What is good to eat and drink after Chemo?

kickcancer
kickcancer Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Long story short, I am looking for information for a caregiver and her friend. Friend started Chemo and she is having hard time eating and drinking anything. We thought about a juicer and making some kind of smoothies and shakes for her. Also adding some kind of protein to help keep her strength up. I am thinking the high sugar content and acid in fruits might be to much for her. Any suggestions?
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Comments

  • divablu
    divablu Member Posts: 75
    Eat protein ...
    When I had my mastectomy the surgical nurse told me to eat smoothies made out of organic yogurt, add soy protein, powdered milk, and any berry that is blue (blue berries, boysen berries, black berries, etc.) as the blue berries are cancer fighters. She also suggested to add an egg to the smoothie for added protein. This was my main diet for the first 8 weeks of chemo.

    For nausea, I took everything the doctor gave me, but what really helped was a tea made from ginger root. I boiled slices of ginger root, then to my cup of ginger water I added honey and lemon. This I sipped on all day and it really helped.

    I quit drinking milk, stomach couldn't tolerate it. Soy milk has also been great for me. And more protein as well!

    She just has to try an eat whatever she can. I hope she likes yogurt, the smoothies were a real help to be.

    Good luck!
  • divablu
    divablu Member Posts: 75
    Eat protein ...
    When I had my mastectomy the surgical nurse told me to eat smoothies made out of organic yogurt, add soy protein, powdered milk, and any berry that is blue (blue berries, boysen berries, black berries, etc.) as the blue berries are cancer fighters. She also suggested to add an egg to the smoothie for added protein. This was my main diet for the first 8 weeks of chemo.

    For nausea, I took everything the doctor gave me, but what really helped was a tea made from ginger root. I boiled slices of ginger root, then to my cup of ginger water I added honey and lemon. This I sipped on all day and it really helped.

    I quit drinking milk, stomach couldn't tolerate it. Soy milk has also been great for me. And more protein as well!

    She just has to try an eat whatever she can. I hope she likes yogurt, the smoothies were a real help to be.

    Good luck!
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    If your friend's tumor was
    If your friend's tumor was estrogen positive, don't use soy milk. Soy has natural estrogen which is a no no for us girls that had estrogen positive tumors. When I was going through chemo, the few foods that my stomach could tolerate where mash potatoes, roasted chicken breast and yogurt. Wasn't able to eat anything else for 4 months. My kids would make me smoothies with fresh fruits like berries and bananas and frozen yogurt. If you need more protein, go to a health food store and get whey protein put it in the smoothies. You can also try Ensure, and if she doesn't like the taste you can add ice cream and ice and blend it. Keep us posted. Hugs, Lili
  • Derbygirl
    Derbygirl Member Posts: 198
    I had change of taste during
    I had change of taste during chemo on about day 6 of each treatment and foods that I once liked were no longer tolerable. This improved around day 14. I loved diet coke, but water became my favorite drink because it didn't change in taste and we're urged to drink plenty of water after chemo anyway. I also found that eating small frequent meals was helpful with nausea. You can also cook and freeze meals for times when she feels like eating. Everyone reacts differently to chemo drugs and it might be a trial and error effort to find foods for your friend. My oncologist said to eat whatever I could during chemo and worry about healthy eating after treatment. It worked for me. Good luck!
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143

    If your friend's tumor was
    If your friend's tumor was estrogen positive, don't use soy milk. Soy has natural estrogen which is a no no for us girls that had estrogen positive tumors. When I was going through chemo, the few foods that my stomach could tolerate where mash potatoes, roasted chicken breast and yogurt. Wasn't able to eat anything else for 4 months. My kids would make me smoothies with fresh fruits like berries and bananas and frozen yogurt. If you need more protein, go to a health food store and get whey protein put it in the smoothies. You can also try Ensure, and if she doesn't like the taste you can add ice cream and ice and blend it. Keep us posted. Hugs, Lili

    soy milk
    Just to add, my doctor does not want me to have soy either -- even though my cancer is not estrogen positive. She is worried about the xenoestrogens in soy and their role in breast cancer in general. For milk, I have switched to rice milk. Dairy can be hard on the stomach. Many persons going through chemo become temporarily lactose intolerant.

