10 Ways To Enjoy Holiday Eating During Cancer Treatment

American Cancer Society Offers Eating Tips

(RxWiki News) Here are some great ideas for feeling your best during the holidays. It’s a happy holiday eating guide produced by the American Cancer Society. The key message is to take care of yourself and your stomach first.

Michele Szafranski, MS, RD, CSO, LDN is the cancer dietician for the ACS. She put together these tips for enjoying any holiday food gathering. Here are her suggestions for happy holiday eating!

  1. If the holiday food smells are a little too much, then find a ginger ale or tea and move as far away from the kitchen as you can. Mint gum or a hot beverage may also cover up the food smells for you.
  2. Ask your doctor if it’s okay for you to imbibe and, if it is, then what sorts of alcoholic beverages are best.
  3. Eat before you go, and take a something you know you enjoy in case none of the party foods appeal to you.
  4. Select food from the middle of a buffet – which hasn’t been within reach of little hands and noses.
  5. Start small and see how it goes. If you feel like more, go back. You want to avoid that “overfull” feeling.
  6. If you’re attending a potluck, experiment and see what new foods and flavors you enjoy.
  7. Simple and simply prepared foods are your best bet. Szafranski says, “Turkey breast, cranberry sauce, green beans, roasted potatoes, and corn bread or yeast rolls can be simple enough items that shouldn't upset a delicate stomach.”
  8. Avoid the fancy, creamy, buttery, mayonnaise-laden foods. Baked, steamed and broiled foods are gentler on the stomach.
  9. During treatment, you may have a weakened immune system which means you can get sick more easily. So you need to be aware of food safety issues. Szafranski suggest that you “steer clear of undercooked foods like homemade eggnog, sushi, or even mayonnaise or desserts made with raw eggs (if in doubt don't be afraid to ask the chef).”
  10. Plan for your own happy holiday eating, so you can enjoy the holidays with the ones you love.

Happy Holidays to you, your friends and your family.

Review Date: 
December 24, 2012