are there any "juicers" out there?

karenbeth
karenbeth Member Posts: 194
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
We just bought a juicer and my boyfriend thinks it will be useful when he starts chemo. Obviously we could use ginger to help combat nausea, but just wondering if anyone out there juices, and has any good "recipes"?

Comments

  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #2
    Chemo and food
    While reactions to chemo vary from one person to the next, one of the things I've heard repeatedly is that some things just don't taste right while the chemo is in your system. I haven't had chemo, but once coming back from surgery smells and tastes went off for me and it was quite an experience(a most unpleasant one!). My mom is a terrific cook and wanted to feed me back to wellness. Usually that would be heaven. With the drugs I had been given, it was a recipe for nightmares! Fortunately she was a retired nurse and quickly adjusted what she was doing so I would be more comfortable. She ditched the meat she was going to bake all afternoon and had my dad go out for a pre-roasted chicken so I wouldn't have to deal with all the cooking smells. The usual smells made me super queasy. I was well enough to know it was me and not what she was cooking that was the problem, but it didn't help to tell myself that! She made mashed potatoes--bland food goes down the best when you just can't stomach food smells. The frozen peas boiled on the stove were okay and jello for dessert was fine too, though I still didn't feel like eating the usual amount. Frozen Tang was okay later. Rice, cream of wheat, and mashed potatoes were great. Sweet stuff was okay, but I wasn't into anything fancy and forget stuff like cake or cookies(my usual favorites). Forget my mom's pies too. They were just too heavy for how I felt.

    I hear about the same things work when folks are dealing with chemo. Custards, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese work for most people. French toast with white bread soaked in a rich egg and cream mixture and topped with maple syrup might go down well. Meat may have a metallic taste and not work so well. Cooking smells may be off putting. Cold things often go down better than warm things. Milk shakes with protein powder may work better than a steak dinner.

    While I don't juice, I've tried some things other patients have made me. Carrot juice is very sweet. Berries and yogurt might work. Sometimes I make smoothies with frozen banana and berries with a little yogurt and honey. You might look for a cookbook for cancer patients for more ideas.

    By the way,check with your doctor to make sure he's okay with your recipes. Believe it or not they usually don't want you to megadose chemo patients with vitamins including good old vitamin A. Apparently what boosts our immune system can also protect the cancer! Food is okay. Too many vitamins is what is not so okay. After the chemo is over is when extra vitamins come in useful. During chemo, keeping up the calorie count is what is crucial.
  • karenbeth
    karenbeth Member Posts: 194
    #3
    cabbott said:

    Chemo and food
    While reactions to chemo vary from one person to the next, one of the things I've heard repeatedly is that some things just don't taste right while the chemo is in your system. I haven't had chemo, but once coming back from surgery smells and tastes went off for me and it was quite an experience(a most unpleasant one!). My mom is a terrific cook and wanted to feed me back to wellness. Usually that would be heaven. With the drugs I had been given, it was a recipe for nightmares! Fortunately she was a retired nurse and quickly adjusted what she was doing so I would be more comfortable. She ditched the meat she was going to bake all afternoon and had my dad go out for a pre-roasted chicken so I wouldn't have to deal with all the cooking smells. The usual smells made me super queasy. I was well enough to know it was me and not what she was cooking that was the problem, but it didn't help to tell myself that! She made mashed potatoes--bland food goes down the best when you just can't stomach food smells. The frozen peas boiled on the stove were okay and jello for dessert was fine too, though I still didn't feel like eating the usual amount. Frozen Tang was okay later. Rice, cream of wheat, and mashed potatoes were great. Sweet stuff was okay, but I wasn't into anything fancy and forget stuff like cake or cookies(my usual favorites). Forget my mom's pies too. They were just too heavy for how I felt.

    I hear about the same things work when folks are dealing with chemo. Custards, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese work for most people. French toast with white bread soaked in a rich egg and cream mixture and topped with maple syrup might go down well. Meat may have a metallic taste and not work so well. Cooking smells may be off putting. Cold things often go down better than warm things. Milk shakes with protein powder may work better than a steak dinner.

    While I don't juice, I've tried some things other patients have made me. Carrot juice is very sweet. Berries and yogurt might work. Sometimes I make smoothies with frozen banana and berries with a little yogurt and honey. You might look for a cookbook for cancer patients for more ideas.

    By the way,check with your doctor to make sure he's okay with your recipes. Believe it or not they usually don't want you to megadose chemo patients with vitamins including good old vitamin A. Apparently what boosts our immune system can also protect the cancer! Food is okay. Too many vitamins is what is not so okay. After the chemo is over is when extra vitamins come in useful. During chemo, keeping up the calorie count is what is crucial.

    thank you
    Thanks, Cabbott, for all the advice. I guess he'll find out soon what he can and cannot tolerate. I am sure if it was me, bland would be best. Smoothies will probably work, too. And we will check with the oncologist first, about what vitamins to take and not take.

