WHAT CAN I EAT???

Linda C.
Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I'm 33 days out of treatment from radiation therapy for BOT SCC.  I have had a hard time swallowing water but am getting better with that.  I don't choke as much anymore.  I have started trying different types of food to see if I could swallow as well as handle the metallic taste.  Nothing I've tried works.  I'm beginning to think it is too soon to try and eat - although my Oncologist said to start.  What are some of the foods that you can suggest for me to try at this stage of my healing?  I'm diabetic and am limited to the amount of sugar I can have.  I am having a Swallow Test tomorrow and hope I can get some guidance from them. 

«1

Comments

  • Linda C.
    Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
    #2
    CivilMatt said:

    try till you strike gold

    Linda,

    If you can master water swallowing, you are on your way.

    I tried everything (applesauce, bananas, mashed potatoes, yogurt, pudding, etc).  I did not have diabetes to adjust my menu, just the weird taste and feel.

    I ate tons of cucumbers and tomatoes with olive oil (each to their own).

    Happy meals ahead.

    Matt

    I tried baked potatoe with

    I tried baked potatoe with butter.  It was awful.  Also tried pudding - awful.  Soup - awful.  How many weeks after treatment did you try these foods?

  • Sprint Car Dude
    Sprint Car Dude Member Posts: 181
    #3
    Magic Pill

    I lived on milk and water for months before I could add anything to my diet. Then it was frozen waffles with butter and syrup for a few months. Food is still a stuggle at 10 months out.  I know the waffle thing was weird. Hey, it worked. LOL... GOOD LUCK, you will find that Magic Pill that will go down easily for you eventually.

  • Linda C.
    Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
    edited September 2017 #4
    Sprint Car Dude said:

    Magic Pill

    I lived on milk and water for months before I could add anything to my diet. Then it was frozen waffles with butter and syrup for a few months. Food is still a stuggle at 10 months out.  I know the waffle thing was weird. Hey, it worked. LOL... GOOD LUCK, you will find that Magic Pill that will go down easily for you eventually.

    I think I'm trying this too

    I think I'm trying this too soon after treatment.  My throat still has a lot of inflamation according to the Oncologist, yet he wants me to start eating.  I think I'll wait another month or so.  

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #5
    try till you strike gold

    Linda,

    If you can master water swallowing, you are on your way.

    I tried everything (applesauce, bananas, mashed potatoes, yogurt, pudding, etc).  I did not have diabetes to adjust my menu, just the weird taste and feel.

    I ate tons of cucumbers and tomatoes with olive oil (each to their own).

    Happy meals ahead.

    Matt

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #6
    magic pills, tried them

    I was trying foods from day one.

    There is a pill called miracle fruit which gives your taste buds a kick.

    I used to get orange slices ready and take 2 miracle fruits and eat the oranges quickly.  I wouldn’t call it a miracle, but it was fun to try (no kidding).

    Matt

  • 3123jarade
    3123jarade Member Posts: 2
    #7
    Beans, Chile

    Believe me was difficult but wanted weight back. refried beans smooth and just a hint of chile was great. Lived on it for about a month along with mashed taters with gravy. Solid and smooth.. Keep the Faith

  • Klingels
    Klingels Member Posts: 78
    edited September 2017 #8
    Eating

    My husband is 9 weeks post treatment and having the same struggles.  He has been trying different foods this week for the first time as his pain level has finally lessened. So far he doesn't like anything even different flavored soups. He had a swallowing evaluation today and was told he needs to start eating soft foods and to drink all of his water through his mouth.

  • soonermom
    soonermom Member Posts: 155
    #9
    Klingels said:

    Eating

    My husband is 9 weeks post treatment and having the same struggles.  He has been trying different foods this week for the first time as his pain level has finally lessened. So far he doesn't like anything even different flavored soups. He had a swallowing evaluation today and was told he needs to start eating soft foods and to drink all of his water through his mouth.

    Eating

    Klingles, hang in there.  My husband is 21 weeks post-treatment.  At nine weeks he had horrible food aversions to the taste, texture and smell of almost all foods.  It has gotten better!  He has much of his taste back.  His struggle now is lack of saliva which makes eating still a challenge but manageable.  We are adjusting to the need to constantly monitor his calories.  He can eat all fruits now.  He can drink almost anything.  During treatment VHC Boost kept him alive.  Now it is the real food I put in the Vitamix that is getting him through.  Love the idea of the refried beans.  I am going to try that.  Also, one of the first calorie dense foods he could tolerate was avocado.  But honestly, it just took time to get over the taste issues.  I just kept offering him foods every single day, every meal.  Something that revolted him one day, he could tolerate a few days later.  Just keep experimenting and don't take anything about food personally and try not to get discouraged.  

  • armana
    armana Member Posts: 97 Member
    #10
    My recommendation

    Linda, go to an all you can eat buffet lunch or dinner where you can try everyting to find out what works for you.

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #11
    Linda C. said:

    I think I'm trying this too

    I think I'm trying this too soon after treatment.  My throat still has a lot of inflamation according to the Oncologist, yet he wants me to start eating.  I think I'll wait another month or so.  

    I think you have to go at

    I think you have to go at your own pace but just make sure you're taking in enough nutrition to keep gaining strength.  Maybe some nutritious smoothies with protein powder.  Somone posted a recipe for a smoothie a while ago here that sounded good.

  • Andy13460
    Andy13460 Member Posts: 115
    edited September 2017 #12
    Eating

    I was eating most things after 3 weeks Im 12 weeks out and everything tastes normal now Im just missing a bit of saliva with dry foods. Try boiled eggs they should work I was eating them all the way through.

