Nutrition is of prime importance when dealing with the effects of cancer and chemotherapy. As a cancer patient, you are probably aware of the changes your body is going through and how they can affect your well-being. By eating high calorie foods, you can give your body the energy it needs to help combat cancer. Sometimes this is difficult due to the side effects of chemotherapy and other treatments.
Some easy ways to add quick calories to your diet are to include high fat foods in meals. Starting off the day with protein pancakes with butter gives your long lasting energy from protein and extra calories from butter. An easy way to add good, unsaturated fats to your meal is avocado. A recipe from Pinch of Yum, blends avocado, olive oil, pistachios and spices to make a sauce. This delicious sauce can be added to burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and salads for an extra calorie boost. If you are craving fried foods, frying chicken tenders in coconut oil is another way to get some extra calories from fat. Simply adding mayonnaise to sandwiches can help you take in just a few more calories. Another good calorie boosting recipe is for avocado chicken salad. By adding one avocado, along with mayonnaise, to your own chicken salad recipe you can put more energy into your body.
There are many helpful websites with easy, fun recipes! Some of my favorites are:
For recipes specifically created for cancer survivors, check out these sites:
Finding ways to add calories to your meals can be easy as well as flavorful. Don’t be afraid to get creative as you figure out what tastes good and what works with your schedule. Depending on your appetite and tastes, try to add at least one fat containing food to each meal. While the nausea that often comes with cancer treatments can be debilitating to your appetite, giving your body plenty of calories can help you fight as well as keeping you full and healthy.
Carolyn Copenhaver, Senior Student in the Lipscomb University Didactic Program in Dietetics