    Mimi
  • redriverartist
    redriverartist Member Posts: 54
    Penta water! It has no bad
    Penta water! It has no bad taste and is the only kind I can drink right now. Oh, guess I should add coke floats made with caffiene-free cokes. LOL!!!!!!
  • divablu
    divablu Member Posts: 75

    If your friend's tumor was
    If your friend's tumor was estrogen positive, don't use soy milk. Soy has natural estrogen which is a no no for us girls that had estrogen positive tumors. When I was going through chemo, the few foods that my stomach could tolerate where mash potatoes, roasted chicken breast and yogurt. Wasn't able to eat anything else for 4 months. My kids would make me smoothies with fresh fruits like berries and bananas and frozen yogurt. If you need more protein, go to a health food store and get whey protein put it in the smoothies. You can also try Ensure, and if she doesn't like the taste you can add ice cream and ice and blend it. Keep us posted. Hugs, Lili

    soy ...
    Do you have a web site or other information on this?
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    Food tasted differently when
    Food tasted differently when I went through chemo so I had what I wanted. Mostly comfort food. Dad's Cookies with tea and lots of vanilla ice cream with tons of chocolate syrup.
    Can't really remember anything else. Just getting food down is important. My husband ate homemade pizza's and tarts during his. That's all he felt like eating.
    jan
  • divablu
    divablu Member Posts: 75
    mimivac said:

    soy milk
    Just to add, my doctor does not want me to have soy either -- even though my cancer is not estrogen positive. She is worried about the xenoestrogens in soy and their role in breast cancer in general. For milk, I have switched to rice milk. Dairy can be hard on the stomach. Many persons going through chemo become temporarily lactose intolerant.

    Mimi

    Web site on the pros and
    Web site on the pros and cons of soy.

    http://www.vegetarian-nutrition.info/vn/soy_breast_cancer.php
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    I liked Chinese fried rice
    I liked Chinese fried rice from a restaurant. Also I liked corn bread with strawberries on top. We'd buy the corn bread from Boston Market. Now I just make it with a package mix.
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    divablu said:

    soy ...
    Do you have a web site or other information on this?

    Site
    Here is one of the sites:

    www.healthcastle.com/soy-breastcancer.shtml

    The problem is not in pre-menopausal women but in post.

    My oncologist told me to avoid all soy products because of that. So, I don't eat soy products.

    Hugs, Lili
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    Chemo Taste
    Thank you all for the suggestions you gave kickcancer. I'm having the same problem with foods not tasting well. Nothing seems to taste good, and it is getting harder to keep my weight. I lost 16 pounds between diagnosis and after first treatment, and I am just trying to hang on and not lose anymore. The onc. nurse did stress eating protein, so I am eating as much as I can (I did find that chicken tastes almost like chicken).

    For those of you who had changed tastes, does it get worse with each treatment? Also, any other foods anyone can recommend? The ice cream w/ chocolate syrup sounds good, but even chocolate does not taste like chocolate,or even close--it is very sad when a woman cannot taste chocolate!
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    Moopy23 said:

    Chemo Taste
    Thank you all for the suggestions you gave kickcancer. I'm having the same problem with foods not tasting well. Nothing seems to taste good, and it is getting harder to keep my weight. I lost 16 pounds between diagnosis and after first treatment, and I am just trying to hang on and not lose anymore. The onc. nurse did stress eating protein, so I am eating as much as I can (I did find that chicken tastes almost like chicken).

    For those of you who had changed tastes, does it get worse with each treatment? Also, any other foods anyone can recommend? The ice cream w/ chocolate syrup sounds good, but even chocolate does not taste like chocolate,or even close--it is very sad when a woman cannot taste chocolate!

    Milkshakes
    Goodmorning! Eating protein is also the advice i got. I have been craving milkshakes, they still taste the same and also soothing for your mouth and throat. A friend/bc survivor told me that her onc. said not to drink milk? this has me worried. She said she was told to drink soy? her cancer was a little different but it makes me wonder.Has anyone been told that?

    I find that eating spicy foods or acidic gives me heartburn and alot of burning in my throat, i love spicy foods so this is disapointing. smoothies taste great though.

    Moopy, I have not lost any weight..quite the opposite. I found the 16 #s that you lost!! This is also frustrating. I know i am not as active as i used to be and the weather has been to cold and icy to walk. The chemo nurses tell me its because of the steroids..i think its because of the milkshakes! I wonder does this weight come off when your done with steroids? I'm sure i will have to start a excersise program. and start eating healthy. But right now i'm tring to eat what i can. gaining weight is not good either. Have you tried whey protien mixed in with drinks moopie? I do that. or maybe ensure?
    Ps i still like chocolate it doesn't taste quite the same but i still like the texture and how it feels melting on the roof of your mouth.
    God bless
    Jackie
  • divablu
    divablu Member Posts: 75
    rjjj said:

    Milkshakes
    Goodmorning! Eating protein is also the advice i got. I have been craving milkshakes, they still taste the same and also soothing for your mouth and throat. A friend/bc survivor told me that her onc. said not to drink milk? this has me worried. She said she was told to drink soy? her cancer was a little different but it makes me wonder.Has anyone been told that?