    Karen
  • I.love.my.mom
    I.love.my.mom Member Posts: 2
    #4
    karenbeth said:

    thank you
    Thanks, Cabbott, for all the advice. I guess he'll find out soon what he can and cannot tolerate. I am sure if it was me, bland would be best. Smoothies will probably work, too. And we will check with the oncologist first, about what vitamins to take and not take.

    Karen

    Juice
    I'm an avid juicer and there is nothing better! You don't need "recipes" just throw it all in...if ever you are unsure if something will taste good or not, throw in a pear and it'll be great! I don't use suppliments or anything else...just great organic fruits and veggies. My fav combos are spinich, pear, carrot, watermelon! I have a juicer with a "carafe" so I can make several glasses at a time. If ever I am weary about what it will taste like, I just throw in a pear! (hint...stay away from radishes...unless you like the "stinky feet" taste)... juicing is a fantastic way for you body to get the good stuff without having to do all of work. I can get into the details of how beneficial juicing is, but I suspect you've done your research...I promise you'll become addicted!
  • WisconsinGirl
    WisconsinGirl Member Posts: 5
    #5
    Stay Away From All Sugar!
    I am a 9 year survivor of cancer twice, I juice everyday, when I go for a week with out juicing I feel bad. Most cancer patients are not aware that sugar in any form, and that includes juicing will feed your cancer. Even vegetables like carrots and beets. The greener the better, also powdered green drinks like wheat grass and barely grass are really good.
    Susan Sommers book "Knockout!" is really good to read. She interviews the top cancer Doctors in the world who are really effective and why. Hope this helps.
  • stayingcalm
    stayingcalm Member Posts: 650 Member
    #6
    WisconsinGirl said:

    Stay Away From All Sugar!
    I am a 9 year survivor of cancer twice, I juice everyday, when I go for a week with out juicing I feel bad. Most cancer patients are not aware that sugar in any form, and that includes juicing will feed your cancer. Even vegetables like carrots and beets. The greener the better, also powdered green drinks like wheat grass and barely grass are really good.
    Susan Sommers book "Knockout!" is really good to read. She interviews the top cancer Doctors in the world who are really effective and why. Hope this helps.

    From Caring4Cancer
    "The facts about sugar and cancer can be confusing. They often are presented in a way that is misleading and anxiety-producing for people with cancer. However, if you learn a bit about the science behind the connections between what we eat and cancer risk, you can make wise nutrition choices for better health.

    The concept that sugar feeds cancer is not useful. Sugar feeds every cell in our bodies. Our bodies need glucose, or simple sugar, for energy. Even if you cut every bit of sugar out of your diet, your body will make sugar from other sources, such as protein and fat.

    So cancer cells need sugar to grow, just like healthy cells. It helps to remember that there is nothing particular about sugar that “feeds” cancer cells any more than sugar feeds all cells in our body."

    Sugar does not feed cancer, Suzanne Somers is an "actress" and not a scientist or even remotely scientific in her approach to nutrition.

    Too much sugar is of course not good for anyone, and good nutrition is important, whether you have cancer or not, but the notion that you should cut out all sugars is just plain...silly!

    Personally, I eat whatever the heck I want to eat ;-)
  • Dan620
    Dan620 Member Posts: 220
    #7
    stayingcalm said:

    From Caring4Cancer
    "The facts about sugar and cancer can be confusing. They often are presented in a way that is misleading and anxiety-producing for people with cancer. However, if you learn a bit about the science behind the connections between what we eat and cancer risk, you can make wise nutrition choices for better health.

    The concept that sugar feeds cancer is not useful. Sugar feeds every cell in our bodies. Our bodies need glucose, or simple sugar, for energy. Even if you cut every bit of sugar out of your diet, your body will make sugar from other sources, such as protein and fat.

    So cancer cells need sugar to grow, just like healthy cells. It helps to remember that there is nothing particular about sugar that “feeds” cancer cells any more than sugar feeds all cells in our body."

    Sugar does not feed cancer, Suzanne Somers is an "actress" and not a scientist or even remotely scientific in her approach to nutrition.

    Too much sugar is of course not good for anyone, and good nutrition is important, whether you have cancer or not, but the notion that you should cut out all sugars is just plain...silly!

    Personally, I eat whatever the heck I want to eat ;-)

    Sugar
    I have to agree with stayingcalm. After radation treatment burnt esophahus i have been living on Hawaiian Punch as my main drink 2 years 2 months. When friends and family say how well i look i tell them it must be the punch. So who knows what really works to control this BEAST! Love my sugar. .... Best of health to all in this fight....... Dan
  • karenbeth
    karenbeth Member Posts: 194
    #8
    Dan620 said:

    Sugar
    I have to agree with stayingcalm. After radation treatment burnt esophahus i have been living on Hawaiian Punch as my main drink 2 years 2 months. When friends and family say how well i look i tell them it must be the punch. So who knows what really works to control this BEAST! Love my sugar. .... Best of health to all in this fight....... Dan

    nutrition
    Appreciate all the advice. I read a little of the book Anti Cancer, and thought the nutrition advice made sense, but overall we are not radical in our approach to nutrition--we always try to eat healthily, and are vegetarians,(we have started eating a little fish recently for protein), and eat mostly whole grains, but we love our baked goods and gelato as well, not to mention the morning coffee :) We are trying to decrease our unhealthy habits and increase the good ones right now, but overall, I think he has to go with what his body is telling him or allowing him to eat. BTW the chemo got postponed a week, unfortunately, due to an unrelated medical problem, and he finally starts tomorrow! Best to everyone...

