Satisfying Snacks for Cancer Patients

[David Baxter PhD]

Satisfying Snacks​

The Tracey Birnhak Nutritional Counseling Program
November 13th, 2020
A couple of hours after a meal, and you’re noticing your hunger starting to kick-in again…it’s snack time! Snacks are an excellent way to satisfy hunger between meals, prevent overeating at the next meal, provide your body with a boost of energy, and promote blood sugar control.

Remember to portion and adjust accordingly to what you uniquely need to stay nourished between meals. You may need/want one snack, two snacks, none or all of the snacks. You may just want a slice of banana bread, and that’s ok too! Listen in to your body’s cues. A lunch of snacks is also a fun and easy way to create a quick meal.

Generally you want to include some protein & fiber when building snacks as they tend to promote sustained energy until the next meal, which is especially good on those days when your to-do’s are a bit too long. Be sure to stay hydrated between meals as well.

10 Simple, Satisfying Snacks:

1. Guacamole with tortilla chips & red pepper slices
2. Hummus & carrots, cucumbers
3. Cottage cheese or yogurt with berries, add nuts/granola for extra crunch!
4. Cheddar cheese & whole grain crackers
5. Peanut butter & apple slices
6. Trail mix & air-popped popcorn
7. Grapes & cheese stick
8. Tuna fish & whole wheat crackers
9. ½ of a peanut butter & banana sandwich
10. Cherry tomato & mozzarella bites

Enjoy!


About Audrey Caspar-Clarke
Audrey Caspar-Clark MS, RD, LDN, Doris Piccinin, MS, RD, CDE, CSO, LDN, Carly Roop, RD, CSO, MA, LDN, and Caroline Meehan, RDN, CSOWM, LDN, CDCES are the registered dietitians at the Abramson Cancer Center at Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine who specialize in cancer nutrition and provide information based on sound nutritional therapies to support patients throughout their cancer treatment.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Note: You may well have to vary the snacks depending on the type of cancer.

For example, cancers of the digestive system may make it difficult for you to tolerate vegetables or fruits with a lot of fiber, or nuts.

Experiment with what works for you and what makes you feel better, not worse.

 

[Daniel E.]

How to Maintain Weight During Cancer Treatment

It’s important to include enough carbohydrates, protein and fat in your meals to maintain weight during treatments because too much weight loss can actually slow down/delay treatment. But, side effects of treatment, including loss of appetite, can make it challenging to eat enough food to get...

www.rogelcancercenter.org

Tips to get more protein and calories:​

• Switch from skim milk to whole milk, if you’re struggling with weight loss
• Melt cheese on sandwiches, stir it into scrambled eggs or grate on top of soups, starches or meats
• Add cottage or ricotta cheese to fruits and vegetables, egg dishes or desserts
• Get an extra boost by mixing powdered milk into milkshakes and smoothies
• Spread peanut butter and other nutbased spreads on sandwiches, toast and vegetables or swirl them into shakes, smoothies, yogurt and soft ice cream
• Sprinkle nuts over cereal, salads, vegetables, pancakes or fruit as a crunchy topping
• Add chopped meat to salads, omelets and quiches
• Eat more beans and tofu. Hummus is high in protein and can be spread on breads and vegetables
• Use whole wheat pastas -- and add cream sauces
• Mix legumes, lentils and beans into chicken or beef broth
• Cook vegetables and meats in olive oil
• Turn fruit into smoothies or sauces, such as apple sauce

Also consider drinking nutritional supplements, like Boost or Ensure. Several brands and flavors are available. They can be mixed with fruits, ice cream and syrups to make milkshakes. Generic versions are available and can be less expensive. Boost Very High Calorie, an ultra-high calorie supplement, is available in the U-M Rogel Cancer Center pharmacy.

Tips to make eating easier for head and neck cancer patients, specifically:​

• Dry mouth? drink plenty of fluids. Choose moist, soft foods. Limit spicy or hot foods. Cut food into small pieces and mix with sauces and gravies.
• Sore mouth & throat? Avoid dry, crunchy, citrus, spicy or salty foods. Eat luke warm or cool foods. Use sauces and gravies or milk to moisten foods.
• Food tastes different? Use plastic utensils for metallic tastes. Rinse your mouth with alcohol free mouthwash or a baking soda and salt water mix before each meal. If foods taste salty add sugar. If foods taste sweet add salt.
• Difficulty chewing? Choose soft foods. Cut foods into small pieces or puree foods with gravies or sauces. Drink protein rich smoothies and shakes.

 

[Daniel E.]

