need suggestions for finger food

stretch7425
stretch7425 Member Posts: 13
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
My wife is losing the ability to use her hands and has alot of trouble using forks and spoons. I've been told that this is all part of the end with cancer. Can any one maksuggestions on types of finger foods, I was told that way she might eat better as she gets upset becuase of the problems with silverware and then does not want to eat. I will be getting the Gerber Graduates Finger Foods to see if they works.
Presently she is in the hospital getting her over a blood invection and getting all the electrolites etc back in ballance then she has chosen Home Hospice so right now i need suggestions for items i can get at a store, once home I could then use recipes.
Thanks to everyone on this site you are all alot of help
Rick

Comments

  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    ACS Cookbook
    The American Cancer Society puts out a cookbook that had a lot of good suggestions ("What to Eat during Cancer Treatments). I'm assuming here that your wife is not having swallowing issues:

    - You can mince just about any cooked meat or vegetable and mix it with dry mashed potatoes (leave out the milk when you mash them, or if you make them from a mix, use about half the water called for) and then add a beaten egg or two, flour to thicken and then make little cakes and fry them (add milk as needed to moisten after you've added the meat or vegetables). You can also buy potato pancake mix and do the same thing.

    - Make wraps - spread cheese spread, meat spread (or pureed cooked meat), PB&J, smashed egg salad, etc. on a tortilla and roll up. Slice in half on a diagonal (prettier). If the roll is too much to handle, slice (not on the diagonal) into 1/2-inch slices and arrange the "pinwheels" on a plate.

    - Make cold-cut rolls - spread cheese spread or cream cheese on a cold-cut slice and roll up.

    - Since it's Hannukah, consider making latkes. You can shred up sweet potatoes and mix them half and half with the white potatoes to add flavor. (If these are not in your heritage, here's an easy recipe: peel 2-3 potatoes and shred them - as you shred, toss them with lemon juice so they don't get too brown; stop when you get to 2 cups; drain well and mix with 2 tablespoons of grated onion, 3 beaten eggs, 2 tablespoons flour, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt - form them into small patties and fry in about 1/2 inch of oil. Serve with applesauce and sour cream for dipping).

    - If you are tired of all this cooking, consider getting dumplings from your local Asian take-out place, or falafel from your local middle-eastern take out place, or chicken nuggets from Frank Perdue (supermarket).

    - Consider finding dried fruits, if they are not too chewy for her; middle-eastern dried apricots are moister than American ones. Stuff prunes with peanut butter or cheese spread. Fresh apples and caramel dip is good too.

    Presentation helps - try to arrange things attractively on her plate. It will help if you can eat the same things with her.

    Good luck!
  • 1Teresa
    1Teresa Member Posts: 67
    DrMary said:

    ACS Cookbook
    The American Cancer Society puts out a cookbook that had a lot of good suggestions ("What to Eat during Cancer Treatments). I'm assuming here that your wife is not having swallowing issues:

    - You can mince just about any cooked meat or vegetable and mix it with dry mashed potatoes (leave out the milk when you mash them, or if you make them from a mix, use about half the water called for) and then add a beaten egg or two, flour to thicken and then make little cakes and fry them (add milk as needed to moisten after you've added the meat or vegetables). You can also buy potato pancake mix and do the same thing.

    - Make wraps - spread cheese spread, meat spread (or pureed cooked meat), PB&J, smashed egg salad, etc. on a tortilla and roll up. Slice in half on a diagonal (prettier). If the roll is too much to handle, slice (not on the diagonal) into 1/2-inch slices and arrange the "pinwheels" on a plate.

    - Make cold-cut rolls - spread cheese spread or cream cheese on a cold-cut slice and roll up.

    - Since it's Hannukah, consider making latkes. You can shred up sweet potatoes and mix them half and half with the white potatoes to add flavor. (If these are not in your heritage, here's an easy recipe: peel 2-3 potatoes and shred them - as you shred, toss them with lemon juice so they don't get too brown; stop when you get to 2 cups; drain well and mix with 2 tablespoons of grated onion, 3 beaten eggs, 2 tablespoons flour, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt - form them into small patties and fry in about 1/2 inch of oil. Serve with applesauce and sour cream for dipping).

    - If you are tired of all this cooking, consider getting dumplings from your local Asian take-out place, or falafel from your local middle-eastern take out place, or chicken nuggets from Frank Perdue (supermarket).

    - Consider finding dried fruits, if they are not too chewy for her; middle-eastern dried apricots are moister than American ones. Stuff prunes with peanut butter or cheese spread. Fresh apples and caramel dip is good too.

    Presentation helps - try to arrange things attractively on her plate. It will help if you can eat the same things with her.

    Good luck!

    FUDGE
    I make my mom fudge, but the recipe is a little different then most. This is a good way of getting in protein for the chocolate lovers.

    1 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)
    1 cup carob choc chips
    3/4 cup maple syrup

    put all ingredients in a microwave rectangle pan. Heat on high in microwave about 30 seconds and stir. Heat another 30 seconds and stir. Keep doing this until it is well blended (usually takes me about 1 min. total) Let set up in refer....... YUM!!