Quick meals and snacks

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FATIGUE – Quick meals and snacks (PDF)

It is important to have adequate nutrition and hydration during cancer treatment but it can be hard to prepare meals and snacks when you are feeling fatigued. Having small meals and snacks throughout the day can be helpful in ensuring you are getting enough calories and protein.

 
• KEEP YOUR FRIDGE, FREEZER AND PANTRY STOCKED WITH SOME FAVOURITE FOODS.
• EAT EVERY FEW HOURS. This will give your body a constant supply of energy. Include a carbohydrate (whole grain bread, pita, or crackers) and a protein (nuts, legumes, fish, eggs).
• ADD SOME OF THESE ITEMS TO YOUR MEALS AND SNACKS if you are losing weight and need extra calories:
✓ Oils such as olive oil/avocado oil/coconut oil
✓ Butter, mayonnaise or other sauces of your choice
✓ Nuts and seeds
✓ Honey/maple syrup
✓ Use full fat dairy products
 

Meals that don’t require cooking

• Canned fish, crackers and sliced vegetables
• Yogurt, fruit and granola
• Nut butter sandwich, homemade fruit and vegetable smoothie
• Leftover fish or chicken used in a sandwich with a side salad
• Peanut butter and jam sandwich with fruit salad and a cup of milk or milk alternatives
• Mashed canned chickpea sandwich made with whole grain bread, lettuce and tomato
• Packaged ready-to-eat tofu, hummus and pita, sliced vegetables, fruit smoothie

Quick and easy meals

• Grilled cheese and bowl of canned or jarred tomato soup
• Frozen meal, fruit and a glass of milk
• Baked chicken, rice and steamed broccoli
• Pasta with canned or jarred tomato sauce
• Scrambled eggs, pita and sliced avocado
• Quinoa salad with vegetables and pasteurized feta cheese
• Flour or corn wrap with cheese and vegetables

Avocado & Egg Toast	Queso Fresco & Spinach Quesadilla

AUTHORS
Megan Morrison RD, Princess Margaret
Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario

Stéphanie Pasaman RD, University of Montreal Health Centre (CHUM),
Montreal, Quebec

Erin Roman RD, InspireHealth Supportive
Cancer Care, Vancouver, British Columbia

DISCLAIMER
The information in this publication is not intended as medical advice nor should it replace advice, expertise and information given by a member of your healthcare team.
Nourish Spotlight is a publication of the Nourish: Canada’s Nutrition Companion for Oncology Patients and Caregivers series: a free resource developed by registered dietitians, available in print and online www.nourishonline.ca

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