Friday, September 01, 2006
Everyone going through this needs a dietician
I got the official ok to use baby food, and encouragement to increase both protein and fruits in my diet, thanks to a visit with the dietician today. I was able to run my diet by her- both nutrients and calories consumed - and she figures I could still use some additional protein, and probably more fruit. She suggested making things into smoothies, which I did as soon as I got home. Thanks to dad and Barb, I have one of those nifty stick blenders, and it made small work on adding the baby food to the whey supplement. (Remember guys, I have no taste!) I figure I will do this with cottage cheese, no-sugar added ice cream, and some no-sugar-added fruit later for a snack. Drinking the stuff works so much better than using a spoon - even plastic spoons were getting tough to use (dragging on the tongue), so a straw is my friend. The dietician was emphatic about not losing weight during this treatment, and I think she knows now that I have kept that in mind the entire time. The only thing that will sideline my nutrition at this time is if my throat gets to hurting too much to get food down. Then it will be time for a PEG tube. Those things are life-savers!
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3 comments:
I am going through radiation as well. I have lung cancer and the lymph nodes to both lungs are getting zapped. I too was told to eat as much protein as I can. One recipe I use is an old one and it is
1 cup milk
1 banana
1 raw egg
dash of vanilla extract
blend and drink
Sounds like you are doing a GREAT job of being creative and innovative in getting the nutritional elements that you need. Glad your nutrionist was able to help you identify more options. I just know you are going to survive this in great style. Isn't it nice to have people telling you NOT to worry about losing weight through all of this! Keep up the good work and the good spirit! I'm thinking of you.
Love,
Nancy
Thanks Nancy,for your compliment!! But they are telling me to stay the same weight - if weight starts falling off, the body can't heal properly. I figure I will be enjoying my birthday cake in March guilt-free, though! (grin!)
And thanks to Anonymous for the recipe. I don't feel comfortable using raw eggs in anything, since while going through radiation I worry about my immune system handling anything that might be living in the raw egg. The dietician said they recommend one gram of protein per kilo of body weight. The whey supplement powder that I use has 24g of protein per half cup of powder, added to a cup and a half of skim milk (I think that is another 17 grams of protein), plus a jar of junior baby food (3g) and a half cup of cottage cheese (15 g). I have that 4 or 5 times a day. An egg only has 6 grams of protein, so I don't mess with them too much. I sure wish you the very best in your cancer treatment and care, and hope you have accessed everyone on your care team for their information! They are true lifesavers.
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