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General Eating Problems Tell your doctor if you are having problems with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or pain. Medications can help. Check with your doctor about the use of laxatives or stool softeners if constipation is a problem. Try adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of wheat bran to your food or drinking warm prune juice 3 or 4 times a day. Constipation can often contribute to decreased appetite. Eat small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day. Try eating foods that need less chewing, such as cottage cheese, eggs, fish, and soft meats. Try chopped or ground meats mixed with a sauce in a casserole if meats are too difficult to eat or don't taste good. Include fruits and juices with your meals. These are usually easy to eat and may perk up your taste for other foods. Allow friends and family to prepare meals for you. Don't hesitate to accept their offers. Be sure to tell them if there are certain foods you can't eat very well or don't like. Take advantage of the times you feel well. Breakfast is the best meal for many people. Sometimes an appetite stimulant can be helpful. Talk to your doctor about whether one could help you. Try a commercially prepared liquid nutritional supplement or a milkshake if you don't feel like eating.

RECIPES: General Eating Problems Lemon Sherbet 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/3 cup lemon juice Grated rind of 1 lemon 2 cups whole milk Mix the sugar, juice, and rind in an electric mixer or blender at high speed for about 2 minutes. Slowly add the milk. Pour into a freezer tray and freeze. Cut into bite-size pieces to serve. Makes 6 servings. Each serving is 230 calories, 3 grams protein. Cheesy Baked Potato Medium baking potato 2 tablespoons grated cheese Bake potato in 350° F oven for about 60 minutes or until soft. Sprinkle with grated cheese and, if desired, top with margarine, butter, sour cream, yogurt, or cottage cheese. Makes 1 serving. High-Protein Milkshake 1-2 scoops ice cream 3 tablespoons powdered milk 1/4 cup whole milk Flavoring as desired Mix in blender. Makes 1 serving. Each serving is 375-450 calories, 12-15 grams protein, depending on brand and amount of ice cream. Sherbet Shake 1-2 scoops sherbet 1/4 cup egg substitute 1/4 cup juice. Mix in blender. Makes 1 serving. Each serving is 150-300 calories, 10-12 grams protein, depending on amount of sherbet and type of juice.

TOP Poor Appetite Eat 5 or 6 small meals each day, instead of 3 larger meals. Make eating more enjoyable by setting the table with pretty dishes and flowers. Play your favorite music or watch television while eating. Keep snacks handy to eat when you are hungry. Try hard-cooked eggs, luncheon meats, peanut butter, cheese, ice cream, granola bars, nutrition al drinks and puddings, chips, crackers, and pretzels. Review the list of high-calorie and high-protein foods and include these in meals and snacks throughout the day. Check with your doctor about medications to help relieve constipation, nausea, or pain. Talk to your doctor about medication to increase your appetite.

RECIPES: Poor Appetite Quick Deviled Egg Salad 2 hard-cooked eggs 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish Dash onion powder or salt Dash lemon juice Dash pepper 1 teaspoon spicy mustard 2 tablespoons salad dressing or mayonnaise Chop the eggs with a fork or hand chopper. Add remaining ingredients. Mix together and serve on toast or crackers or with taco chips or bread sticks. Makes 1 serving. Each serving is 290 calories, 13 grams protein. Baked Eggs 11/2 teaspoons butter 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 eggs 1 tablespoon half-and-half Salt and pepper to taste Chopped fresh chives or salsa (optional) Preheat oven to 350° F. Coat a shallow gratin dish or ovenproof cup with the butter. Mound the cheese in the dish and make a well in the center. Break two eggs into the well. Pour the half-and-half over the eggs and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put the dish or cup into a pan of hot water. Bake until the cheese has melted and the eggs are done (about 20-25 minutes). Cover loosely with foil the last 5 minutes of cooking. Garnish with chives or salsa, if desired. Makes 1 serving. Each serving is 370 calories, 22 grams protein. Back to TOP »

TOP Taste Problems Season foods with tart flavors such as lemon wedges, lemonade, citrus fruits, vinegar, and pickled foods. (If you have a sore mouth or throat, do not use this tip.) Chew lemon drops, mints, or gum, which can help get rid of bad or off tastes that linger after eating. (If you have diarrhea, hold down your use of sugarless candies and gums.) Flavor foods with onion, garlic, chili powder, basil, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, barbecue sauce, mustard, catsup, or mint. Increase the sugar in foods. This can help increase pleasant tastes and decrease salty, bitter, or acid tastes. Marinate and cook meats in sweet juices, fruits, acidic dressings, or wine. For example, try sweet and sour pork with pineapple, chicken with honey glaze, and London broil in Italian dressing. Blend fresh fruits into milkshakes, ice cream, or yogurt. Rinse your mouth with tea, ginger ale, salted water, or water with baking soda before eating to help clear your taste buds. Serve foods cold. Hot foods produce stronger smells and flavors. Eat frozen fruits such as cantaloupe, grapes, oranges, and watermelon. Select fresh vegetables. They may be more appealing than canned or frozen ones. Cover liquid nutrition supplements and drink from a straw or use a child's covered drinking cup if odor is a problem.

