Recipes

You may develop some nutrition problems because of side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Here are several recipes that provide nourishment and taste good too.

Please discuss your individual dietary needs with your healthcare provider.

For Loss of Appetite or Nausea

Banana Milkshake
Refreshing almost any time

1 whole, ripe banana
Few drops vanilla extract
1 cup milk (can be low fat)

Place all the ingredients in a blender. Blend at high speed until smooth.

For a Sore Mouth

Fruit and Cream
Easy on your mouth—and nutritious

1 cup whole milk
1 cup vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
1 cup canned fruit (peaches, pears, apricots), including juice (heavy syrup)
Almond or vanilla extract to taste

Blend all ingredients and chill well before serving.

For Weight Loss

Peanut Butter Snack Spread
A delicious treat to add calories and protein

1 tablespoon nonfat instant dry milk
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon water
5 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine dry milk, water, and vanilla. Stir to moisten the mixture. Add honey and peanut butter. Stir slowly until the liquid blends with the peanut butter.

Spread on crackers. Or, form into balls, chill, and eat as candy. (This spread keeps well in the refrigerator but is difficult to spread when cold.)

Additional Resources

The Non-Chew Cookbook, 4th Edition
Randy Wilson
Wilson Publishing
Contains appealing recipes for patients who are unable to chew after surgery or who have side effects of chemotherapy or radiation.

Eating Hints for Cancer Patients (#P118, 2002)
To order, call the National Cancer Institute, 1-800-4 Cancer (1-800-422-6237).
Provides diet suggestions and recipes for chemotherapy patients.