Ask Marilyn

Manuel Lopez of Westwood, California, writes:

Marilyn: A friend says that a person who eats a pound of chocolate may gain more than one pound because the chocolate could have more than 3500 calories. I say this is impossible. Who is right?

Marilyn responds:

You're right. In fact, a pound of chocolate cannot have even 3500 calories. But a pound of fat could. Anyway, you could spread an entire pound of butter on your morning toast and gain only roughly a pound for your indiscretion.