snack ideas for family facing cancer

[ecau]

Some people who live a few blocks from us are facing a double dose of cancer, both mother and father are going through chemo. I don't know them well. They have two young girls. I was told by a friend who is closer to the situation that there is a dinner rotation already going, and that maybe healthy snacks would be a good thing to bring by. We don't snack much, and usually eat fruits and veggies, with the occasional unhealthy cake or cookie tossed in. I would like to make something that could be put in the freezer, or that would keep fairly well, since I have no idea what their schedule is like. All I can come up with is some sort of muffin. Any other ideas? Or any favorite muffin recipes? I plan to make some chicken soup in mason jars as well.

[Dennis91]

The first thing that came to mind were some sort of granola bars or oatmeal bars. I remember seeing a few recipes on the Martha Stewart show. Perhaps a search on the site will bring you some ideas. I also thought of breads that they can slice and eat or freeze...like a banana bread or something. A trail mix is also a healthy snack that tends to keep well. Hope these suggestions help.

[Cookin4Love]

What about dips, such as hummus, bean dip, etc.?

[Hammster]

When our next door neighbor was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer that had spread to his brain, he was told to eat anything and everything and as much as he wanted so he could put on plenty of weight before he started his chemo sessions. Once he started chemo, he would get sick and ended up losing weight, as expected. So, as counter-intuitive as it seems, bring them high calorie dishes so they can keep their weight up. (Unless that strategy is no longer valid. It's been several years since he was diagnosed. He didn't make it, btw.)
Although, it could be tricky to know what to bring them as when they are in the throes of nausea from the chemo, nothing will sound good and there may only be a few items they can eat and keep down.

[blazedog]

I agree with Hammster in terms of almost every food being unpalatable during chemotherapy. There is a lot of emphasis on energy dense foods in terms of high calorie.

I would concentrate on food for the kids as I imagine it would be overwhelming to have to cook food for someone else in the throes of nausea. How old are they -- depending on age, perhaps "healthy snacks" means food that the kids could prepare on their own.

But I would ask your friend for more information so that you aren't just doing something for the sake of doing it so to speak.

[Hammster]

...throes of nausea...

Like that, eh? ;)



But I would ask your friend for more information so that you aren't just doing something for the sake of doing it so to speak.

Definitely agree with this. I'd think finding out what the kids like and what the kid's cooking abilities are will make what to bring easier.

[ande]

Geez, that stinks. I have 3 little kids myself and cannot imagine combining this adventure with cancer treatment.

So far, all that comes to mind for snacks are trail mix, muesli makings (homemade granola + yogurt + frozen/dried fruit), cut up fruit, granola bars (we really really like that recipe from Eating Well (http://http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/peanut_energy_bars.html)) and peanut butter & honey balls (1 c. PB, 1/2 c. dry milk, 1/2 c. mini chocolate chips or raisins, 1/4 c. honey...my kids scarf them). Muffins or hummus would be good, too.

ande

[ecau]

The kids are 5 and 7. I like the idea of hummus or bean dip. I could leave a bunch of cut up veggies to go with it. I think the granola/trail mix idea is good too. I imagine that this will go on for awhile, so I will have a few chances to drop things by. I guess it is true that a lot of this effort is for me to feel like I am doing something.

[SallyT]

If you want to make snacks for the kids, how about homemade pop tarts from smitten kitchen?

http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/04/homemade-pop-tarts/

Very nice of you to provide food for them...