Are you struggling with a sore mouth? Does the thought of solid food make your stomach turn? Do you simply not have enough energy to pick up each bite with a fork and eat?
If any of these issues are a problem for you, consider using smoothies. Whether purchased or homemade, smoothies or shakes can make a great meal or snack substitute!
Many commercial smoothie shops can whip up a shake in an instant. Leave out the herbal concoctions they promote, but do ask for protein powder.
Want to give it a shot at home, but not sure where to begin?
- Get a blender or mixer. A blender is ideal, but if you don’t have one, a hand mixer with one attachment in a tall bowl will do the trick!
- Choose a protein-rich base. Try different types of milk to see what suits your taste buds best. Even changing from skim to whole milk will change the flavor and consistency. If you are lactose intolerant or vegan, try an alternative to cow’s milk like soy or Lactaid milk. If you need more calories to maintain or gain weight, consider using a high-calorie vanilla flavored nutrition shake as a base.
- Add up the protein. If you are on chemo or radiation and are using a smoothie as a meal replacement, aim for about 30 grams of protein in a shake. Eight ounces of milk will provide eight (8) grams of protein. One tablespoon of peanut butter will add about three (3) more grams. Silken tofu, ice cream and/or plain yogurt are other great additions for protein.
- Add protein powder. Protein powders vary tremendously on their protein content. Choose one that is 100% whey and add enough to your smoothie to provide 15-20 grams of protein. (Read the label to see how much you will need). From my experience, Beneprotein and Unjurymix better than some other brands, and both are available unflavored.
- Add fruit. Depending on the condition of your mouth, throat and taste buds, you may or may not want to add fruit. Berries, peaches and bananas all mix well into smoothies. Fruit doesn’t provide protein, but it does provide flavor, fiber and cancer-fighting nutrients. If your preferred fruits are not in season, choose frozen instead. If your mixer or blender isn’t powerful enough, try pureeing fruit in a food processor before blending.
- Experiment with flavors. Are traditional dairy-based fruit smoothies not working for you? Mix it up and try adding instant coffee (mocha), cocoa powder, or fruit or nut extracts (like almond or orange). Or….try a dairy-free smoothie with fruit and vegetables juices, ice and an unflavored protein powder.
Prefer to follow a smoothie recipe? Check out these sites for more ideas!
Caring4Cancer Smoothies
Diana Dyer’s Smoothies
