It’s important for mesothelioma patients to maintain nutrition, especially around the holidays. However, with a bit of planning, cancer patients can comfortably enjoy holiday meals with loved ones.
Whether by modifying your favorite dish or finding new ones that are better suited to the appetite changes caused by mesothelioma treatment, there are many ways to get the nutrition you need. Explore key recipes below.
5 Autumn & Winter Recipes for Mesothelioma Nutrition
Experts agree that proper nutrition is very important for veterans — and anyone else — fighting mesothelioma. Maintaining a good mesothelioma nutrition plan ensures that the body has what it needs to fight cancer as best as possible.
However, side effects of mesothelioma treatments may cause patients to lose their appetites, meaning patients won’t get the nutrients they need to fight cancer or stay in good overall health.
With the fall season in full swing and holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching, our team has compiled 5 recipe ideas for mesothelioma patients that are not only tasty, but packed with nutrients to support their health.
While each patient’s nutrition plan will be unique to their needs, you can use these as a starting point or even try some with your doctor’s approval.
You can also get a Free Veterans Packet to learn about other helpful resources for mesothelioma patients, from top treatments to ways to afford care.
1. Crockpot Turkey Stew
Many Thanksgiving dinners usually center on a roasted turkey. Crockpot turkey stew is a delicious way to get many Thanksgiving ingredients into an all-in-one dish that’s easy to chew and swallow.
To make this delicious and easy dish, you’ll need:
- 2 pounds of boneless & skinless turkey
- 1 medium leek, sliced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 teaspoons of thyme
- 1 teaspoon of oregano
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- 1 cup of winter squash, peeled & cubed
- 1 16-ounce can of organic tomatoes
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 medium carrot, chopped
- 3 cups of chicken broth (adjust depending on how thick you want it)
Add the turkey, leeks, celery, and spices into the slow cooker on high. Cook until leeks become translucent. Then add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 2-3 hours on medium or up to 6-8 hours on low. Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.
2. Sweet Carrots
Carrots are a popular fall vegetable with cancer-fighting properties since they are high in vitamins K and A. This sweet carrot recipe is a great way to incorporate mesothelioma nutrition into holiday side dishes.
To make sweet carrots, you will need:
- ½ cup of water
- ⅛ teaspoon of salt
- 2 cups of shredded carrots
- 1 teaspoon of butter
- Sugar substitute (for taste)
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
Boil the water in a small saucepan. Add carrots and salt and cook until the water evaporates (about 5 minutes). Then, remove the carrots from the heat, stirring in the butter, sweetener, lemon juice, and parsley. Serve immediately.
3. Apple Pie
Apples are high in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. While the healthiest way to eat apples is whole and raw, a pie is a great splurge for the holidays that still provides mesothelioma nutrition.
To make this tasty apple pie, you will need:
Crust
- 1 cup of dry rolled oats
- ¼ cup of whole-wheat pastry flour
- ¼ cup of ground almonds
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, packed
- 3 tablespoons of canola oil
- 1 tablespoon of water
Filling
- 6 cups of sliced and peeled tart apples (about 4 large apples)
- ⅓ cup of frozen apple juice concentrate
- 2 tablespoons of quick-cooking tapioca
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
To make the crust, mix the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. In another bowl, whisk oil and water together. Add the oil and water to the dry ingredients and mix until the dough holds together. Add more water if needed. Press the dough into a 9-inch pie plate and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine all the filling ingredients and let stand for 15 minutes before stirring and spooning into the crust. Bake the pie at 425° F for 15 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to 350° F and bake for 40 more minutes, or until the apples are tender.
4. Maple Sweet Potato Smoothie
A maple sweet potato smoothie is a delicious and satisfying way to meet mesothelioma nutrition goals, especially if you don’t have an appetite for a full dinner.
Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins, dietary fiber, and potassium. They are considered anticancer food because they contain 520% of the recommended daily value of vitamin A. They also contain carotenoids that help control cell growth.
To make a mapled sweet potato smoothie, you will need:
- 1 sweet potato
- ½ cup of dates (Medjool dates are a sweet variety that work well)
- 2 tablespoons of cashews
- A pinch of cinnamon
- 1¼ cup of maple water (found in organic food sections of grocery stores)
- 1 orange
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- Cupful of ice
Chop sweet potatoes into small chunks and roast for about 30 minutes in an oil-coated pan in a preheated oven at 400° F. Roughly chop the dates (removing the pits), then peel and chop the orange. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
In addition to these delicious suggestions, favorite holiday recipes can often be altered to better suit a mesothelioma patient’s nutritional needs.
5. Salmon and Fall Vegetables
This meal is an excellent source of nutrients, ranging from omega-3s to fiber. It’s also prepared in one pan, making it simple and less time-consuming to prepare.
Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:
- 2 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon of maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 1 clove of minced garlic
- 3 whole garlic cloves smashed
- 2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger
- 4 5-ounce skin-on salmon filets
- 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed (around 2 pounds)
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts
- 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds, for garnish
Make a marinade using the soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, lime juice, red pepper flakes, minced garlic clove, and ginger, and then add the salmon with the skin side up.
Put the squash and Brussels sprouts onto a baking sheet, then toss them in pepper and olive oil and scatter in the smashed garlic. Preheat the oven to 425° F and roast the vegetables on the baking sheet for 15 minutes.
Remove the sheet from the oven and make space for the 4 salmon filets. Add them and pour the leftover marinade onto the salmon. Put the baking sheet back into the oven for another 12 minutes. Finally, garnish your salmon with sesame seeds if desired and serve.
More Nutritional Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Tasty recipes like these can help ensure that a mesothelioma patient you love can get the nutrients they need as the holidays approach. With that said, trying new recipes is only one way to stay on top of your nutrition.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help you and your family get the medical care and nutritional advice you need following a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Connect with us to:
- Find top cancer centers near you, which may have nutritionists on staff
- Speak with our registered nurses about your treatment and nutrition
- Get additional support as you navigate your cancer care plan
Call (877) 450-8973 to get a Free Veterans Packet to find out all the ways we can assist you.
