Liquid diet formulation

Don,

It all sounds real good, being prepared is half the battle. 

I lived on smoothies for 7 months, but never got that into it.  A scoop of protein powder, a hand full of almonds, a cup of whole milk (half-n-half when I needed calories), a cup of (homegrown) blueberries or Marion berries and a tablespoon of canola oil for calories.

I did not start taking a low-dose multi-vitamin until after the cancer was gone.  I read the play book for cancer and cancer loves vitamins (still debatable, but no vitamins).

The flavor of things did not matter to me because I both could not taste things and hated the taste of things (analyze that) at the same time.  Furthermore I hated the feel of 99% of all food.  My parents could not understand my situation so I placed a can of Crisco shortening on their table and said this is what food feels and tastes like to me.  I am thankful for those in the H&N forum who retain taste, flavor and feel of food I just was not one of them.  We have all heard the lack of taste being like a bad cold, well I can guarantee it is nothing like a bad cold.

The most important thing I learned from the H&N crew is about the importance of hydration and swallowing.  I started drinking lots of water before treatments started and never stopped.  It is 8pm west coast time and I will more than likely have 2 to 3 more glasses tonight.

Good luck,

Matt

donfoo said:

thanks

Matt,

I knew you were the smoothie king around here so felt the post close to your heart. I forgot to add that there is an amino supplement that enables better processing of the proteins, at least that is what I think they do. Maybe they are some form of building block, I forgot what the nutritionist said when I asked her about the role of amino acids.

 

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Q: What is in XTEND?
A:  XTEND is commonly thought of as simply a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplement, but that is like saying a Navy SEAL is a sailor who can swim really well. There’s so much more to the story.  XTEND contains:

1. BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine,) in a research validated 2:1:1 ratio to stimulate and support muscle protein synthesis and provide metabolic energy while you train.†

2. Glutamine to promote muscle intracellular BCAA metabolism down the correct energy and protein synthesis pathways via the BCAA aminotransferase enzyme.†

3. Vitamin B6 to ensure optimal BCAA aminotransferase reactions.†

4. Bonded Citrulline Malate to help facilitate rapid ATP turnover and lactate re-absorption to support higher training volumes at a given exercise intensity.†

5. Electrolytes  (potassium, chloride and sodium) to optimize cell hydration and muscle contractile function while you train even under the most brutal of conditions.†

Link to the amino supplement: Scivation.com XTEND 

http://scivation.com/XTEND.aspx

I was into body building many years ago. Smoothies/protien shakes were a staple in my diet. I'm all stocked up on smoothie/protien shake ingredients. My shake consists of ice, whole milk, a serving (or a little more) of vanilla protein powder (EAS tastes great), glutamine, BCAAs , a teaspoon of linseed oil and some kind fruit for added carbs. The vanilla protein is great for adding flavors. While flavor won't matter when treatment begins, for now it's wonderful. A little bit of cinnamon in a banana shake is delicious. They're also pretty easy on the throat and I imagine pegging it would be easy should I have to go that route.

"T" 

plus a host of other things to whip with it....usually half 'n' half.....and since avacado is so healthy, but basically tasteless, it mixed good with other things.  Once I was on the tube, tho....even the Boost was more thick than I wanted to wait (takes a long time to get down the tube)....not to mention I was SO tired....the smoothies went out the window, and I poured Boost mixed with milk down the tube, and drank milk during the day. 

Please run any suppliments you take by your Oncologist or DO.....cancer cells like a number of things that are "healthy" for us when we are presumably healthy....but when we're getting rads and or chemo, they can be counter productive.

p

Don & T

I wish you both the very best of luck maintaining your ability to taste.  Taste became secondary or of no concern for me.

Living off of smoothies did not stop me from sampling foods (all kinds, all the time).  There were always hints of flavor, salty, sweet, spicy, etc.   I now enjoy food with the “normal people” and I am extremely thankful for where this journey has led (so far).

Student of Smoothies (if I were a King I would have a crown, I have no crown).

Matt