Mar 9, 2018 | Diet and Nutrition, Your Health
Veganism is trending. The controversial documentary “What the Health?” recently ignited conversation with its claim that eating animal products leads to increased disease risk. While many health professionals do not endorse the film’s claims due to a lack of supporting evidence, the idea that a diet consisting of poor-quality, cheap meat and dairy foods would be harmful in the long term is not surprising.
Whether prompted by the documentary or by celebrities promoting the values of an all-plant diet, veganism is in the news. Luckily, many vegan products are on the market, which definitely makes it easier to become vegan today. However, you should still seek guidance before jumping on board. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Talk with your doctor
Regardless of why you want to go vegan, it is a major lifestyle change, and your health care provider should advise on how to prevent nutritional deficiencies. This is especially true for children and young adults. Before going vegan, I recommend undergoing a full blood workup. Checking lab values—such as iron, B12, and calcium/vitamin D—could be a good tool to know where you are starting from and what foods should be encouraged.
Consider Vegan-ish
It may not be necessary to go totally vegan. Ever heard of a flexitarian? That’s someone who is mostly vegan but eats meat occasionally. In addition, purchasing the best quality meat and dairy items, and only consuming them a couple days a week, may be a good step toward a healthier diet without worrying about deficiencies and relying on supplements.
Going vegan is not the same as dieting
Going vegan does not necessarily mean that you will lose weight. A lot of people end up overeating processed carbohydrates and actually gain weight. Being vegan is not a crash diet but a lifestyle change that takes a lot of planning. For example, you should experiment with non-dairy cheeses and make a list of all the plant-based proteins to structure into your day.
Remember, becoming vegan is a dietary change that should be managed with care. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking the plunge.
Valentine Reed-Johnson RD, CDN, is an outpatient dietitian in the Clinical Nutrition Department at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Previously, she worked inpatient for four years primarily with vascular and general medicine patients. Currently, Ms. Reed-Johnson works with the KPE OB/GYN clinic. She has an interest in Diabetes and Wellness Nutrition. She especially enjoys writing as it is the best way to reach the most people and clear up the overwhelming amount of conflicting Nutrition information in the media.
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Diet and Nutrition, Your Health
Valentine’s Day is a great time to celebrate love. While chocolate may be the first thing that comes to mind, there are healthier ways to celebrate this special occasion—especially if you or your loved ones are on dialysis for chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Healthy kidneys rid the body of excess phosphorus. When the kidneys do not work well, phosphorus may build up in your body. Too much phosphorus may cause your blood vessels to harden and cause problems for your heart and other vital organs. Chocolate is high in phosphorus, so people with kidney problems need to limit, or eliminate, their intake. Thankfully, with a dash of creativity and preparation, there are treats that can show your gratitude and are good for you!
Heart-shaped egg
To create this treat, mold a hard-boiled egg using a milk or juice carton. Cut a clean, empty carton in half and place the warm hard-boiled egg inside. Using a thin wooden spoon or chop stick, press down on the warm egg being careful to not crush. This treat receives xtra points for the protein!
Sweetheart apple slices
Cut some apple slices and then use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to remove the core. This crispy snack is high in soluble fiber, which supports heart health by sweeping out excess cholesterol in your system. Soluble fiber may help lower your risk of developing diabetes. It can also help control blood sugar for people who already have diabetes.
Cream cheese-filled strawberries
Cheeses are generally high in phosphorus. Fortunately, there is an exception to the rule: cream cheese. Low in phosphorus, cream cheese is a good choice for people who are watching their phosphorus intake. To make this treat, fill a plastic bag with cream cheese, cut a hole in the corner, and pipe into cut strawberries.
Samantha Wu, MS, RD, CSR, CDN, is a senior dietitian at Mount Sinai Kidney Center. She works with adult and pediatric patients on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and home hemodialysis. Ms. Wu enjoys creatively helping patients fit their favorite foods into a healthy, kidney-friendly diet.
Phosphorus, along with calcium, is used by the body to build healthy bones. High levels of the mineral can lead to dangerous calcium deposits in the blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and heart.
Many decadent treats are high in phosphorus. Be sure to limit the following if you or your loved one has kidney disease.
- Chocolate
- Ice cream
- Custard
- Pudding
- Caramel
- Hard cheese and processed cheese
Low-phosphorus foods are plentiful and delicious. The following are some kidney-friendly options.