    I find that eating spicy foods or acidic gives me heartburn and alot of burning in my throat, i love spicy foods so this is disapointing. smoothies taste great though.

    Moopy, I have not lost any weight..quite the opposite. I found the 16 #s that you lost!! This is also frustrating. I know i am not as active as i used to be and the weather has been to cold and icy to walk. The chemo nurses tell me its because of the steroids..i think its because of the milkshakes! I wonder does this weight come off when your done with steroids? I'm sure i will have to start a excersise program. and start eating healthy. But right now i'm tring to eat what i can. gaining weight is not good either. Have you tried whey protien mixed in with drinks moopie? I do that. or maybe ensure?
    Ps i still like chocolate it doesn't taste quite the same but i still like the texture and how it feels melting on the roof of your mouth.
    God bless
    Jackie

    Shakes & Smoothies ...
    Going through my chemo I couldn't drink milk. Upset my stomach. I couldn't eat chocolate during chemo either ... But I can now during radiation! ;-]

    I had a terribly upset/acid stomach when I started the Taxol treatment. My oncologist suggested I take Prilosec, and that did the trick. My onc suggested that I take it every day, but I just used is on an "as needed basis". Try that.

    About soy ... Of course there will be differing opinions. So, I called my oncologist. I am drinkng soy milk with my coffee and instead of milk. I have half a cup of coffee with half a cup of soy milk. I still can't drink my usual cup of black coffee.

    Anyway, I called my oncologist about the soy dialogue we have been having here. He said the concern was with artifical soy supplements. He gave me the OK to keep drinking my soy milk.

    I lost a pound a week during chemo. Made me happy! One of the side effects of radiation is lose of appetite. Works for me! More weight loss!

    If you are doing smoothies, I would recommend yogurt, not frozen, but an organic yogurt with all the good bactria in it. This will also help to rebalance your stomach problems. Mix the smoothie with yogurt, dry milk, any blue colored berry (cancer fighting berries are blue), or berry of choice ... add some type of protein powder. I lived on these for 16 weeks during chemo, and still like them!

    Also, drink instant breakfast ... has protein and tastes good. Can do chocolate with the instant breakfast.

    Anyway, these things worked for me. I'm sure you will find what works best for you.

    Huggs!
  • NYGMom
    NYGMom Member Posts: 34
    Moopy23 said:

    Chemo Taste
    Thank you all for the suggestions you gave kickcancer. I'm having the same problem with foods not tasting well. Nothing seems to taste good, and it is getting harder to keep my weight. I lost 16 pounds between diagnosis and after first treatment, and I am just trying to hang on and not lose anymore. The onc. nurse did stress eating protein, so I am eating as much as I can (I did find that chicken tastes almost like chicken).

    For those of you who had changed tastes, does it get worse with each treatment? Also, any other foods anyone can recommend? The ice cream w/ chocolate syrup sounds good, but even chocolate does not taste like chocolate,or even close--it is very sad when a woman cannot taste chocolate!

    Give Potatoes A Try
    Oh Moopy I feel your pain... who would think it possible for chocolate to not taste good... but it taste awful to me right now too! In fact there is not much I can stand to eat at all right now however... I have found that I can tolerate potatoes in any form... baked is best:) that way you can add cheese, butter or whatever sounds good at the moment. You might give them a try. My husband has made many trips to Bob Evans to get me a baked potato since chemo started... and himself dinner as well since I can not tolerate the smell of food cooking. Jello has also been a life saver. I have noticed that anything that has artificial flavor, for instance vanilla pudding, does not taste good at all. It is so strange, it's almost as if my taste buds as well as my nose is working double time. Hang in there!
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    NYGMom said:

    Give Potatoes A Try
    Oh Moopy I feel your pain... who would think it possible for chocolate to not taste good... but it taste awful to me right now too! In fact there is not much I can stand to eat at all right now however... I have found that I can tolerate potatoes in any form... baked is best:) that way you can add cheese, butter or whatever sounds good at the moment. You might give them a try. My husband has made many trips to Bob Evans to get me a baked potato since chemo started... and himself dinner as well since I can not tolerate the smell of food cooking. Jello has also been a life saver. I have noticed that anything that has artificial flavor, for instance vanilla pudding, does not taste good at all. It is so strange, it's almost as if my taste buds as well as my nose is working double time. Hang in there!

