Food and drink is one of the subjects I love to talk about, whether it’s a great meal in a restaurant, a lovely recipe I’ve found and want to share with fellow foodie friends. How much I need a coffee fix in the morning, or to relax with a glass of wine in the evening after a fulfilling day. The triumphs I had getting my fussy boys to eat something different and healthy. How delicious chocolate and cake are. It’s the start of November and I’m already thinking of Christmas pudding, mince pies, Christmas dinner and mulled wine.
Unfortunately because of chemo my taste buds have changed. My mouth is often dry and most dry foods are hard to eat. I don’t enjoy bread and even my homemade spicy lentil soup doesn’t taste right and the texture is uncomfortable in my mouth.
Eating healthily has always been very important to me. It’s a way to stay in control while I’m receiving such aggressive medical treatment. My appetite hasn’t chanced too much. However, after chemo I get a strange metallic taste in my mouth and I feel sick. Fruit, vegetable soups and yogurt are foods I can just about tolerate after chemo. I went to see a dietitian as I was concerned about weight loss. I’m naturally slim and losing weight isn’t good for me. She had some good suggestions for me to make sure I keep my weight. I’ve always enjoyed cooking and trying out new recipes and tasting new foods and drinks.
After my 1st chemo I discovered ginger beer was a good drink to have. It soothes my stomach and stimulates my taste buds. I eat lots of fruit and I snack on blueberries and pineapple chunks. Because the treatment has suspended my menstrual cycle osteoporosis is something I need to look out for. Therefore I drink full fat milk, eat yogurt and cheese. For keeping up such a healthy diet I need to reward myself occasionally – with cake and chocolate of course.