7 Tips for Holiday Eating
7 Tips for Holiday Eating
Food can be a tricky subject under the best circumstances. Add in the complications of cancer, the holidays, and family – now that’s a minefield that would make anyone want to crawl under the table and hide! It can be frustrating when meals are at the heart of all we do, but meals make us miserable. Emotions and stress can also affect how we process and digest our food, leading to flare ups and uncomfortable bathroom tips if we’re not careful.
Even in survivorship, colorectal cancer can often remain on our minds because our digestive systems are not the same as they once were. How then, can we enjoy our holiday meal after facing colorectal cancer? Good news: It’s possible!
Here are 7 tips for holiday eating after a colorectal cancer diagnosis.
1. Bring What You Can Eat
If you are asked to bring a dish or a snack, bring a dish that fits your meal plan. Set yourself up for success. Bring what you can eat.
Consider tracking what you’re eating throughout the day. This will encourage mindful eating and help eliminate grazing. It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday atmosphere and eat too much because it’s there.
Look for recipes that include healthy choices for you ahead of time.
2. Hydrate
Some health issues like constipation, weight gain, and fatigue can be lessened by drinking fluids throughout the day. Plan to hydrate well: have 8oz.–12oz. of fluids every three to four hours. Water, juices, decaffeinated tea, coffee, broths, soups, ices, popsicles, gelatins, and low-calorie beverages can help you feel more like yourself.
Dehydration is a common side effect of cancer treatment, so be sure to remain hydrated. Liquids assist in moving food through the digestive track and curb cravings for high calorie snacks. If lactose sensitive, choose lactose-free options.
3. Tell People How You Feel
Let them know in advance if you don’t feel up to hosting your usual holiday party. If unable to contribute your signature holiday dish for dinner, offer to bring condiments, plates, utensils, napkins, or cups. These items are essential to a great party.
4. Let Others Help
Family and friends want to help. Cancer is also really difficult for caregivers because so frequently there isn’t anything they can do. So, they’re happy to know that making some accommodations can help you.
Let others help you with eating good for the holidays. Guide them to a website with recipes for people with cancer. Allow them assist you with your nutrition and side effects. They can choose recipes that address your nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and trouble swallowing.
The people who love you want to be sure you’re eating healthy for the holidays.
Communicating your needs won’t only help you, but it allows those around you to know what you need. Otherwise, they will be guessing, and that’s a recipe for problems.
5. Be Prepared
Your host wants you to be comfortable, so don’t be shy about asking for anything you need. However, it’s good to be prepared in case you don’t need something the host doesn’t have. Consider packing a holiday survival kit with the following:
Food
Snacks you can eat and have had success with.
Clothes
A complete backup outfit (including socks and shoes) in case you have an accident.
Supplies
Creams and soft or doubly-ply toilet paper. Extra ostomy provisions.
6. Connect
Clearly communicating your needs allows you to connect. Cancer can be so isolating. You’re trapped in your own terrible experience while those around you go on with normal life.
How do you bridge the gap and reconnect? Connect and communicate.
When you share honestly, you will let others in and allow them to help.
Imagine a friend of yours is struggling, but you don’t really know why or how to help. What if they shared how they’re feeling and specifically let you know what you could do to help? What a relief! Communication opens up connections.
7. Embrace the Season
The real reason for the season is not food and drink but more about family, friends, and celebrating another year. Give thanks for those around you. Enjoy gratitude in the day.
Enjoy eating good during the holidays with foods that you haven’t had the energy to make lately. Embrace the season.
Food can be a tricky subject under the best circumstances. Add in the complications of cancer, the holidays, and family – now that’s a minefield that would make anyone want to crawl under the table and hide! It can be frustrating when meals are at the heart of all we do, but meals make us miserable. Emotions and stress can also affect how we process and digest our food, leading to flare ups and uncomfortable bathroom tips if we’re not careful.
Even in survivorship, colorectal cancer can often remain on our minds because our digestive systems are not the same as they once were. How then, can we enjoy our holiday meal after facing colorectal cancer? Good news: It’s possible!
Here are 7 tips for holiday eating after a colorectal cancer diagnosis.
1. Bring What You Can Eat
If you are asked to bring a dish or a snack, bring a dish that fits your meal plan. Set yourself up for success. Bring what you can eat.
Consider tracking what you’re eating throughout the day. This will encourage mindful eating and help eliminate grazing. It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday atmosphere and eat too much because it’s there.
Look for recipes that include healthy choices for you ahead of time.
2. Hydrate
Some health issues like constipation, weight gain, and fatigue can be lessened by drinking fluids throughout the day. Plan to hydrate well: have 8oz.–12oz. of fluids every three to four hours. Water, juices, decaffeinated tea, coffee, broths, soups, ices, popsicles, gelatins, and low-calorie beverages can help you feel more like yourself.
Dehydration is a common side effect of cancer treatment, so be sure to remain hydrated. Liquids assist in moving food through the digestive track and curb cravings for high calorie snacks. If lactose sensitive, choose lactose-free options.
3. Tell People How You Feel
Let them know in advance if you don’t feel up to hosting your usual holiday party. If unable to contribute your signature holiday dish for dinner, offer to bring condiments, plates, utensils, napkins, or cups. These items are essential to a great party.
4. Let Others Help
Family and friends want to help. Cancer is also really difficult for caregivers because so frequently there isn’t anything they can do. So, they’re happy to know that making some accommodations can help you.
Let others help you with eating good for the holidays. Guide them to a website with recipes for people with cancer. Allow them assist you with your nutrition and side effects. They can choose recipes that address your nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and trouble swallowing.
The people who love you want to be sure you’re eating healthy for the holidays.
Communicating your needs won’t only help you, but it allows those around you to know what you need. Otherwise, they will be guessing, and that’s a recipe for problems.
5. Be Prepared
Your host wants you to be comfortable, so don’t be shy about asking for anything you need. However, it’s good to be prepared in case you don’t need something the host doesn’t have. Consider packing a holiday survival kit with the following:
Food
Snacks you can eat and have had success with.
Clothes
A complete backup outfit (including socks and shoes) in case you have an accident.
Supplies
Creams and soft or doubly-ply toilet paper. Extra ostomy provisions.
6. Connect
Clearly communicating your needs allows you to connect. Cancer can be so isolating. You’re trapped in your own terrible experience while those around you go on with normal life.
How do you bridge the gap and reconnect? Connect and communicate.
When you share honestly, you will let others in and allow them to help.
Imagine a friend of yours is struggling, but you don’t really know why or how to help. What if they shared how they’re feeling and specifically let you know what you could do to help? What a relief! Communication opens up connections.
7. Embrace the Season
The real reason for the season is not food and drink but more about family, friends, and celebrating another year. Give thanks for those around you. Enjoy gratitude in the day.
Enjoy eating good during the holidays with foods that you haven’t had the energy to make lately. Embrace the season.
