Eating to Thrive
Good nutrition is essential for cancer survivors. The side effects of therapies, such as nausea, fatigue, and sensitivity to smells, can make meal preparation a daunting task. Following treatment, reducing inflammation, managing weight, fatigue, nausea, may create unique challenges to preparing and enjoying meals. In today’s post we’ll explore three kitchen tools I recommend for cancer patients, as well as anyone adopting a plant-based diet, whether they are focused on prevention or survivorship. These tools can make a significant difference in ensuring individuals get the nourishment they need while managing the challenges of treatment or maintaining overall health.
The Best Diet for Cancer Survivors
The best diet for cancer survivors may just be a plant-based diet. A plant-based diet is centered around whole, unprocessed plant foods, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains while minimizing or excluding animal products. It's a dietary choice known for its potential health benefits, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting overall well-being. A plant-based diet is rich in essential nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, making it an excellent option for those looking to improve their health or manage chronic conditions.
Three Kitchen Tools for the Best Diet for Cancer Survivors
To successfully adopt and maintain a plant-based diet, one may need specialized kitchen tools that streamline meal preparation and enhance the overall culinary experience, especially when faced with the challenges of cancer treatment, prevention, or survivorship. These tools, such as the combination Instant Pot/Air Fryer, a high-quality chef's or Santoku knife, and a Vitamix blender, can make plant-based cooking more accessible, efficient, and enjoyable, supporting individuals in achieving their dietary goals while ensuring optimal nutrition.
1. The Combination Instant Pot/Air Fryer: A Lifesaver for Quick and Odor-Free Meals
The combination Instant Pot and Air Fryer is a versatile kitchen gadget that not only aids cancer patients but is also invaluable for anyone adopting a plant-based diet for prevention or survivorship. Here's how this tool can benefit everyone:
a. Quick and Efficient Cooking: The Instant Pot's pressure-cooking feature can significantly reduce cooking times for staples like beans, rice, lentils, and grains. This is invaluable when you want nutritious plant-based meals in a hurry. Most beans take about 30 minutes to go from dry to beautifully cooked. Brown rice can be made in about 15 minutes. Soup recipes that I used to prepare in the slow cooker are beautifully prepared in a fraction of the time.
b. Odor Control: Reduced cooking time and the sealed cooking environment of the Instant Pot minimizes food odors, making meal preparation more pleasant for those with heightened smell sensitivity.
c. Healthier Choices: The Air Fryer function allows for the preparation of crispy, plant-based snacks and side dishes without undesirable fats, promoting a healthier diet. You can also use the roasting feature to prepare things like roasted root vegetables - yum!
d. Versatility: This tool has many other features to enable the creation of a wide range of plant-based dishes. You can use one of many functions including saute', slow cook, steam, sous vide', bake, broil or dehydrate.
Whether you're a cancer patient, someone focused on prevention, or a survivor, the Instant Pot/Air Fryer combo streamlines plant-based meal preparation, making it easier to maintain a nutritious diet.
2. A Quality Chef's Knife or Santoku Knife: Precision, Safety, and Ergonomics in the Kitchen
A reliable, high-quality knife, such as a chef's knife and a Santoku knife will work exceptionally well for those embracing plant-based nutrition. A paring knife is also handy, A good, sharp knife will slice through vegetables like butter and make prep quick and easy! A Santoku knife is my go-to choice for most tasks. When choosing a knife, consider the benefits of forged knives, such as those in the Wusthof Ikon line (I’m a huge fan!), over laser-cut ones for precision and longevity. They are a bit more expensive but in my opinion, they are worth it! Here's why these knives are essential:
a. Precision: Forged chef's and Santoku knives, are forged to perfection. The forging process ensures that the blade is made from a single piece of high-quality steel, resulting in a sharper, more durable edge that maintains its sharpness for longer periods.
b. Ergonomics: Wusthof's Ikon line is known for its outstanding ergonomics. These knives feature handles that provide a comfortable and secure grip. The balanced design reduces the risk of fatigue or strain when preparing meals, ensuring a pleasant cooking experience. Before purchasing, I highly recommend holding different knives in your hand to see which one feels best. Are they ergonimically correct for you? Too heavy or flimsy feeling? The right knife will feel like an extension of your hand.
c. Versatility: Whether it's chopping herbs, slicing tomatoes, or dicing onions, a good chef's or Santoku knife can quickly and easily handle a wide range of tasks in the kitchen. While a paring knife is handy for more delicate work, many individuals find that a Santoku knife suits most of their needs.
Most chefs use just a few favorite knives (so you can skip the big knife block) The choice between a chef's knife and a Santoku knife ultimately comes down to personal preference, but having one of these knives, along with a paring knife, in your kitchen arsenal is essential for cancer patients and plant-based enthusiasts alike. They make it easier to create nutrient-rich meals with precision and safety while enjoying the benefits of a forged knife's longevity and sharpness.
3. The Vitamix Blender: Liquid Nutrition at Its Best
Looking for nausea or appetite loss relief? I frequently recommend small, frequent meals. A Vitamix blender can be a game-changer. Its powerful blending capabilities can help individuals create nutrient-packed, easy-to-digest meals that can be sipped throughout the day. Here's why the Vitamix blender is a top choice:
a. Smoothie Mastery: A Vitamix blender can turn fruits and vegetables into silky-smooth concoctions that are easy to consume and digest. These nutrient-packed smoothies are a fantastic way to incorporate vitamins and minerals into your plant-based diet.
Want a free smoothie template? I'm giving one away as an incentive for completing a survey. Learn more here by 10/23/23. Make nutritionally balanced smoothies!
b. Grain Blending: The separate grain blending pitcher is a unique feature of some Vitamix models. It allows individuals to blend grains like oats or rice into a fine powder, which can be incorporated into various plant-based dishes, providing added nutrition and texture.
c. Variety: The Vitamix is incredibly versatile, capable of making everything from creamy soups to refreshing smoothies to homemade nut butters. It allows for a wide range of flavors and textures to cater to individual preferences and dietary requirements.
d. Efficient Nutrition: Blending foods can enhance the body's absorption of nutrients, making the Vitamix an excellent tool for maximizing the nutritional value of plant-based meals.
e. Super Easy Clean Up – Just add a drop of dishwashing soap and some water to the pitcher and place it on the stand to wash the Vitamix. I once had a patient who took my advice about getting a Vitamix tell me if there was a self-washing toaster, she’d buy it, too!
Whether you're a cancer patient, someone focused on prevention, or a survivor, a Vitamix empowers you to create nutrient-dense, easily digestible plant-based meals that support your overall health and well-being.
Embracing a plant-based diet, whether for cancer prevention, survivorship, or general health, can significantly benefit from the expertise of integrative oncology dietitians and the right kitchen tools. The combination Instant Pot/Air Fryer, Wusthof Santoku or chef's knife, and Vitamix blender make meal preparation more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. These tools streamline plant-based meal preparation, reduce odor-related discomfort, and enable the creation of nutrient-rich, easy-to-digest dishes. With the guidance of integrative oncology dietitians and the support of these kitchen essentials, individuals can focus on their health and well-being with confidence, whether they are on their cancer journey or striving for a plant-based lifestyle.
This article is not meant to be a substitute for individualized medical care. Work with your care team and an integrative oncology dietitian to establish what is right for you.
The American Cancer Society uses the term cancer survivor to refer to anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer no matter where they are in the course of their disease.
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