RECIPES: When Things Aren't Tasting Right Hawaiian Float 2 tablespoons orange-pineapple juice concentrate, undiluted 1/4 package vanilla Instant Breakfast (about 1 tablespoon) 1/4 cup ice water 1/2 cup evaporated whole milk 1/4 cup lime sherbet Place all ingredients in blender and blend well. Makes 1 serving. Each serving is 315 calories, 12 grams protein. (To increase calories and protein, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of powdered milk, replace the evaporated milk with a more high-calorie milk product, such as cream or half-and-half, or replace the ice water with milk.) Garden Spaghetti Salad 1 lb vermicelli spaghetti 2 whole tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped 2 green peppers, chopped 8 scallions, chopped 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped 1/2 of 2.62-oz jar salad seasoning or season with salt and pepper to taste, pinch of oregano, and/or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil 16 oz Italian salad dressing Cook the spaghetti as directed and rain. Add the other ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate overnight. Makes 8 servings. Each serving is 300 calories, 6 grams protein.

 

TOP Difficulty Swallowing Follow instructions for any special eating techniques given to you by the speech therapist. Drink 6 to 8 cups of fluid each day and thicken the fluid to the right consistency. Report immediately to your doctor any coughing or choking while eating, especially if you also have a fever. Eat small, frequent meals. Use liquid nutritional supplements if you are unable to eat enough foods. Select from the following thickening products: - Gelatin: can be used to form a soft gel with cakes, cookies, crackers, sandwiches, pureed fruits, and other cold foods. Mix 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin until dissolved in 2 cups liquid and pour over food. - Commercial Thickeners: A liquid's thickness can be adjusted depending upon the amount used. Follow the instructions on the label. - Pureed Vegetables: Useful for soups but can alter the flavor. - Instant Potatoes: Useful for soups but can alter the flavor. - Baby Rice Cereal: Useful when a very thick product is needed. - Tapioca, flour, cornstarch: Use to thicken liquids to different consistencies, but needs to be cooked.

 

RECIPES: Difficulty Swallowing Blender Cream Soups 2 cups milk 2 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons margarine 1 teaspoon salt Dash pepper (as tolerated) Mix all the ingredients in a blender. This is the base for all the soups. Blend with asparagus or broccoli, or other vegetables, such as mashed potatoes, peas, or carrots. Heat until thickened and serve. VARIATIONS: Asparagus: 1 cup cooked asparagus, 3/4 teaspoon sugar, plus the soup base. Blend in a blender and then heat until thickened and serve. Broccoli: 1 cup cooked broccoli, 1 tablespoon diced and cooked onion, plus the base. Makes 4 serving. Each serving of the base only is 130 calories, 5 grams protein (calculated with reduced fat milk). To increase calories, use whole milk or half-and-half. Boiled Custard 2 cups milk 2 eggs 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon vanilla Pinch of salt In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium-low heat until it just begins to bubble at the edges. Do not boil. Beat the eggs, sugar, and cornstarch together in a separate bowl. Add a little of the scalded milk to the egg, sugar, and cornstarch mixture, stirring well. Add this mixture to the scalded milk, stirring constantly. Cook over low heat until the mixture coats a spoon. Remove from heat. When cool, add the salt and vanilla. This is delicious by itself or over fruit or cake. Makes 4 servings. Each serving is 150 calories, 7 grams protein )calculated with reduced-fat milk).

 

TOP Dry Mouth or Thick Saliva Drink 8 to 12 cups of liquid a day, and take a water bottle with you when you leave home. (Drinking lots of fluids helps to loosen mucus.) Use a straw to drink liquids. Eat soft, bland-tasting foods that are at room temperature or cold. Try blenderized fruits and vegetables, soft-cooked chicken and fish, well-thinned cereals, popsicles, and slushies. Add broth, soup, sauces, gravy, butter, or margarine to moisten foods. Suck on sour lemon drops, frozen grapes, popsicles, or ice chips. (Avoid chewing ice as it can damage teeth.) Keep your mouth clean. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush; rinse your mouth before and after meals with plain water or a mild mouth rinse (made with 1 quart water, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon baking soda); and floss regularly. Avoid commercial mouthwashes, alcoholic and acidic beverages, and tobacco. Limit your consumption of caffeine-containing products such as coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate. Use a cool mist humidifier to moisten room air, especially at night. (Be sure to keep the humidifier clean to avoid spreading bacteria or mold in the air.)

