Helping a Cancer Fighter Increase Their Food Intake
October 15, 2009
As a caregiver to a cancer fighter, it is important for you to realize they cannot leave the hospital until several certain requirements -vital statistics, etc- are reached. One of those requirements is that they are eating enough calories per day and their weight is at an acceptable level to their Physician. Having been a primary caregiver to my Mom while she was fighting 4th stage colon cancer (and she won!), I learned many things the long or hard way that helped her tremendously. Please use the following information to assist your cancer fighter so they don’t have to wait any longer to increase their quality of life in these areas.
With the many drugs cancer fighters are on, often their short-term memory is affected. Notice which foods your patient likes during the current phase of the fight and be sure to have those foods on hand at all times. Keep an updated list of what they will eat at this time – they may not be able to come up with what sounds good to them on the spot without this listMany times meat will sound terrible to them, so be creative. Do not mention foods to them that don’t sound good to them, as they are usually so nauseated this can cause them further physical distress.
Protein builds the immune system, so protein shakes, peanut butter, beans, meat, etc will greatly assist their body in fighting this war with cancer. Carbohydrates are very important to keep their energy and blood sugar levels up. Carbohydrates such as cream of wheat, pasta, tomato soup, toast, chicken noodle soup, and other bland, non-spicy foods are good choices.
As caregivers, you must remind them that they are not eating for fun, they are eating to survive. Food is only medicine and must be eaten often whether they are hungry or not. We would run to all sorts of restaurants and fast food places to get something that sounded good to her, and we kept a variety of snacks in her room that she would nibble on.
People tend to eat more when served food on large plates (so the portion of food looks smaller) and when others eat with them (humans are social eaters) or when they are distracted such as watching a movie or TV. Make sure to create this helpful environment and plate presentation at each meal. Serve them 6-10 small meals per day to keep their weight and strength up. If they are too nauseous or refuse to eat, ask your doctor about intravenous feeding until they are healthier.
It may be helpful when undergoing chemotherapy and radiation to avoid metal bowls, pots, pans and utensils when preparing and serving food to your Loved One (patient) since metal can change the flavor of foods to them during this time. Use plastic and glass.
Cancer is a sugar feeder so they should avoid eating refined sugar unless the only thing they will eat right now contains sugar. The number of calories is more important – they will have to “eat their way out of the hospital” to gain enough weight to go home.
Angela Peterson, Author, “Healed! Strength for Caregivers, Cancer Fighters, and Other Serious Illness Fighters: A Crash Course in What to DO Spiritually and Practically. To order, visit www.CaregiverStrength.com Only $13.99 Buy one for yourself or for a friend in need today!
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