- Popcorn
- Pretzels (without salt)
- Jelly beans
- Sorbets and sherbets
- Jam, jelly, and honey
- Cream cheese (regular or low fat)
Nov 17, 2017 | Diet and Nutrition, Your Health
The holiday season is a time for celebration, fun, and decadent food. Eating healthy can be a challenge for anyone, but especially for those with kidney disease. Holiday dishes and old family recipes, while delicious, are often laden with sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, making it difficult to follow a renal diet.
“Mindless grazing on snacks and hors d’oeuvres can make anyone veer off track and can cause a lapse in dietary compliance. Thankfully, with a little planning, preparation, and mindfulness, you can enjoy a kidney-friendly holiday season, “says Jennifer Ross, MS, RD, CDN, Clinical Nutrition Coordinator with the Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute.
Ms. Ross recommends that you keep the following tips in mind as festivities are in full swing:
- Bring a kidney-friendly dish. For general dietary compliance, this can be helpful, as you are ensuring that there is at least one thing at the party that you can eat. The National Kidney Foundation provides many kidney-friendly recipes that can be enjoyed by everyone.
- Keep a food diary. It may be helpful to closely monitor what you are eating throughout the day to help keep your overall potassium and phosphorus intake in control.
- Avoid salt as a seasoning. Party foods and larger holiday portions typically mean an increase in salt consumption. Therefore, it may be beneficial to decrease overall sodium intake. Instead of salt, incorporate flavorful components like onions and roasted garlic or fresh herbs like oregano, rosemary, and thyme.
- Eat small portions. If high-potassium foods like pumpkin, brussels sprouts, or potatoes are being served, indulge in a small portion of only one of those foods.
- Do not forget your medication. Make sure to take any prescribed phosphate binders with meals and snacks to keep your phosphorus level in control.
Below are some additional ideas for each course that will help to keep you on track with your renal diet:
Appetizers and Snacks
- Unsalted popcorn
- Cream-cheese or ricotta-based spreads with low-sodium crackers, unsalted pretzels, apples, or celery for dipping
- Macaroni, chicken, or egg salad
- Deviled eggs
- Low-sodium soups and stews made with turkey or chicken and low-potassium vegetables
- Breads made with zucchinis or apples
Main Courses and Accompaniments
- Fresh roasted turkey or chicken
- Baked, broiled, or grilled fish
- Beef, lamb, and pork chops
- Roasted low-potassium vegetables like green beans, peppers, cabbage, asparagus, and mushrooms
- Glazed carrots
- Low-sodium gravies
- Cranberry sauce
- Roasted cauliflower, which can also be prepared like mashed potatoes for a low-potassium alternative
- Homemade stuffing
Desserts
- Pies, tarts, custards, and cakes that incorporate kidney-friendly fruits like apples, berries, lemons, and cherries.
- Ginger cookies
- Glazed pears
- Non-dairy whipped topping
Remember, if you have kidney disease, or reduced kidney function, make an appointment with a dietitian to create a tailored plan to address your health needs.
Jennifer Ross, MS, RD, CDN, is a clinical dietitian at The Mount Sinai Hospital with the Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute. She works closely with patients who are pre- and post-liver and kidney transplants. She is passionate about helping her patients conquer the world of nutrition in relation to their disease in order to help them live their healthiest life.
A renal diet is one that is low in sodium, phosphorus, and potassium. Those with kidney disease, or compromised kidney function, are unable to adequately filter waste from the body. A diet that reduces these nutrients limits the amount of waste, preventing the compromised kidney from being overworked. Depending on the condition of the kidney, people on a renal diet may need to limit protein, calcium, or fluids. If you have kidney disease, or reduced kidney function, make an appointment with a dietitian to create a tailored plan to address your health needs.
Oct 9, 2017 | Cancer, Diet and Nutrition, Your Health
Patients with short bowel syndrome have unique dietary constraints because they have trouble absorbing nutrients. Kwai Lam, RD, clinical nutrition coordinator at the Mount Sinai Intestinal Rehabilitation and Transplantation Center, provides advice on how to obtain optimal nutritional intake with this difficult condition.
Kwai Lam, RD
In the United States, it is estimated that 10,000 to 20,000 people suffer from short bowel syndrome, a rare condition that occurs when an extensive length of the intestine is removed, typically during surgery to treat diseases, injuries, or birth defects. It has debilitating effects, often contributing to poor quality of life and a greater chance of disease or death.