 

RECIPES: Dry Mouth or Thick Saliva Peach Fizz 1 cup peach nectar (or other non-acidic fruit juice) 1/2 cup club soda Mix in a glass with ice for a refreshing drink. Makes 1 serving. Each serving is 130 calories, less than 1 gram protein. Fruit Shake 2 cups juice (apple, apricot, grape, peach), chilled 1/2 cup whole milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Crushed ice made from about 4 cubes 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream Put all ingredients into a 1-quart plastic container with lid. Shake vigorously and serve. Makes 2 servings. Each serving is 260 calories, 5 grams protein (calculated with apple juice).

 

TOP Sore or Irritated Throat Avoid tart, acidic, or salty beverages and foods, such as: - citrus fruit juices (grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime) - pickled and vinegary foods (relishes and pickles) - tomato-base foods (chili, salsa, spaghetti, pizza) - some broths (canned) Avoid rough-textured foods, such as dry toast, granola, and raw fruits and vegetables. Choose lukewarm or cool foods that are soothing. Very hot or very cold foods can cause distress. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. Avoid strong spices, such as chili powder, cloves, curry, hot sauces, nutmeg, and peppers. Season foods with herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme. Choose soft, creamy foods, such as cream soups, cheeses, mashed potatoes, yogurt, eggs, custards, puddings, cooked cereals, ice cream, casseroles, gravies, syrups, milkshakes, and commercial liquid supplements. Blend and moisten foods that are dry or solid. Use in soups or with sauces, gravies, and casseroles.

 

RECIPES: Sore or Irritated Throat Potato Soup 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 cups chicken broth (reduced sodium) 2 stalks celery 1/2 small onion, peeled 1 tablespoon margarine 1 tablespoon flour 2 cups milk 2 eggs, hard-boiled, chopped Salt and pepper to taste. Cook the potatoes in chicken broth with celery and onion until the potatoes are tender. Blend the mixture in a blender or processor or rice in a ricer. In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt the margarine and stir in flour to make a paste. Slowly add the milk, stirring or whisking continuously until the mixture is thoroughly blended and heated through. Add the pureed potato mixture. Add chopped eggs that have been pushed through a sieve or riced in a ricer. Mix well and season with salt and pepper as desired. Serve hot or cold. (This soup thickens when chilled and mayneed to be thinned with additional chicken broth or milk.) Makes 4 servings. Each serving is 240 calories, 12 grams protein when prepared with reduced-fat milk. Basic Sauce 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or margarine 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup broth, water, or milk Nutmeg, salt, grated lemon rind, or soy sauce (optional) Heat the vegetable oil or margarine in a heavy saucepan. Stir in the flour. Whisk for 1 to 2 minutes over low heat. Remove from heat. Heat and add the broth, water, or milk. Stir briskly until smooth and return to heat. Add seasonings of choice. Bring almost to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer until thickened. This basic sauce can be altered as desired with a variety of seasonings. It is useful for moistening foods, as well as increasing calorie and protein values. Makes 1 cup of sauce.

 

TOP Sores in Mouth Eat soft, bland foods, such as creamed soup, cooked cereal, macaroni and cheese, yogurt, and pudding. Cold foods can sometimes soothe the mouth and throat. Puree or liquify foods in a blender to make them easier to swallow. Serve foods cold or lukewarm, rather than hot, to reduce mouth irritation. Tilt your head back and forth to help foods and liquids flow to the back of the throat for swallowing. Drink through a straw to bypass mouth sores. Avoid irritating spices, seasonings, and condiments such as pepper, chili powder, cloves, nutmeg, salsa, pepper sauces, and horseradish. Avoid rough, dry, or coarse foods, which can scratch an irritated mouth or throat. Eat high-protein, high-calorie foods to speed healing. Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Rinse your mouth often with baking soda mouthwash (made with 1 quart water and 1 tablespoon baking soda) to remove food and germs.

 

RECIPES: Sores in Mouth Apricot Smoothie 1/4 cup plain or vanilla yogurt 1/2 cup whole milk 1/2 cup canned apricots 1 tablespoon honey Blend ingredients to desired consistency and chill well before serving. Makes 1 serving. Each serving is 280 calories (with plain non-fat yogurt), 8 grams protein. Peaches and Cream 1 cup whole milk 1 cup canned peaches, including juice (packed in heavy syrup) 1 cup vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt Almond or vanilla extract to taste Blend ingredients and chill well before serving. Makes 2 servings. Each serving is 300 calories, 7 grams protein.

 

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