Cancer patients undergoing or finishing chemotherapy or radiation treatments can have special dietary needs. The side effects of treatment paired with complications from mood or surgeries can result in loss of appetite, weight loss or muscle wasting. All these can compromise recovery, prognosis and survival. The patient simply lacks the strength or stamina to continue treatments. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center suggests that easy recipe modifications can be made to any menu. Whether the food needs to be pureed, liquefied or can be eaten whole, the patient can still receive the necessary calorie boost at each meal without compromising taste quality.
Milk and Power Milk
Many common foods, such as casseroles, puddings, soups, yogurt and milkshakes, can be further enhanced with the addition of cream and whole-fat milk products. Yale Medical Group recommends increasing food calories by adding nonfat dry milk to whole milk, or Carnation Instant Breakfast powder to whole milk added in recipes to boost caloric intake by 130 to 300 calories per 8-oz. serving. For cancer patients susceptible to infection, only pasteurized milk products are recommended. Half and half, heavy whipping cream, butter, mayonnaise and sour cream are also options.
Cheese
Cheese, cottage cheese and cream cheese spreads may also be used in most recipes for a caloric boost. According to Yale Medical Group, adding cheese or similar products to recipes adds richness and flavor while lending creaminess to eggs, casseroles, potatoes, soups or as a topping to meat or vegetables. The addition of cheese can add an average of 100 extra calories per ounce, providing they come from a whole-fat variety. Soft mold-ripened cheeses, such as bleu, Roquefort or any unpasteurized cheeses, are not recommended as they may increase the risk of contracting a food-borne illness.
Eggs and Egg Substitutes
Egg and egg substitutes can increase caloric intake and add richness to many popular dishes. For example, the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests incorporating eggs or their substitutes to casseroles, meat loaf, mashed potatoes, hot cereal or macaroni and cheese. They may also be used to increase calories in pancake batters, batters for other foods and french toast. Eggs should be cooked thoroughly to avoid complications resulting from salmonella.
Nut Butters
Nut butters also come in handy and can be used to add texture and flavor as well as calories to many dishes. They can be added by the tablespoon to milkshakes, smoothies, soups, yogurt and granola or enjoyed on bread or crackers. The National Cancer Institute suggests that nut butters may be of particular interest among those who suffer from appetite loss. They provide a quick caloric boost and easy preparation with fresh sliced fruits or vegetables. Nut butters can add 95 extra calories per tablespoon.
Liquid Nutrition Supplements
In some patients, getting adequate nutrition can be difficult. Surgeries and complications resulting from cancer may limit their ability to chew or swallow foods whole. Liquid nutritional supplements, such as Benecalorie by Nestle Nutrition, come in a variety of flavors and can be poured into milkshakes, smoothies or essentially any blended foods for extra calorie benefit. According to Moffitt Cancer Center, liquid nutritional supplements can boost intake by 330 calories per serving.
References
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: Managing Loss of Appetite (Anorexia) from Cancer Therapy
- Yale Medical Group: Nutrition and Cancer, High Protein Foods
- University of Rochester Medical Group: Nutrition and Cancer, High Protein Foods
- National Cancer Institute: Eating Hints
- Moffitt Cancer Center: Moffitt Milkshake Recipes
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