|
AAKP News of the Month: Kidney
Beginnings: Live Program in West Palm Beach, FL!
Join AAKP in West Palm Beach, FL, November 15 for Kidney Beginnings: Live!
Kidney Beginnings: Live is a FREE educational program designed to educate individuals about the basics of kidney disease and proper kidney care. Programs last approximately three hours and feature presentations by health care professionals. Topics include what the kidneys are and how they function, managing conditions that lead to CKD, side effects and challenges CKD patients face, diet management and much more!
For more information about or to register for Kidney Beginnings: Live, please visit the AAKP Web site or call (800) 749-AAKP. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Recipe of the Month: Macaroni & Cheese |
 Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow, shell or bowtie pasta
- one 5-ounce jar Kraft Pimento Cheese spread made with cream cheese
- one 4-ounce can Ortega diced green chilies (rinsed and drained)
- pepper to taste, if desired
Preparation:
- Cook noodles in boiling water without salt or butter until the noodles are al dente.
- Drain noodles. While noodles are hot, add the pimento cheese spread and chilies.
- Stir until the cheese spread is melted into the noodles.
- Serve hot. Add pepper at the table for taste, if desired.
Helpful Hints:
- For a higher protein variation, add browned and drained ground beef (dialysis only).
- Most cheese spreads are very high in sodium and phosphorus. The pimento spread in this recipe is made with cream cheese instead of processed cheese. (Look for the Philadelphia brand cream cheese logo on the label). This is what keeps the sodium and phosphorus content low enough for a renal diet. Avoid bottled or canned spreads made with processed cheese.
Nutrient Analysis: Calories: 196; Fat: 8g; Protein: 6g; Phosphorus: 74mg; Potassium: 83mg; Sodium: 227mg
Renal and Renal Diabetic Exchanges: One starch, one fat, one-half milk
This recipe is provided courtesy of DaVita Inc. Copyright 2009 DaVita Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission. This material may not be published, reprinted or distributed without the express written consent of DaVita Inc. |
| Fructose Tied to Higher Blood Pressure |
According to a new study, a diet high in fructose sugar, found in sweetened soft drinks and junk food, raises blood pressure among men. Researchers also found people who consume sweetened soft drinks and junk food at night gain weight faster than those who don't. The results suggest excessive fructose intake may have a role in the worldwide epidemic of obesity and diabetes.
Fructose accounts for about half the sugar molecules in table sugar and in high-fructose corn syrup. The American Heart Association recommends women should eat no more than 100 calories (or six teaspoons, 25 grams) of added processed sugar per day and for men, no more than 150 calories (nine teaspoons, 37.5 grams). On average, Americans consume 22 teaspoons or 355 calories of added sugar each day. |
| Mediterranean Diet May Be Best for Type 2 Diabetes |
 The Mediterranean diet may help people with type 2 diabetes stay off blood sugar-lowering medications, lose weight and lower cardiovascular risk factors. A study found 70 percent of people with type 2 diabetes following a low-fat diet eventually needed diabetes medications and just 44 percent of those following the Mediterranean diet needed diabetes medications.
The Mediterranean diet is high in plant foods, such as fruits, nuts, legumes, cereals and fish, and olive oils as the primary source of monounsaturated fat. The diet includes low to moderate intake of wine and low intake of red meat and poultry. |
|
More Whole Grains May Mean Less Fat |
|
 Eating more whole-grain foods may help reduce body fat in older adults. A study looked at the eating habits, including the consumption of whole-grain bread, brown rice, popcorn and other whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables, of over 400 men and women with an average age of 68.
Among the participants, bread and cold breakfast cereals were the main sources of whole grains, and women were more likely than men to consume whole grains. The researchers found higher intake of whole grains was associated with lower amounts of total body fat and abdominal fat. The finding appear in the Journal of Nutrition. |
|
Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D Begins November 15th |
|
Between November 15th and December 31st, everyone with Medicare can sign up for the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Part D) or switch Medicare private drug plans. This is the time to review your current drug coverage and make changes. For most people, buying a Medicare drug plan is voluntary. People with both Medicare and Medicaid are required to have a Medicare private drug plan.
Even if you like the Medicare drug plan that you have now, do not assume that it will work the same way next year. Many Medicare private drug plans change the drugs they cover and the cost. Plans are required by law to send you a letter by the end of October to explain these changes. If you did not receive a letter, call and ask for one.
Different Medicare drug plans cover different prescriptions at different costs and are accepted at different pharmacies. Before you sign up for a drug plan, call Medicare and make sure that it covers your prescriptions and is accepted at your pharmacy. Also, ask whether the plan places any restrictions on the drugs you take (such as requiring "prior authorization" - special permission - before it will cover certain prescriptions). Find out how much you will have to pay for your medications.
|
|
Join the AAKP Survey Panel |
|
AAKP invites patients, family members, health care professionals and individuals with a concern for kidney disease to join its Survey Panel. The AAKP Survey Panel's purpose is to assist with the understanding of kidney disease and its impact on the day to day lives of individuals affected by reduced renal function.
The AAKP Survey Panel will ask you a few general questions and then asks your permission to contact you in the future regarding detailed topics, such as prescription costs, insurance benefits, treatment options, etc. Joining the AAKP Survey Panel is FREE and as a member your input can influence the products and services offered to kidney patients and their family members.
You can also feel secure in knowing the information you provide will only be used by AAKP to ensure you receive surveys that may be of interest to you. AAKP does not rent, sell or trade mailing lists or personal information to third parties. For more information, visit the AAKP Web site or call (800) 749-2257. |
| Get a Head Start on Your Holiday Shopping and Support AAKP |
 Donating to AAKP has never been easier! GoodShop will donate up to 37 percent of your purchases from over 1,300 online stores to the charity of your choice. It takes just a few seconds to go to www.goodshop.com, select your charity, and then click through to your favorite store and shop as usual. You pay the same price you normally would, but a donation goes to help AAKP!
Please keep AAKP in mind this holiday season! |
| Tip of the Month: Cooking with Mushrooms |
 Mushrooms are great to use in salads, pasta or as a garnish. Many different types are commonly available in grocery stores. Mushrooms shrinks in size when cooked, so 1/2 cup cooked mushrooms has much more potassium and phosphorus than 1/2 cup raw mushrooms. When shopping for mushrooms:
- Look for mushrooms that are firm and dry with a solid color.
- Never buy bruised or wet-appearing mushrooms.
- Store refrigerated in an open container.
- Do not wash until ready to use.
- Use within 3 days of purchase.
- Clean mushrooms by wiping with a wet paper towel.
For more cooking tips, visit http://www.culinarykidneycooks.com/helpful_hints.htm
| |
|
|
|
