Rose of Sharon Jewelry

Chemo therapy and radiation treatments blast away at your cancer! Keeping yourself nourished is critical for endurance and immune building. Today’s post features tips, tricks and resources to making eating easier during cancer treatment.

Cancer treatments can suppress your appetite, cause pain during eating, affect your smell and taste and more. Even if you have enough energy to eat, you simply may not want to bear it. So what are chemo patients and their caring loved ones to do.

Let’s start with 3 helpful books aimed at cancer survivors to  help you answer your questions. These books feature meals for the whole family that concentrate on the special needs of the cancer survivor. With an emphasis on overall nutrition, immune building and health, you’ll find the recipes approachable with commonly found ingredients.

The first book, published by the American Cancer Society, addresses your immediate and long-term nutritional needs.

The next 2 cookbooks, written by senior Chef Rebecca Katz from a Marin County, California cancer program, features plenty of great recipes that address specific eating limitations.

Reviewers also love the recipes for healthy snacks as snacking helps maintain strength and blood sugar levels for tired patients.

Cooking for Someone With Cancer

10 cooking and food prep tips to promote recover and lasting health.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly (sing Happy Birthday twice to measure your active washing time). Special antibacterial soap isn’t necessary but plenty of scrubbing time is.
2. Wash food products (including prewashed lettuce and veggies) after opening. Learn the proper washing steps from this University of Minnesota.
3. Make sure all meats and eggs are fully cooked. Cancer patients have compromised immune systems so even a small amount of dangerous bacteria can be trouble.
4. Consider grinding your own hamburger. E-coli and other germs can be spread easily during the grinding process. Here’s how to grind your own  hamburger.
5. Properly store leftovers. It doesn’t take long for bacteria to flourish if foods are not properly stored. You’ll find detailed info here on storing leftovers.
6. Download and read this guide (PDF format) on food safety for cancer patients from the USDA.
7. Create energy-boosting snack bags. Filled with nuts, dried fruit, cheese and other healthy treats, these bags are perfect if appointments run long and for continual food intake.
8. Don’t hide away to eat. Eat with family and friends and dine out at a favorite spot. Happy conversations and strong memories can increase how much you eat. Besides who cares if you’re the last one to finish – or even if you don’t clean your plate!
9. Concentrate on tasty, calorie-dense food. There are plenty of foods with higher calorie counts that aren’t overly sugary and have only healthy fats.
10. Serve frozen drinks and treats to encourage hydration. Vomiting can quickly dehydrate the body. See my blog post on homemade popsicles.

Take good care of yourself – including feeding your body and soul with good food.