q: I am getting ready to go for hip surgery at the ripe age of 27 after being hit by a car while walking through a crosswalk. Anyone know of some good foods to eat after surgery to increase healing? More

Q: At the suggestion of my doctor, I'm trying a 2-month food elimination diet to see if there are any unknown food intolerances that may be the cause of my chronic health problems. I'm looking for meal ideas (breakfast, lunch, or dinner!), since pre-planned meals will be the only way I can possibly follow this plan. There are numerous restrictions: no gluten, dairy, soy, corn, citrus, refined sugar, alcohol, or caffeine! Also, has anyone done the elimination diet? I would love to hear other people's experiences and suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Sent by Monica More

Q: I am a-gluten-intolerant and moderately lactose-intolerant vegetarian, and I am going to soon take an 11-hour bus (each way) to Toronto for a trip. I need to figure out two cold meals to take with me for the ride. More

Q: I'm cutting back on animal products by eating vegan more often. Since I'm not completely cutting out meat and dairy, I don't want to use substitutes. Where's a good place to get vegan recipes that don't use tofu, seitan, or other substitutes?

Sent by Carolyn More

Q: My husband and I are living in a furnished apartment in LA for three months. During our short stay there, we'll also be doing a lot of traveling. I'm worried about our eating habits. What are some short-term living kitchen tips I could use? More

Q: I'll be giving post-operation TLC to someone next week will have undergone nasal surgery. I need suggestions for easy to chew, simple foods to buy or prepare.

"Soft" foods that aren't thermally hot or heavily seasoned are recommended, and I figure there's only so much Jell-O this guy will be willing to eat. Smaller, more frequent meals as opposed to three square meals a day are suggested to combat nausea and fatigue.

Sent by Joey More

Q: At the cottage this weekend, I found little white worms and dead moths in my pantry! Yuck! According to my research on the web, what I have is an infestation of pantry moths. Can we discuss the different pantry pests and ways to destroy them?

Sent by Susan More

Q: Now that it's the holiday season, many people will be traveling away from home to celebrate with family and friends.

How can someone plan ahead and maintain a diet of healthy foods if your travels send you to a food desert with nary a vegetable in sight?

Sent by Marlene More

Q: I'm hosting a birthday party for a co-worker who is gluten-free and sugar-free and I have no idea what to make. The only thing I've come up with so far is a cake-shaped meatloaf with mashed potato frosting!

Sent by Britt More

Q: Help! My boyfriend needs to eat a high calorie (3000+ per day), high sodium diet for health reasons. In the past, he's mostly relied on ice cream and baked goods to get his calorie counts up. Unfortunately, he was recently diagnosed with a digestion issue that makes him miserable after eating sugar or anything in large portions. He's losing scary amount of weight as a result.

What do I make him that will be high calorie, low sugar, and easy to divide into smaller portions? Also, something that will fill me up, or that I could modify for myself (I am NOT on the 3000+ calorie a day diet!).

Sent by Sarah More