Nourishing During Cancer Treatment












Cancer treatment can affect appetite, taste, digestion, and energy. Some days, eating may feel easy. Other days, it may take more effort. These simple strategies can help you stay nourished.

  • Choose Easy-to-Eat Foods. Soft, moist foods may be easier to tolerate. Try eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, soups, mashed potatoes, or smoothies. If smells bother you, choose cool or room-temperature foods.

  • Eat Small Amounts More Often. Large meals may feel overwhelming. Try smaller meals or snacks every 2–3 hours and eat when your appetite is strongest.

  • Make Every Bite Count. When you are eating less, choose foods that provide extra calories and protein. Add foods like avocado, nut butter, cheese, olive oil, eggs, Greek yogurt, or milk-based smoothies.

  • Stay Hydrated. Sip fluids throughout the day. Water, broth, milk, smoothies, and electrolyte drinks can all help. If fluids make you feel too full, drink more between meals.

  • Practice Food Safety. Wash hands before preparing food, keep raw meat separate from other foods, cook foods thoroughly, and refrigerate leftovers promptly.Remember: Your nutrition needs may change throughout treatment. Focus on what you can tolerate, and talk with your healthcare team or registered dietitian if eating becomes difficult.
Lettuce: Fresh, Crisp, and Full of Goodness!
Lettuce, Fresh, Crisp, and Full of Goodness! This leafy green grows well during Louisiana's cooler months, making it a refreshing addition to fall meals. From crunchy romaine to tender green leaf lettuce, you can enjoy many varieties.

Meet the Lettuce Family

Not all lettuce looks or tastes the same! Different varieties bring their own texture, color, and crunch.

  • Romaine: Crisp with sturdy leaves and a slightly sweet flavor. Great for salads and wraps.

  • Green Leaf: Soft, ruffled leaves with a mild flavor. Perfect for sandwiches and simple salads.

  • Red Leaf: Similar to green leaf lettuce, but with reddish-purple tips that add extra color to the plate.

  • Butter Lettuce: Soft, tender leaves with a mild, almost buttery texture. Try it in lettuce cups or wraps.

  • Iceberg: Extra crisp and refreshing with a mild flavor. Great for tacos, burgers, and chopped salads.

  • Arugula: A leafy green with a slightly peppery flavor. Mix a little into milder lettuces for something different.


Health Benefits of Lettuce: 

Lettuce may be light and crisp, but it offers important nutrients that help growing bodies stay healthy.

  • Hydration: Lettuce is more than 90% water, helping kids stay hydrated throughout the day.

  • Healthy eyes: Darker green varieties, like romaine, provide vitamin A and lutein, which support eye health.

  • Strong bones: Lettuce contains vitamin K, an important nutrient for bone health and normal blood clotting.

  • Healthy growth: Folate helps the body make new cells as children grow.


Try It at Home: Lettuce Taste Test

Pick two or three types of lettuce and let everyone try a bite of each. Compare the color, crunch, texture, and flavor, then vote for a family favorite.

For even more fun, create a DIY lettuce wrap bar with lettuce leaves, shredded chicken or beans, cheese, chopped vegetables, and a favorite sauce. Let everyone build their own!

Fun Fact: Lettuce belongs to the same plant family as sunflowers and daisies! Its scientific name, Lactuca sativa, comes from a Latin word meaning milk, referring to the milky sap found in its stems.
Spring Rolls with Dipping Sauce
Recipe from Mrs. Dash
Prep Time:15 min, Cooking Time: 2 min, Ready In:17 min

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash Original Blend

  • 1 cup sour cream

  • 4 butter lettuce leaves

  • 4 ounces carrot, peeled, cut into 5-inch matchsticks

  • 4 ounces cucumber, peeled, seeded, cut into 5-inch matchsticks

  • 4 spring roll wrappers


Directions:

Mix Mrs. Dash Original Blend with sour cream to make a dipping sauce. Set aside. Lay out each spring roll wrapper. Brush with water and let stand until soft. Lay on top of each butter lettuce leaf. Add equal parts of carrots and cucumber. Roll tightly into spring rolls. Cut into 1-inch slices and arrange on a plate. Serve with Mrs. Dash Original dipping sauce.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
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