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IN THIS COLUMN, I answer readers' questions about fish oil, sun exposure, vegetarian eating and more.

Dear Jennifer: I have a school-age grandson who has been treated for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder for years. I have been taking fish oil for many years on my doctor's advice and would like to have him use fish oil, too.

What dosage?

--L.M., Mineral

Try foods before supplements. Does your grandson like tuna or other fish? If he eats two to three servings of fish a week, he should get plenty of omega-3 fats without any risk of overdose.

If you feel that your grandson's ADHD is out of control, consider taking him to the doctor again.

Dear Jennifer: My friend, who is a senior in college, recently decided to become a vegetarian. Unfortunately, she really likes meat. It's apparently not a nutritional decision but a compassionate one. She is not eating well because she doesn't know what to prepare and how to eat nutritionally without meat. I'm concerned she's losing weight, and she's not big to begin with.

--Anonymous

There's a lot more to being a vegetarian than just cutting out meat.

It's important to add other sources of protein at each meal, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, peanut butter, nuts or seeds.

Check out the Vegetarian Food Pyramid online at oldwayspt.org/vegetari an_pyramid.html.

For strict vegans, those who avoid dairy and eggs, I recommend a multivitamin. That's because plant-based foods do not contain vitamin B-12. And everyone can benefit from the vitamin D in a multivitamin.

Folks who don't eat fish might consider other sources of omega-3 fats--these heart-healthy fats help everyone and are especially important for pregnant women--they are building blocks for the baby's brain.

Here's a brief explanation of different omega-3 fats. Fish and seafood are the best source of the most powerful omega-3 fats, known as EPA and DHA.

Walnuts and flaxseed have a different form of omega-3 fats, called ALA.

Our bodies only convert a small percentage of ALA into EPA and DHA.

That said, walnuts and flaxseed are still healthy foods. Another vegetarian option is microalgae DHA supplements.

Many people are becoming vegetarians because they feel it is kinder to animals and more environmentally sound. I applaud these reasons.

Vegetarians can be healthy and strong--some are even Olympic athletes.