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Chemotherapy is saving my life, and like everything else in life there is a cost to be extracted. The bone deep fatigue, the aches and pains are dismal; that's just the way it is. The stomach trouble is the worst for me. They give you drugs to control the nausea, sure. Those drugs have their own set of side effects. The thing is that just as cancer is not a one size fits all kind of disease, the treatments to deal with it are not either. I struggle with getting enough nutrition into my body. Nothing tastes good, nothing smells good, and everything but everything makes me feel like, well you know... Even food that I think I can eat, that sounds at least a little appetizing won't make it to my lips because my stomach will switch up with the fork midway to my mouth.
I'm learning to eat differently, even if weirdly. Two bites here, one bite there, lots and lots of water. It does seem to help. Probiotic yogurt has been my friend these days. I like the Stony Field Farms vanilla. I can mix it with fresh or frozen fruit and tolerate it pretty well. One of my friends brought a simple and delicious sweet potato dish over that I was able to eat and keep down without much of a fight. Here is the recipe:
Pale Yellow Sweet Potatoes Powdered Ginger to taste Butter to taste
Wash, peel potatoes. Bake until soft. Add ginger and butter. Mix until soft and return to oven to heat through.
The texture is soft and velvety and the ginger was not heavy, nor the butter, so I was able to eat these and actually enjoy the experience.
I seem to do better with a single food rather than a full varietal meal. I'd be interested in knowing what kind of recipes or food strategies other chemo patients are using to get through the treatment and keep a reasonable amount of nutrients getting into their bodies. Recipes? Ideas? Share!
01/25/2012 I've decided to keep updating this blog post with new recipes as I find them. Hopefully someone else who is struggling with food during chemo will find a tasty they can tolerate :) My disclaimer is that everyone needs to check with their healthcare professionals before trying what you see on the internet. What works for me might not be so good for you. Check with your doctor!
Berry Smoothie
1/2 C. Mango Sherbet
1/2 C. organic apple juice
1/2 C. filtered water
1 C. frozen organic berries (I used a mixture of Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries & Blueberries)
2 level scoops of Aria Protein Powder Vanilla flavor
Blend all ingredients on high until smooth. This made enough for 3 smoothies for me. I can only do small amounts of food at a time. Enjoy!
01/26/2012 New Recipe I made this from what I had in my fridge and pantry.
Vegetable Stirfry
2 cups washed fresh spinach, stems removed
1 cup bean sprouts 2 cups Bok Choi washed and cut crossways into pieces
1 fresh carrot, washed, peeled and shredded
3/4 cup fresh mushrooms sliced
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil (I used Smart Balance)
White Rice Wine Vinegar
Stirfry Sauce
Cooking time, about 10 minutes.
I have an electric non stick wok, but you could use a heavy skillet that can take high heat. I set my wok to highest setting, about 420 degrees. Toss all the veggies except the spianch. Toss until coated with oil. Drizzle about 1-1/2 Tbsp of stirfry sauce and continue to toss, keeping the veggies moving in the pan. Drizzle about 1/2 Tbsp of the Rice vinegar over the veggies then add the spinach. I used two wooden spoons to cook this dish so that I could keep all the veggies evenly exposed to the heat. Work the spinach into the bottom of the wok. As soon as the spinach wilts, the dish is done. The idea is to keep the veggies crisp tender, with plenty of color, not wilted and mushy.
1/28/2012 Smoothie Variation:
I found that the small amount of sherbet, while it tasted good, was not so good for my lactose intolerance. This morning I tried a variation using only soy milk for liquid, and half the protein powder.
1 Cup frozen organic berries (same mix as previous recipe)
2 Tsp Agave syrup
1 scoop protein powder
Soy milk
Blend all ingredients, adding enough soy milk a little at a time
