Giving Thanks a little early this year

Today in one of my classes, we discussed renal diseases and the types of diets one must follow when kidney function is impaired.

Let me just say, the renal diet is incredibly complicated and bland—I can imagine it would be frustrating to follow. Not only do you have to limit protein in most cases, but you also have to avoid foods high in both potassium (you can pretty much kiss fresh fruits and veggies goodbye) and phosphorous (so long dairy, meats, and nuts—even soy milk!). Fluids also have to be restricted to as low as 500 mL per day in some cases! That includes soup and ice cream. You also have to monitor sodium intake.

As I downed coffee after coffee while studying for an exam today and washed an almond-butter-and-banana sandwich down with a little soy milk, I took a moment to enjoy the fact that I could.

It's easy to forget how lucky we are to be healthy when we're used to being well. It's important to remember to be thankful for that. I know sometimes I get really busy and focus more on the negative day-to-day events, but practicing a little mindfulness can be helpful—sometimes we need to clue ourselves in again to how lucky we are.

Unless of course you have renal disease and in which case, my sympathies.

High-Five, Low-Five

Now, I like the idea of food companies using fewer ingredients in their products. What I don't like is the transparent marketing. Much like the "low carb" label craze and the deluge of "low fat" products (Wow! Low-Fat Apples! Um...duh) of the previous trend, we're now starting to see foods that normally contain few ingredients being repackaged and marketed for how few components they have. 

Just yesterday at the market, I saw a man buying a pint of Haagen Dazs' new Five Milk Chocolate ice cream. As you can see on the container (and if you check the ingredients), it contains SKIM MILK, CREAM, SUGAR, EGG YOLKS, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI.

Sounds pretty good, right? Nice and simple. 

However, the ingredients listed for regular Haagen Dazs chocolate ice cream are CREAM, SKIM MILK, SUGAR, EGG YOLKS, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI. 

The only difference between the two products (if there is a difference), is the predominance of the skim milk vs. cream. 

So, I'm just saying, don't be taken in. I am a fan of simplifying things, but just make sure you're not just paying a premium for the name.