Eating a balanced diet is essential for anyone, but it is even more important for someone battling cancer. If you suffer from lymphoma, you must note that your body needs vital nutrients and vitamins to keep healthy and fight infections. When you are ill, eating well can help ease the symptoms of the disease to recover from treatments. It also gives you the energy to maintain a healthy body weight.
Cancer treatment can make you feel nauseous and reduce your appetite. Here are some recipes that are both nutritious and delicious and easy on the digestive system:
1. Lemon, broccoli, and garlic penne pasta
Pasta is easy to digest and filling. It helps maintain a healthy weight during treatment. Lemon, broccoli, and garlic will help to boost the immune system. If you are a vegetarian, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth. Moreover, if you do not like refined flour, opt for whole-grain pasta.
Ingredients (serves 2): One- fourth of a pound of penne pasta, two and a half cups of broccoli, 2 tbsps of olive oil, 5 thinly sliced cloves of garlic, one- fourth cup of chicken broth or vegetable broth, zest of one lemon, 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste.
Method: Cook the pasta as per the instructions on the pack, as each brand may have different cooking times. Blanch the broccoli in 4 cups of boiling water and drain it. In a skillet, heat the oil and sauté the garlic slices for one to two minutes until it browns. Add the broth and bring it to a boil and simmer until the liquid reduces by half. Add the broccoli, pasta, lemon zest, and salt. Season with spices of your choice and serve with a garnish of parmesan cheese.
2. Herb chicken breast
These chicken breasts are delicious and full of high protein, which is essential for those suffering from lymphoma. This protein-packed meal is not heavy either.
Ingredients (serves 2): 1 chicken breast (skinless and boneless), 1 tsp sesame oil, one-fourth of an onion diced, one-fourth of a fresh ginger minced, half a teaspoon of lime zest, half a cup of cup cilantro, spearmint, extra virgin oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
Method: Make a marinade with spearmint, cilantro, ginger, onion, and salt. Make a paste of it and put the pasta into a bowl and add the lime, sesame oil, and some pepper to taste. Cut the chicken crosswise and fold it out. Pound each chicken piece with a mallet. Spread the marinade in each piece and pound it and flip the chicken over and repeat. Heat a medium-sized skillet and add some of the olive oil, fry each chicken piece until it is cooked.
3. Thai chicken and coconut gravy
This gravy from Thailand is packed with nutrients and protein. The coconut milk is a powerful antioxidant and it has good fats in it.
Ingredients (serves 2): 1 tbsp coconut oil, half a pound of chicken breast, 1 medium onion chopped, 1 clove garlic, 1 tbsp ginger, 1 cup carrots, half a tsp of roasted chili paste or Thai curry paste, half a cup of shiitake mushrooms, one and a half cup of chicken stock and zest of one lime, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 eight-ounce can of coconut milk, 3 tbsp chopped cilantro.
Method: In a large wok, heat the oil and brown the chicken over medium heat. Next, add the carrots, onions, ginger, garlic, and paste, and saute until the vegetables are soft. Pour in the fish sauce and coconut milk and simmer until the chicken is cooked in coconut milk. Serve with rice or noodles.