When eating out: Good choices include porridge, soupy dishes, steamed dishes, egg-based dishes, or stir-fried items. Look for foods that provide muscle-maintaining protein and support recovery, said Chloe Ong, a senior dietitian with Parkway Cancer Centre at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
One important point for cancer patients is food safety, highlighted Ong. “Choose stalls with good hygiene standards, and opt for foods that are cooked fresh and served piping hot. Avoid foods that have been displayed for prolonged periods as well as raw or undercooked items.”
When cooking at home: A nutritious meal doesn’t have to have several dishes, said Ong. A simple, one-bowl meal – if it includes protein, carbohydrates and vegetables – can provide all the essential nutrients.
Simple dishes such as steamed fish with tofu, chicken and vegetable soup, minced chicken porridge with egg, baked salmon with potato, stir-fried tofu with vegetables, or bean-based soups can be nutritious and easy to consume, said Jocelyn Fong, a senior dietitian from 365 Cancer Prevention Society.
A patient’s appetite, food preferences, and tolerance to certain foods may change throughout the treatment journey, Fong added, so exploring different cooking methods such as steaming, baking, stewing, stir-frying, grilling and air-frying can help provide variety and accommodate changing taste preferences.
When ordering food delivery: Look for meals that contain a good source of protein, said Ong. “For example, in a typical three-dish meal, at least one or two dishes should be protein-rich, such as fish, chicken, eggs, tofu or legumes.”
Fong suggested simple modifications to increase the intake of energy and protein. For example, choose creamy soups over clear soups. “Consider ordering an extra serving of protein, such as fish, chicken, eggs, tofu or legumes, if appetite permits,” she said. “Include energy-dense snacks or desserts such as soybean curd, black sesame paste, green bean soup, yoghurt or milk-based drinks.”
