Cooking for Someone on Chemotherapy

[Al the Pal]

Just wondering if anyone had suggestions of foods to buy or prepare for someone who has started chemotherapy. I know different types of chemo can affect people differently and even the same type of drugs can affect people differently. Also there is a family with kids. I didn't know if I should make something for everyone or maybe make a lasagna (or something kid friendly) in addition to something separate for the person under treatment. Any ideas???? Thanks so much.

[lperry]

It's going to be different with each person.  Some people lose their appetites, others have changes in taste, others get mouth sores that eliminate anything acidic from their diets, etc.  If you know who the caretaker is, I would suggest a simple note expressing your wish to help out by cooking, and then see what s/he suggests.

It's really very kind of you.  

[DonRocks]

I would suggest a simple note expressing your wish to help out by cooking, and then see what s/he suggests.

It's really very kind of you.  

This is an excellent suggestion. And it *is* very kind of you.

[Cizuka Seki]

Just wondering if anyone had suggestions of foods to buy or prepare for someone who has started chemotherapy. I know different types of chemo can affect people differently and even the same type of drugs can affect people differently. Also there is a family with kids. I didn't know if I should make something for everyone or maybe make a lasagna (or something kid friendly) in addition to something separate for the person under treatment. Any ideas???? Thanks so much.

i wouldn't overthink it too much.  but i found that foods you can freeze (including lasagna) are helpful.  at the end of the day though, any family who has a member battling cancer is going to be grateful for all the help they can get.

[bookluvingbabe]

Just adding: freezable in small portions for the days where they might just want a taste of something but not want to handle defrosting a huge lasagna.  

[lizzie]

Having gone through chemo, it is true that your tastes can change, and can continue to change throughout treatment. Friends made/froze broths, to which we could add vegetables/meats/noodles for quick soups or stews, or could be consumed just as a simple broth. The small portion idea above is a good one. If the kids are younger, maybe some individual meals for them, or fun things for school lunches/add-ons or evening snacks. Pick up a roast chicken and make or buy some sides that can be reheated or prepared quickly/easily. Make a nice salad and deliver a pizza or kebabs. Even if the patient isn't sick from the chemo, the exhaustion from it and related medications often made even thinking about what to cook a chore, so any help you can provide will likely be more than welcome. Also, know that even when the treatments end, the side effects continue for several more weeks, so keep the offer of help outstanding even then. Offers as simple as picking up a few items at the grocery store saved me from dragging myself there some days, not only letting me rest easier, but also avoid many of the flu/cold germs swarming this time of year.

Your friend may find totally new food desires or aversions. I generally eat no red meat or poultry, but throughout my treatments, I craved simply prepared red meats, such as burgers, steak and sausage, as well as anything vinegar-based, and greens. Bittersweet/dark chocolate and nuts were my go-to snack throughout. I could barely look at or smell any seafood, which has been a dietary staple in my house for nearly 6 years (pescatarian daughter.)  I also could not tolerate any dairy product (including cheeses), not even in very small amounts such as milk in coffee. Now almost two years out, I still have not recovered a taste for anything too sweet/syrupy or some dairy products.