Being Alive; January 1994
Fran McDonald

The Nutritional Labeling and Education Act of 1990 ordered the FDA to create a thorough new system of labeling foods. The Act requires manufacturers and suppliers to observe strict, standardized criteria in listing the contents of their products. This is especially good news for many of you who now must take better care of yourselves than you ever had. The new labels will enable you to make clear, informed decisions at the same time that it will eliminate vagueness and sometimes downright fraudulent claims by certain manufacturers. Depending on the product, compliance with most of the new rules must occur between May and July of 1994; however, I have already seen the new labels on many products.

The new labels will do many things: They will state how the food fits into the daily diet; offer information on the basis of a national, standardized definition of serving size as regards content of fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, and other nutrients; use terms like "light", "fat free," and "low-calorie" according to set definitions by the FDA so that they mean the same thing on all products; and use both American and metric measures. About 90% of processed foods will be affected among exemptions are plain coffee and tea, ready-to-eat foods such as at delis, bakeries, and restaurants, as well as those produced by small businesses.

Unfortunately, space does not permit me to relate how all this came about or the finer points of the new labels (quite a story), but for comprehensive information either write FDA, Consumer Inquiries, 5600 Fishers Lane (HFE-88), Rockville, MD 20857, or call 301.443.3170 and request their literature on the new food labels. It's free.

Depression

In a recent National Foundation for Depressive Illness newsletter, there was an article by Betsy Aitkenhead with suggestions on how to deal with the holiday blues. Her suggestions can be useful all year long. She suggests: Keep your expectations reasonable to avoid let-down later on; try to plan pleasant activities after a big function so that there are not marked periods of "fun" followed by "dull" periods of nothing going on at all; don't run up credit cards worry about debt causes depression; drink minimally alcohol exacerbates depression; try to maintain your usual schedule and get enough rest and exercise; volunteer losing yourself in the problems of others less fortunate can help keep depression at bay.

Lastly, Ms. Aitkenhead says that if you feel hopeless, helpless, or suicidal for an extended period of time, see a doctor trained in neurobiological disorders. Today there is no reason anyone should suffer from prolonged depression. If you'd like a copy of her article, please call me.

Sun and HIV

Nowadays we all know the dangers of exposure to the sun and many of you also know that certain HIV medications put the risk even higher. Several of the major magazines recently had articles about current products available to protect yourself, also the array of products on the market now that give a great sunless tan so you can look gorgeous without even going outside. If you're interested, call me for copies of the articles.

For some of you this may seem straight out of Dick Tracy, but there is available now a Sunwatch that will warn you when you've been in the sun too long. It has an ultra-violet sensing timepiece that will start to beep before you can burn. You set the watch by entering a value for your skin type and the SPF of your sunscreen, while a microprocessor adjusts the watch to changes in the climate. Astonishing! If you're interested, call Respircare in Ottawa, Canada, at 613.737.7711.

Fresh Art

The Art Coalition at 5P21 will mount an exhibit beginning January 22 featuring works by artists whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS; the artists will include both amateurs and professionals. An exhibit like this serves several purposes, all of them good. For example, beyond the apparent "statements" being made about HIV/AIDS, if an individual artist is himself living with HIV/AIDS his artistic work can be of inestimable therapeutic value to him.

5P21 is located at 1175 N. Cummings St. in Los Angeles. For questions, or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting, call Bonnie Stover 213.343.8390 or Rick Albright 213.850.5744.

Bluelights Campaign

I have been asked to remind you of this inspiring effort and to ask for your participation. Essentially the Campaign is this: Shine a blue light from a window at night to acknowledge the ongoing struggle of those coping with HIV/AIDS and to show your commitment to the search for a cure. So far the Campaign has spread to two continents and 40 states. I have a brochure describing the Campaign's goals and work. If you want one call me or write Bluelights Campaign, 189 Minna St. #125, San Francisco CA 94185.

(Fran McDonald has been in Social Services for 22 years and welcomes your calls at 213.664.4772.)
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