Dietary modifications aim to optimize nutrient and fluid absorption, and reduce diarrhea, malnutrition, and dehydration. What a patient can consume will depend on the anatomy of their remaining intestine. For example, the diet for someone with a colon will differ from someone without a colon. (See chart below.)
For all short bowel syndrome patients, foods with high sugar content should be avoided as they can exacerbate diarrhea. Meal planning should focus on including more complex carbohydrates such as bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes. Whole-grain products, raw vegetables, fruit peels, and nuts should be excluded due to their high fiber content and propensity to aggravate diarrhea. Dietary fat should be eaten in moderation, especially in individuals who have their colons since mal-absorbed fat in the colon along with a diet high in oxalate increase the risk of forming kidney stones.
Fluids with high sugar content, like juice and soda, cause an influx of water into the intestine, resulting in a laxative effect. Ideally, patients should consume fluid known as oral rehydration solution, which has a balanced ratio of sugar to sodium. Contrary to common beliefs, most sport drinks are not the best choice for this population, due to their high sugar and low sodium contents. Water and other fluids with no sodium or sugar, may be tolerated in some individuals who have their colon. However, these beverages tend to promote sodium and fluid loss, leading to further dehydration in individuals who have their colon removed. Oral rehydration solutions are recommended for all who have short bowel syndrome. They can be purchased commercially or made at home using three common household ingredients: water, table salt, and sugar.
|
Colon |
No Colon |
| Carbohydrate
Fat
Fiber
Oxalate
Fluids |
50-60% of calories
Complex carbohydrate
20-30% calories
Soluble fiber
Restrict
Oral rehydration solution and some hypotonic fluids |
40-50% calories
Complex carbohydrate
30-40% calories
Soluble fiber
No restriction
Oral rehydration solution |
May 28, 2017 | Ask the Doc, Diet and Nutrition
“So does caffeine affect your health? The answer is sure, caffeine is a stimulant. It’s the most commonly used stimulant in the world, and so when you drink caffeine – what happens? Well, if you’ve ever had caffeine, you probably already know the answer to that. It’s a stimulant, so you’re going to feel acutely more activated, more alert, you may even feel a little euphoric. So you feel good when you drink a little bit of caffeine. The downside of caffeine is it can make you feel a little anxious, a little bit agitated. The bottom line is, in terms of health effects with caffeine, caffeine is actually pretty safe in moderate amounts. So up to four cups of coffee a day are felt to be, if anything, protective. When you look at all the evidence — and the evidence has gone back and forth over the years — the balance of the evidence seems to suggest that caffeine in moderate amounts is actually pretty good for you and may even decrease risks of overall mortality in time. It’s certainly decreased the risk of things like diabetes, even Parkinson’s disease and cardiovascular disease,which can be decreased by moderate caffeine intake. On the downside if you’re drinking too much caffeine, you may be getting rebound headaches when you stop it and they make you feel agitated if you quickly stop it, as well. So, moderate your caffeine intake. If you have any further questions, feel free to talk to your primary care physician or to myself or any of my colleagues at Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights.”
David Coun, MD, is a board-certified primary care doctor and Chief of Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights. He has lectured regularly on various topics, including smoking cessation, prostatic conditions, EKG review, and physician communication skills. Dr. Coun is fluent in Spanish and has a particular interest in prevention, as well as, the intersection between mental health and chronic medical conditions. Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights is a two-floor practice with a walk-in urgent care center and more than 35 specialties. Located at 300 Cadman Plaza West, the practice is situated on the 17th and 18th floors.
Updated on Jan 4, 2018 | Diet and Nutrition, Exercise, Health Tips, Your Health
Guest post by Eli Oki Choo, MS, RD, CDN, Clinical Nutrition Coordinator at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Mrs. Choo has worked at Mount Sinai for the past 8 years, focusing on heart failure, left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), and heart transplant patients.
The holiday season is in full swing. It’s a time to enjoy family, friends, and food. Holiday festivities also present plenty of opportunities to overindulge. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine notes that the average person will gain about a pound from mid-November to the beginning of January. Although one pound seems relatively harmless, the study also found that the extra weight did not come off the following year. Over time, this additional weight adds up. Here are some healthy tips to help navigate the holiday season.
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