Cancer patients often lose their appetite, especially when they are undergoing chemotherapy, and sometimes they are so tired or uncomfortable that eating a meal is difficult. At the same time, adequate nutrition plays an important role in coping with cancer and its treatment.
That's why a soft diet, which consists of a series of small meals consumed throughout the day, is a good solution. But a soft diet can be much more interesting than a cup of soup or a scoop of mashed potatoes. Here are some ideas for easy, nutritious, flexible mini-meals.
Nutrition in a Bottle
Ready-made nutrition drinks such as Ensure and Boost are gaining popularity, not only for the ill and elderly, but for active people, as well. Their manufacturers offer shakes in many flavors that offer balanced nutrition and extra calcium or protein. Most people drink these supplements right from the regrigerator (they are best served very cold), but you can also be creative with them by adding fruit and other flavorings.
Smoothies from Your Blender
Everyone loves smoothies, and you can own in any flavor the patient will enjoy. Put one cup of ice in a blender and add your flavorings, which could include fresh or frozen fruit, chocolate syrup or any nutritious alternative. Blend until there are only small chunks of ice left, then add about a cup of milk or and mix until smooth. Remember that calories count in feeding cancer patients, so---barring medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes---choose dairy products made from whole milk and sweetened with sugar rather than artificial sweeteners, many of which are considered carcinogenic.
Love in a Cup
Remember what a treat a cup of chocolate swirl ice cream was when you were a kid? Besides ice cream and yogurt, don't overlook pudding, gelatin (you can make your own and add fruit), applesauce and other pureed fruit. Choose organic products are available.
The Omnipresent Egg
Serve eggs boiled in little cups with some butter on top, scramble them and add some cheese for even more protein, or poach them and serve them on a small piece of buttered bread.
Don't overlook jams and jellies, whether spread on toast or spooned over plain yogurt or ice cream. Even by itself, a spoonful or two of a delicious fruit preserve will be welcomed by most cancer patients.
Use your imagination and there's no end to the ways you can pique the appetite of almost any cancer patient and improve the quality of his life.
Tags: cancer patients, make your, plain yogurt, soft diet, when they