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    #13
    The buffet is a great idea.

    The buffet is a great idea. We did that too. Also try making some soft scrambled eggs.

  • FamilyLove
    FamilyLove Member Posts: 22 Member
    #14
    Soft foods

    I'm 18 months post treatment and things still taste strange.  I still struggle with food.  When I first tried food again I ate a lot of milkshakes.  I added extra milk to mashed potatoes.  I also tried scrambled eggs and cream soups.  Pretty much any soft food is a good starting place.  Egg salad is another thing I eat.  I don't think my eating will ever be normal again but I pray yours will.  Good luck and keep trying.

  • Linda C.
    Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
    #15
    Swallow Study

    Arrived at the Radiology Department of the hospital today for a Swallow Study to see if I am aspirating into my lungs.  The samples of food they had prepared for me ranged from water to pudding.  They asked of I was willing to try meat and I refused.  

     

    I didn't choke on any of these items.  I was asked to take larger amounts into my mouth which made it hard for me to swallow but I did it.  They were watching my x-ray image on a monitor in another room.  

     

    When it was over the technician explained that the food I swallow tries to go down my windpipe but then pops back up.  She said that she thought the results would be worse than what she saw.  It's not good but it's not that bad.

     

    She gave me some hand outs of guidelines to follow for swallowing as well as what thickening agents I need to use in the liquids I swallow.  I am to only swallow Nectar-like Liquids for now.   I am to follow a Puree Diet.  I will continue to use the PEG tube for nutrition. 

     

    She will send my doctor her report.  She is recommending Speech Therapy.

  • JennaM
    JennaM Member Posts: 12 Member
    #16
    CivilMatt said:

    try till you strike gold

    Linda,

    If you can master water swallowing, you are on your way.

    I tried everything (applesauce, bananas, mashed potatoes, yogurt, pudding, etc).  I did not have diabetes to adjust my menu, just the weird taste and feel.

    I ate tons of cucumbers and tomatoes with olive oil (each to their own).

    Happy meals ahead.

    Matt

    Tonsil cancer 4 session of radiation still to go through

    How could you reat tomatos??? I cannot handle them at all, and there is not much that I can accrually eat.  Sorry my name is Jenna and I am at the end of my radiation; still more to go.  Have issues with swallowing, pain and mouth sores!!! Any idea how to get better soon???

    Thank you for anything!!!

  • JennaM
    JennaM Member Posts: 12 Member
    #17
    New to the side, still in a

    New to the side, still in a radiation treatment; 4 more to go.  Lots of pain and food test horrible.  Try drinking fluids but it hurts.  Any idea what can help for mouth sores and swallowin??? Any help appreciated.

     

  • Klingels
    Klingels Member Posts: 78
    #18
    soonermom said:

    Eating

    Klingles, hang in there.  My husband is 21 weeks post-treatment.  At nine weeks he had horrible food aversions to the taste, texture and smell of almost all foods.  It has gotten better!  He has much of his taste back.  His struggle now is lack of saliva which makes eating still a challenge but manageable.  We are adjusting to the need to constantly monitor his calories.  He can eat all fruits now.  He can drink almost anything.  During treatment VHC Boost kept him alive.  Now it is the real food I put in the Vitamix that is getting him through.  Love the idea of the refried beans.  I am going to try that.  Also, one of the first calorie dense foods he could tolerate was avocado.  But honestly, it just took time to get over the taste issues.  I just kept offering him foods every single day, every meal.  Something that revolted him one day, he could tolerate a few days later.  Just keep experimenting and don't take anything about food personally and try not to get discouraged.  

    Thank you

    That is good to know about the food aversions. Yes. I have been starting to wonder if he is going to like any foods. Thank you for your advise.

  • Dean54
    Dean54 Member Posts: 160 Member
    edited September 2017 #19
    I haven't even started

    I haven't even started treatment yet but have lost 13 lbs just from the tonsillectomy, teeth pull, feeding tube, etc. so can't imagine what it's going to be like down the road. Still can't taste anything and eating is a chore and it's only going to get worse. 

    I know most of you are grateful to be alive even without one of life's pleasures mostly gone, not so sure I feel that way at this point but hope that changes down the road.

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #20
    JennaM said:

    Tonsil cancer 4 session of radiation still to go through

    How could you reat tomatos??? I cannot handle them at all, and there is not much that I can accrually eat.  Sorry my name is Jenna and I am at the end of my radiation; still more to go.  Have issues with swallowing, pain and mouth sores!!! Any idea how to get better soon???

    Thank you for anything!!!

    lots of tomatoes post with high calorie olive oil

    JennaM,

    There is a world of difference between what you can eat during treatments and what you can eat post treatments.  The tomatoes were post treatment during the 7 months I was drinking mostly smoothies.   During treatments I was on the PEG & smoothies & protein (energy) drinks and little bites of food to know were my food aversion had gone.

    Matt

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #21
    Foods

    As you know everyone is different and especially because of your dietary restrictions.  But here are some that worked for me.

    1.  Whipped Potatoes - These are made from dehydrated potato flakes and are very smooth.  Add extra butter and make them as thin as you need.

    2.  Tuna Salad - Use extra Mayo and chop fine

    3.  Chicken Salad/Egg Salad - same as Tuna Salad

    4.  Creamed soups were better for me than liquid soups and I tended to stay away from anything that had chunks

    5.  Grilled/broiled fish

    Use plastic utensils to minimize metalic taste

    I stayed away from heavy spice, citic acid items such as oranges, lemons, limes, etc.

    Ease into foods and don't get discouraged if you can't eat something today, as you might be able to eat it in the future.

     

Discussion Boards