Cancer Treatment Options Forum - September 29th, 2010 - 10 Comments
Recipes for Cancer Patients under going Chemo?
I read in an article after doing some research that certain diets can help out with chemo. My grandfather was just diagnosed so I want to get some recipes for him so I can go over and make them for him. I’m not looking for any more information on what is good for him.
I am specifically looking for recipes. Preferably tatsty, he’s picky.
Thanks,
Honestly, whatever he can keep down is whats best for him. He needs to get plenty of calories and proteins, and he isnt going to want to eat at all. You need to make sure his meats are cooked to temp. (actually check the temp of the meat while cooking to ensure it is done, DONT go by look or cook time when cooking for him) to prevent him from getting an infection because his immune system will be lowered. Depending on how low his white blood cell counts are, he may have other dietary restrictions such as no fresh fruits or veggies. He should ask his doctor if he is expected to be neutropenic (super low white blood cell count) and to explain the dietary restrictions that come with being neutropenic if he is.
Bland carbs will be easy for him to eat. Things like breads, crackers, mashed potatoes or even pastas if he can keep down the sauces. He should try to find a shake like boost or ensure or pedialite or some of the diet meal replacement shakes like slim fast that he likes.. they usually have a good amount of calories and proteins and will help him get the extra nutrition he will be loosing by not eating. Things like gatorade will also be good for him to drink to help balance his electrolytes.
He should avoid anything that is spicy or other wise causes him indigestion/diareah issues. And he should avoid his fav foods.. they wont taste right and he could develope taste aversions if he vomits right after eating.
i duno, but chocolate always cheers me up,
I wish that I"d known that last year when I was undergoing chemo but if that’s so than go to the American cancer society web site and see if they have any information and good luck.
not a recipe but have him eat a lot of flaxseed and no sugars it feeds the cancer
when my husband was going through chemo he said everything he ate tasted like metal. plus he was always sick from the chemo drugs that he didn’t feel like eating anyway.
i hope you find something to help your grandfather
There are a lot of things out there that say that they help with chemo and the side effects. I have tried most of them, and I am here to tell you, that most of them are ineffective for the amount of work going that somebody puts into them.
Here’s what most cancer survivors are going to tell you about eating during chemo:
‘I don’t want to.’
Depending on the chemo regiment, amount of a variety of drugs he will be on, pills vs IV, etc, etc, etc, it’s more important for him to eat SOMETHING opposed to certain things. Of course, try and be as healthy as possible, but if there is a day when he only wants to eat a pizza and Dr.Pepper, you should let him.
It’s a day to day thing, eating on chemo. In my last round of chemo, one of my drugs trashed out my taste buds, so I couldn’t eat anything that wasn’t dripping in a strong flavor of some kind. Mostly garlic and spicy mustard. But that’s a personal thing. Just be willing to work with whatever his cravings are, and understand that the chemo is making his life a hell of a lot harder then yours.
But by being there for him and taking care of him during all of this, you are being an awesome person. He will appreciate it a lot.
Just a tip that whatever they eat NEEDS to be cooked. No fruits or veggies.
Anything he’ll eat and keep down. ANYTHING. Things come up really really easy while on chemo.
You’ll find that whatever he wants and feels will make him feel better is what’s best to give him.
He may have no appetite, or he may have a huge appetite because of the steroids given with chemo. He’ll almost certainly feel nauseous, but he shouldn’t be throwing up – if he is, he should contact the hospital to discuss changing his anti-sickness meds. Generally these days the meds are very effective.
Chemo changes the taste of some foods for many people, and often there’s a metallic taste in the mouth.
Many people find bland food is what they crave, rather than tasty food, especially bland carbohydrate; for me mashed potato was what I wanted most often.
Probably the biggest problem you (and your Grandfather) might face is the fact his tastes may change. Foods he used to love now make him nauseaus, he will be picky, and not want to eat much.
If you go to http://www.after-cancer.com / foods there is information about the Mediterranean and the Swedish diets – ways of eating that doctors and scientists consider to be the most healthy. There is one recipe there for Cranachan – and as it contains a small amount of whisky that might be a nice treat! And it is healthy!
Verite R