Post by Deanne Jenkyns on Jun 25, 2007 19:06:56 GMT 1
Poor Appetite
Changes in your eating habits and a loss of appetite may occur as a result of cancer and its treatment. Not eating can lead to weight loss and this can cause weakness and fatigue. Eating as well as you can is an important part of taking care of yourself.
What to Do
Eat small meals or snacks every 1 to 2 hours.
Avoid liquids with meals or use small sips of liquids (unless needed to help swallow or for dry mouth) to keep from feeling full early. Drink most of your liquids between meals.
Make eating more enjoyable by setting the table with pretty dishes and playing your favorite music, watching television, or visiting with friends.
Be as physically active as possible. Start off slowly and gradually increase your activity as you feel stronger.
Keep high-calorie, high-protein snacks on hand. Try hard-cooked eggs, peanut butter, cheese, ice cream, granola bars, nutritional supplements, puddings, nuts, canned tuna or chicken, or trail mix.
Review the tips on adding calories and protein to foods and include these in meals and snacks throughout the day.
Eat your favorite foods any time of the day; for example if you like breakfast foods, eat them for dinner.
Ask your doctor about medications to help relieve constipation, nausea, pain, or other side effects you have.
Food List: What to Eat (High-Protein Foods)
Milk products: Eat cheese on toast or with crackers. Add grated cheddar cheese to baked potatoes, vegetables, soups, noodles, meat, and fruit. Use milk for cooking in place of water for cereal and cream soups. Include cream sauces on vegetables and pasta. Add powdered milk to cream soups and mashed potatoes, puddings and casseroles. Add yogurt or cottage cheese to favorite fruits or blended smoothies.
Eggs: Keep hard-cooked eggs in the refrigerator. Chop and add to salads, casseroles, soups, and vegetables. Make a quick egg salad. All eggs should be well cooked to avoid the risk of harmful bacteria.
Meats, poultry, and fish: Add leftover cooked meats to soups, casseroles, salads, and omelets. Mix diced and flaked meat with sour cream and spices to make dip.
Beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds: Sprinkle seeds or nuts on desserts such as fruit, ice cream, pudding, and custard. Also serve on vegetables, salads, and pasta. Spread peanut butter on toast and fruit or blend in a milkshake.
Changes in your eating habits and a loss of appetite may occur as a result of cancer and its treatment. Not eating can lead to weight loss and this can cause weakness and fatigue. Eating as well as you can is an important part of taking care of yourself.
What to Do
Eat small meals or snacks every 1 to 2 hours.
Avoid liquids with meals or use small sips of liquids (unless needed to help swallow or for dry mouth) to keep from feeling full early. Drink most of your liquids between meals.
Make eating more enjoyable by setting the table with pretty dishes and playing your favorite music, watching television, or visiting with friends.
Be as physically active as possible. Start off slowly and gradually increase your activity as you feel stronger.
Keep high-calorie, high-protein snacks on hand. Try hard-cooked eggs, peanut butter, cheese, ice cream, granola bars, nutritional supplements, puddings, nuts, canned tuna or chicken, or trail mix.
Review the tips on adding calories and protein to foods and include these in meals and snacks throughout the day.
Eat your favorite foods any time of the day; for example if you like breakfast foods, eat them for dinner.
Ask your doctor about medications to help relieve constipation, nausea, pain, or other side effects you have.
Food List: What to Eat (High-Protein Foods)
Milk products: Eat cheese on toast or with crackers. Add grated cheddar cheese to baked potatoes, vegetables, soups, noodles, meat, and fruit. Use milk for cooking in place of water for cereal and cream soups. Include cream sauces on vegetables and pasta. Add powdered milk to cream soups and mashed potatoes, puddings and casseroles. Add yogurt or cottage cheese to favorite fruits or blended smoothies.
Eggs: Keep hard-cooked eggs in the refrigerator. Chop and add to salads, casseroles, soups, and vegetables. Make a quick egg salad. All eggs should be well cooked to avoid the risk of harmful bacteria.
Meats, poultry, and fish: Add leftover cooked meats to soups, casseroles, salads, and omelets. Mix diced and flaked meat with sour cream and spices to make dip.
Beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds: Sprinkle seeds or nuts on desserts such as fruit, ice cream, pudding, and custard. Also serve on vegetables, salads, and pasta. Spread peanut butter on toast and fruit or blend in a milkshake.