Advice on food ideas for husband please!

The oncology nutritionist told me to add protein drinks, since protein is so important. Because I am vegan, she found an organic vegan one for me to get. Orgain. It has 16 grams of protein. and 21 other vitamins and minerals. I drink the vanilla ones. I can't really give much advice. I don't realize I am hungry, but I force myself to eat, and with the first bite I realize I am starving. I eat everything I used to, but sometimes, I only want bland. I eat plain pasta with tomato sauce when that happens. Two nights ago, I had a plate of those frozen fries you cook in the oven, because I needed bland. If it is calories you need, I have developed a serious craving for lemonade. Did y'all see the nutritionist on his first infusion day? Mine gave me a handout that has many different scenarios to help with eating depending on what the issue is. You should definitely call the hospital nutritionist in the morning. They are trained in this and can give you many ideas. And can guide you as to the best solution for the reason he is unable to eat much. 

spaghetti maybe? Rice and custard puddings can help maintain soem weight- custard has the eggs which are good in nutrrition and easy to digest- Carnation drinks will keep his vitamins and minerals up, is easy to make- quick and can be room temp water- quick way to get proteins too- easily digested usually-  mashed up carrots, veggies, potatos- etc- I'm guessing not much is tastign good to him?

If you want quick way to gain more calories- check out muscle milk or similar nutritional drinks- they are suppsoed to add calories for weight lifters- muscle milk has a pretty good taste- i had to use it for awhile as i was down to 139 (I'm 6'3) at one point- quite sick with crohn's- all i could tolorate was bland foods, and easy to digest stuff liek custard and rice puddings for a little while (My stomach had ulcers bad from the crohn's) Musdcle milk was added and was able to pack on a few pounds fairly rapidly- Candy can add calories quicly too- but ya gotta eat a good amount- the added energy might help too- soem say sugar shoudl be avoided- but
I've also read no- do not avoid as he bodty needs as much energy as possible to stave off seriosu problems- just dont' over do it- I don't know which scenario is true- but cancer docs have weighed in on htis and many feel it's ok to have sugar, and may even be detrimental not to- you'll have to decide thoguh for yourself- Me- i was so weak i didn't care- and enjoyed the extra boost of energy when i was really sick-

Hello, thought I'd chime in here.  I would make him cream soup and add as much protein powder as possible.  I have changed my way of eating the last few years and the blender is great for getting veggies and nutrition into your foods.  Have him eat spoonfuls of peanut butter throughout the day, it will fill him up, he can use the calories and protein.  When my father broke his jaw, we would put all kinds of things in the blender.  Mashed potatoes and meatloaf, hot gravy.  It sounds gross, but he loved it, getting a hot salty "meal" through a straw.  You can also steam cauliflower and mash it in the blender with some stock for your base.  You could just use heavy cream, again, he could use the calories and fat.  you can also make tea or coffee with heavy cream.  If he is a coffee drinker, there is a drink called "bullet proof" coffee where you add hot coffee to a mixture of butter or MCT oil, and some other ingredients I can't remember.  you could also make similiar hot drinks with tea.  Smooth, soft cheeses like Havarti may also taste good to him.  I know my husband hated me reminding him every hour or so to drink or eat.  Even if I handed him something I thought would be good for him, he sometimes barked at me.  I didn't take it personally because I know having cancer really sucks.  We have to be creative to help our loved ones.

Linda

My wife packed chicken rice porridge for me. It's like a rice soup though thicker with chicken meatballs and a little soy sauce. It's very easy and manageable with the ileostomy and has a fair number of calories. She also makes pureed vegetable soups which work out well though that's for nutrition moreso than calories. If you want more calories, carbs are the way to go as they are easily digested.

Nazareth said:

oh yes mikenh- i forgot to

oh yes mikenh- i forgot to mention rice is suppsoed to help bulk output too for htose with iliostomies or colostomies (if bulking is needed)- and is easily digestible, easy to make, etc- also for those needign to bulk up their ostomy output easily, try metamucil if you can take it- works pretty well for me- (I have liostomy with very watery output) I take 2 heaping teaspoons 3 tiems a day- keeps it fairly bulked up/formed almost- has made a world of difference in managing the ilio

I do three to four servings of Optifiber per day to bulk as I alternate between watery and pasty. It was a recommendation from the hospital when I was discharged.

Mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and scrabbled eggs and warm bagel.  Those are the only food I'd be able to eat.  Something substantial but warm.  Hope he does better.  Thinking about you both.

Kim

Mikenh said:

I do three to four servings

I do three to four servings of Optifiber per day to bulk as I alternate between watery and pasty. It was a recommendation from the hospital when I was discharged.

I hadn't heard of that one- I buy a generic metamucil from equate which is 1/2 the price of metamucil- meta is about $18 (in hte bulk size) and 8 in the equate version same size- and i think it works better- I'll check out your recommendation to though as the equate isn't always easy to get

Nazareth said:

I hadn't heard of that one- I

I hadn't heard of that one- I buy a generic metamucil from equate which is 1/2 the price of metamucil- meta is about $18 (in hte bulk size) and 8 in the equate version same size- and i think it works better- I'll check out your recommendation to though as the equate isn't always easy to get

Optifiber is Costco's house brand of Benefiber.

Hi Sue, thanks for the welcome back.  I do check in time to time still.  Any time I can offer a suggestion to help someone going through treatment is a happy time for me.  I lost my mom and a great nephew (full term stillborn)  this summer within 5 weeks.  It was a bad time for my family.  This Christmas willl be hard but ilfe goes on.  I hope you are well.

Linda