Cancer cachexia in the age of obesity: skeletal muscle depletion is a powerful prognostic factor, independent of body mass index - PubMed

CT images reveal otherwise occult muscle depletion. Patients with cancer who are cachexic by the conventional criterion (involuntary weight loss) and by two additional criteria (muscle depletion and low muscle attenuation) share a poor prognosis, regardless of overall body weight.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patients with cancer who are cachexic by the conventional criterion (involuntary weight loss) and by two additional criteria (muscle depletion and low muscle attenuation) share a poor prognosis, regardless of overall body weight.

Combating Cancer Malnutrition - Today's Dietitian Magazine

Today's Dietitian magazine, the leading news source for dietitians and nutritionists, covering topics such as diabetes management, long-term care, new products and technologies, career strategies, nutrition research updates, supplements, culinary arts, food allergies, fitness, sports medicine...

www.todaysdietitian.com

Malnutrition is such an important contributor to poor prognosis that data support the inclusion of nutrition screening as a formal component of survival prognostication for several tumor types.

 

[Daniel E.]

Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad

This delicious creamy broccoli apple salad is perfect for someone with a smaller appetite, or as a light snack.

www.aicr.org

 

[Daniel E.]

Drinks:

Pineapple Juice Recipe with Apple & Ginger | The Anti-Cancer Kitchen

This pineapple juice recipe with apple and ginger is refreshing and zingy. The health benefits of pineapple juice are extraordinary.

www.theanticancerkitchen.com

Mango Raspberry Smoothie | The Anti-Cancer KItchen

Made with 3 healthy plant-based ingredients, this mango and raspberry smoothie with coconut water is quick and simple, naturally sweet, and nutrient-rich.

www.theanticancerkitchen.com

Watermelon juice recipe with mint and lime | The Anti-Cancer Kitchen

An easy watermelon juice recipe with mint and lime that is refreshing and hydrating. This watermelon juice is full of heart-healthy vitamins and minerals.

www.theanticancerkitchen.com

 

[Daniel E.]

Watermelon and Strawberry Smoothie Recipe by Gopal Jha

Watermelon and Strawberry Smoothie Recipe - About Watermelon and Strawberry Smoothie Recipe: There is nothing as fresh as this smoothie of watermelon and strawberry! Topped with healthy chia seeds and these fresh fruits blended well with low fat yogurt, this smoothie recipe is the powerhouse of...

food.ndtv.com

Grape Smoothie

This grape smoothie recipe is tangy sweet with just 4 ingredients! It's an easy breakfast or snack that's a great use for frozen grapes.

www.acouplecooks.com

 

[Daniel E.]

 

[Daniel E.]

Recipes for People with Cancer

Search for recipes according to diet type or symptom.

www.mskcc.org

Roasted Ginger Sweet Potato Slices

This dish is perfect for people suffering from nausea. Ginger has been shown to help with — and even prevent — nausea and vomiting.

www.mskcc.org

Spiced Chickpeas

The next time you’re craving potato chips reach for this addictive snack instead.

www.mskcc.org

Apple Pie Smoothie

Great for people following the bland diet, this smoothie gets its comforting flavor from ground cinnamon and vanilla extract.

www.mskcc.org

Mango Lassi

This mango lassi works great for people who are experiencing nausea or looking for a low-calorie treat.

www.mskcc.org

Tortilla Española

This take on a Spanish classic can help you manage digestion problems without having to sacrifice the foods you love.

www.mskcc.org

 

[Daniel E.]

Eat the Rainbow Week 7: Tasty Snacks - Cancer Dietitian

Welcome to Week 7 of the Eat the Rainbow Fruit and Veggie Challenge! REPORT LAST WEEK’S FRUIT & VEGGIE INTAKE HERE! Program Updates! It’s time for you to take the growth level quiz again! Find it here. We will use this to compare to your growth levels at the beginning of the challenge and at […]

cancerdietitian.com

More "Good Enough" Meals and Grocery List - Cancer Dietitian

Apparently my last article The 'Good Enough' Strategy for Eating Healthy, struck a nerve for people. I had multiple responses of people who liked it. I'm happy to be the one to bring good news about taking the pressure off of dinner time! As promised, here are some other "Good Enough" meal ideas...

cancerdietitian.com

Instant Pot: What's the Big Deal? - Cancer Dietitian

I have heard about the Instant Pot from a few people. It seems like it’s there’s a cult of people who love their Instant Pots. I mean, I love a crock pot but when I found out that you could cook frozen food into a meal in an hour, I became curious! And then my […]

cancerdietitian.com