The C Network shares these collated information from cancer.net and the National Cancer Institute for a more enjoyable meal planning and grocery shopping:

• Once you have your meal plans, you can begin planning by making a list of basic items that appear most often in the recipes for the menus planned with your nutritionist and doctor. These items should be in your kitchen on a regular basis and help you make simple and quick meals.

§         Examples of these may be whole wheat pasta, frozen vegetables, yogurt, canned salmon, canned beans, etc. If you are neutropenic (your immune system is suppressed), you cannot eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Canned fruit and vegetables are ok.

§         If you are suffering from nausea and vomiting, follow the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). These foods are bland and easy to digest. Avoid milk and cheese products and fried foods. Avoid any strong-smelling food.

§         If you are vomiting and suffering from diarrhea, drink a liquid that can replenish your electrolytes like Pedialyte or Gatorade.

§         Lemon drops and pocket pack breath strips can help with the metallic taste of chemotherapy.

§         Avoid eating your favorite foods during chemotherapy, as food can taste different during chemotherapy and you can learn an aversion to food you eat during chemotherapy.

§         If you are suffering from mouth sores, avoid crackers and acidic or spicy food.

§         Drink plenty of water to flush your kidneys and help minimize the side effects, including nausea.

§         High protein food, like scrambled eggs, fish, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, turkey, may help. But this may not work if you are suffering from nausea.

§         A liquid diet may help, such as soup broth and jello.

Identify healthy foods that you have found appealing recently.  Having a variety of food can help you cope with changes in your appetites and tastes. Consider stocking up on frozen entrees or prepackaged meals for times you don’t feel like cooking.

Writing a Shopping List makes the task easier and less time consuming

While writing a list for each store visit may seem like extra work, it can actually save you time and energy. A good list can save you from walking around the store looking for items you missed or from going back to the store for things you forgot. The following tips can help you write your list.

o        Keep a notepad in your kitchen, such as a magnetized one placed on the side of your refrigerator. As you use up items, write them on your list so you remember to buy more.

o        Make a basic outline of the meals and snacks you plan on eating for several days or a week, depending on how often you shop. Review the recipes you plan on using and check to see which ingredients you already have. Add the ingredients you need to your list, as well as the amounts needed.

o        Group items into categories, such as fresh produce, dairy, canned goods, and frozen foods.

Shopping online and other options

Alternatives to regular grocery stores are becoming increasingly popular and more available. Some of these options may cost more than traditional grocery stores, but the added convenience may be worth the extra cost to you. These options may also be cheaper than eating out when you don’t have the energy to shop or cook.

o        Many grocery chains offer online grocery shopping. Customers can create, save, and update an online grocery list; groceries are then delivered for a fee, based on the amount purchased. Talk with the customer service desk at your favorite stores to see if they offer this service.

o        Consider buying fresh fruits and vegetables at a local farmers market. Farmers markets offer fresh, local produce with less walking or waiting in line.

o        There are online retailers that sell prepared, frozen meals that are delivered to your home by express shipping. Try searching online for “meal delivery.