    Food
    I couldn't eat anything at all from week 2 of 5 months of chemo. I stayed alive on milk and the odd beer. Baked potato was almost possible on occasion, but mostly all food tasted like poison, poison mixed with grit, or just no taste at all. I drank gallons of milk and didn't lose much weight, I know a lot of chemo patients can't stomach milk though. Hope this is a bit helpful. Jxxxxxx
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    NYGMom said:

    Give Potatoes A Try
    Oh Moopy I feel your pain... who would think it possible for chocolate to not taste good... but it taste awful to me right now too! In fact there is not much I can stand to eat at all right now however... I have found that I can tolerate potatoes in any form... baked is best:) that way you can add cheese, butter or whatever sounds good at the moment. You might give them a try. My husband has made many trips to Bob Evans to get me a baked potato since chemo started... and himself dinner as well since I can not tolerate the smell of food cooking. Jello has also been a life saver. I have noticed that anything that has artificial flavor, for instance vanilla pudding, does not taste good at all. It is so strange, it's almost as if my taste buds as well as my nose is working double time. Hang in there!

    Milkshakes, Potatoes, Protein, and Many Thanks
    Thanks, everyone, for your information and suggestions. NYGMom, you describe exactly what I am experiencing with taste, or lack of, I should say, including vanilla pudding (I didn't make the connection with artificial flavor--thanks for that, too). With earlier treatments, my sense of taste seemed to return more in the second and third weeks; after 3 treatments, the lack of taste seems to be worse.

    I will definitely try potatoes, especially baked. And I am getting my blender out of the back pantry, for milkshakes/smoothies.
  • crazylady55
    crazylady55 Member Posts: 92
    Moopy23 said:

    Milkshakes, Potatoes, Protein, and Many Thanks
    Thanks, everyone, for your information and suggestions. NYGMom, you describe exactly what I am experiencing with taste, or lack of, I should say, including vanilla pudding (I didn't make the connection with artificial flavor--thanks for that, too). With earlier treatments, my sense of taste seemed to return more in the second and third weeks; after 3 treatments, the lack of taste seems to be worse.

    I will definitely try potatoes, especially baked. And I am getting my blender out of the back pantry, for milkshakes/smoothies.

    everything tastes lousy
    I have had a lot of trouble with metal tastes. I found that Altoids help with the metal mouth. Also, my doctor said that I can worry about reducing soy after chemo. Right now I make meats (including chicken) and vegetables tolerable by putting soy sauce on them. I have a friend who says she lived on Chinese food during chemo.

    I have been gaining weight but I think I am eating too many things like potatoes and rice because they seem to help the heart burn.
  • Mikes Sunshine
    Mikes Sunshine Member Posts: 129

    everything tastes lousy
    I have had a lot of trouble with metal tastes. I found that Altoids help with the metal mouth. Also, my doctor said that I can worry about reducing soy after chemo. Right now I make meats (including chicken) and vegetables tolerable by putting soy sauce on them. I have a friend who says she lived on Chinese food during chemo.

    I have been gaining weight but I think I am eating too many things like potatoes and rice because they seem to help the heart burn.

    Scrambled eggs anyone
    I have never eaten so many scrammbled eggs in my life. Mike has been making them for me every morning. Somtimes I can eat raisin toast with them. Thank goodness so far I have not had any mouth soares so I have been able to eat frsh fruit cut up. Popscyles is another favorite. I lost a few pounds with 1st treatment but once I was feeling better I put it right back on before 2nd treatment. I am hoping not to gain any wieght as I am already over wieght and thst does nothing to help with my diabetes. I like the sound of baked potato. I think I will try those. Nancy
  • divablu
    divablu Member Posts: 75

    everything tastes lousy
    I have had a lot of trouble with metal tastes. I found that Altoids help with the metal mouth. Also, my doctor said that I can worry about reducing soy after chemo. Right now I make meats (including chicken) and vegetables tolerable by putting soy sauce on them. I have a friend who says she lived on Chinese food during chemo.

    I have been gaining weight but I think I am eating too many things like potatoes and rice because they seem to help the heart burn.

    Prilosec for heat burn. My
    Prilosec for heat burn. My oncologist told me to take Prilosec daily for heart burn ... I just used it as needed. There are over-the-counter Priosec and alernatives. Ask your pharmacist.