    Karen
  • medi_2
    medi_2 Member Posts: 505 Member
    #9
    stayingcalm said:

    From Caring4Cancer
    "The facts about sugar and cancer can be confusing. They often are presented in a way that is misleading and anxiety-producing for people with cancer. However, if you learn a bit about the science behind the connections between what we eat and cancer risk, you can make wise nutrition choices for better health.

    The concept that sugar feeds cancer is not useful. Sugar feeds every cell in our bodies. Our bodies need glucose, or simple sugar, for energy. Even if you cut every bit of sugar out of your diet, your body will make sugar from other sources, such as protein and fat.

    So cancer cells need sugar to grow, just like healthy cells. It helps to remember that there is nothing particular about sugar that “feeds” cancer cells any more than sugar feeds all cells in our body."

    Sugar does not feed cancer, Suzanne Somers is an "actress" and not a scientist or even remotely scientific in her approach to nutrition.

    Too much sugar is of course not good for anyone, and good nutrition is important, whether you have cancer or not, but the notion that you should cut out all sugars is just plain...silly!

    Personally, I eat whatever the heck I want to eat ;-)

    don't get between me and my klondike bars!
    I eat whatever I want also, Staying Calm...I probably wouldnot have gotten through treatment without my klondike bars! I just have a few simple rules:
    Eat what is in Season, and try to only eat most veggies and fruits that are grown in your region. There are exceptions: bananas for one..pineapples etc.(I have to have a banana a day no matter where is is grown) Also eating in season is much cheaper. Anyway, it is better for your body. Everything in moderation...
    Happy Tuesday!
    Medi
  • stayingcalm
    stayingcalm Member Posts: 650 Member
    #10
    medi_2 said:

    don't get between me and my klondike bars!
    I eat whatever I want also, Staying Calm...I probably wouldnot have gotten through treatment without my klondike bars! I just have a few simple rules:
    Eat what is in Season, and try to only eat most veggies and fruits that are grown in your region. There are exceptions: bananas for one..pineapples etc.(I have to have a banana a day no matter where is is grown) Also eating in season is much cheaper. Anyway, it is better for your body. Everything in moderation...
    Happy Tuesday!
    Medi

    Ohhh, Klondike bars!
    Now I have a craving, thanks medi =)
    Deb
  • NayPaul
    NayPaul Member Posts: 230 Member
    #11
    stayingcalm said:

    From Caring4Cancer
    "The facts about sugar and cancer can be confusing. They often are presented in a way that is misleading and anxiety-producing for people with cancer. However, if you learn a bit about the science behind the connections between what we eat and cancer risk, you can make wise nutrition choices for better health.

    The concept that sugar feeds cancer is not useful. Sugar feeds every cell in our bodies. Our bodies need glucose, or simple sugar, for energy. Even if you cut every bit of sugar out of your diet, your body will make sugar from other sources, such as protein and fat.

    So cancer cells need sugar to grow, just like healthy cells. It helps to remember that there is nothing particular about sugar that “feeds” cancer cells any more than sugar feeds all cells in our body."

    Sugar does not feed cancer, Suzanne Somers is an "actress" and not a scientist or even remotely scientific in her approach to nutrition.

    Too much sugar is of course not good for anyone, and good nutrition is important, whether you have cancer or not, but the notion that you should cut out all sugars is just plain...silly!

    Personally, I eat whatever the heck I want to eat ;-)

    Amen bout Sugar
    I have a lot of pet peeves.... and the whole sugar feeding cancer is probably one of the larger ones. To every helpful person that told my mom this (before her death this summer) and is now telling my wife this... it just ain't true.

    USUALLY... after I initially say, "Not so." They usually point to PET scans and how the glucose uptake as their evidence. Of course, I agree that cancer is highly metabolic, more so than other cells as STAYINGCALM mentions.

    So I try to push it a little further and that is, WHY DONT THEY DO PET SCANS ON THE HEAD? Most people dont know. That is, the brain is SUPER metabolic and will light up brighter than the sun because it absorbs/uses so much glucose. SO by the same logic, could one infer that eating several Snicker Bars daily would make our brains grow and work at super speeds? Of course that is just not the case.

    And, do we really think Dr's are hiding that information? C'mon!

    Sorry, again, that is just one of my pet peeves.

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