Dear Straight Talk: I am 21, my little brother is 15. We are very close. The problem is he lives with our dad, and my dad and his wife aren’t food-conscious like my mom, who shops organic. They let him eat candy, fast food, and drink Cokes on a daily basis. He has developed psoriasis, intestinal problems, food allergies and is becoming overweight, all within a couple of years. I am polite when I visit, but I try not to eat there because the food is honestly disgusting and mostly genetically modified. How can I get through to them, or at least him, not to eat this kind of food? It hurts me to see his health going downhill. — “Foodie for Life,” Sacramento

Leah, 20, Yuba City: You say you are close, so talk to him! Make him aware that his diet is ruining his health and will impact the rest of his life. Avoid the “disgusting” word and tell Dad you appreciate the food he supplies, but that you are following a nutritional program. Give him some options of items you can eat. Tell him your worries about your brother. Suggest small changes first, like switching ranch for vinaigrette. Ask if you can cook a meal so they know healthy can taste good.