17 Comments

I love hot dogs so switched to the ones without nitrates and additives. I also started buying the chicken apple dogs that do not have bad things in them but not sure if they are good or really bad for me.

Expand full comment
founding
May 16, 2023Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

Thank you so much Annie! Silly question but I add a ton of unsweetened soy milk to my coffee. I may drink about 3/4 cup soy milk a day. Should I switch to something else? Or maybe I should focus more on tea which I don’t add anything to.

Expand full comment
author

Unsweetened soy milk is generally a great choice for plant-based milks. I approve! I don't have any data to guide you about whether it binds up antioxidants in coffee, like we have for dairy milks. I like your idea of drinking more tea, especially green tea. A win/win!

Expand full comment
founding
May 8, 2023Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

Excellent research and practical advice! Thanks for this great info! I have to admit, there are a few things in my pantry you would toss! 😝

Expand full comment
author

Thank you Sally! Yes, I would be willing to bet we all have foods in the pantry we are not proud of. I just found a jar of Nutella in mine! I have no idea how it got there.

Expand full comment
May 7, 2023Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

We've been talking about UPFs in our household. It can be very difficult when peers (especially when it's tweens) bring and offer UPFs at school. My older daughter said this was really helpful in understanding some of why junk food doesn't fuel us (including our brains) and how it can be harmful in ways that aren't immediately obvious (like anxiety and depression). It's always nice when it doesn't come directly from Mom :)

Expand full comment
author

Hi Carter! I am working on an article about talking to young people about brain health. It’s such a challenge to help them see these foods as brain harmful, but the data is very clear!

Expand full comment
May 7, 2023Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

I am on the fence about protein powders. It is so quick and easy to add them to oatmeal. What are your thoughts on the organic pea and hemp powders without sweeteners?

Expand full comment
author

I feel the same as you. I think good quality plant based powders are just as good if not better than whey, but I hestitate using them instead of whole foods. But there are many situations where this would make sense, like someone on a restricted diet or bouncing back from an illness/weight loss.

Expand full comment
Jul 26Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

I make a blueberry smoothie everyday with whey protein, créatine, and collagen powder. I’ve never thought of these as heavily processed. They help me consume more protein - I’m trying hard to maintain muscle. Is there a way to gauge whether the powders are better or worse versions? Would you say for cog health these are just not recommended? Thank you!!!

Expand full comment
author

Yes, these are all great reasons to use protein powder. I have been seeing more data about health benefits (even though they are somewhat processed) and I'll be writing about this soon.

Expand full comment
May 7, 2023Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

I drank Diet Coke like it was water until I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2008. Miraculously, I have not had one or another artificially sweetened drink since. Chilled filtered water became my new beverage of choice along with coffee. I can’t believe I prefer it. I also enjoy it in a Yeti or pretty glass. (Disclaimer, I’m also an RD, MPH and new better)

Expand full comment
author

There was a whole generation of us who did that! I recently sipped on a Diet Coke and could not believe how acrid sweet it tasted. Taste buds and palates really do change! And, glad you are ok now:)

Expand full comment
May 7, 2023Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

Soft drinks were not so hard. . .for me, it remains the Texas-style BBQ potato chips (thank you Whole Foods!), while the labels seem to indicate they are not all that bad, I can't pronounce half the ingredients so I presume they are not a good thing.

Expand full comment
author

I can resist those but cannot have the Thai-flavored ones in the house. For me, managing my food environment works better than sheer willpower!

Expand full comment
May 6, 2023Liked by Annie Fenn, MD

Diet Coke is so hard :( I have half a one every day, in the summer usually. What is your favorite fruity sparkling water?

Expand full comment
author

I really love Sparkling Botanicals by Rishi tea. Another low sugar non alcohol bev I like is by Sunwink.

Expand full comment