DEAR DOCTOR K: For 20 years, I’ve substituted artificial sweeteners for sugar in my coffee, and switched to diet soft drinks to avoid obesity and the diseases that overweight people are prone to, like Type 2 diabetes. Now I hear that new research says that’s a bad idea. What is going on? DEAR READER: Here’s what’s not confusing: More than a modest amount of sugar each day is not good for you. Nothing’s changed there.

DEAR DOCTOR K: You’ve written that abdominal fat is particularly bad for your health. What are the best ways to get rid of it?

DEAR DOCTOR K: You’ve mentioned nuts as a healthy snack in previous columns. I thought nuts were high in fat and calories. DEAR READER: Nuts are high in fat and calories, and they are also a great food. Am I nuts?