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| By
Laurie Burrows Grad |
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According
to the American Cancer Society, eating nutritiously while undergoing
chemotherapy
or radiation is important to help you feel better all around. Proper
nourishment helps to maintain strength, energy, weight and vital
nutrient stores. It may also help you tolerate treatment-related side
effects, decrease the chance of infection and help you to
recover more quickly.
My friends who have gone through
cancer treatments acknowledge all these points but also say that
there are times when you just don’t feel like eating. At these
times, they reach for comforting foods--for cold soups, cold sauces,
puddings and other cool and soothing foods that feed not only the
tummy but also the soul.
Here are a few favorite soothing
cold dishes that will help add calories and feed the comfort zone as
well.
(see a previous article by this author on easy-to-prepare
shakes for cancer patients)
Cold Cucumber-Avocado
Soup
Serves 4-6
It is best to prepare this soup a
day to several hours in advance to allow it to be well chilled.
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-inch chunks
(you can also use half of a European seedless cucumber, which does
not need peeling)
1 large ripe avocado, peeled
2 scallions
(green and white parts included), roughly chopped
1-cup chicken
broth
3/4 cup sour cream (you can use a good brand of light sour
cream if desired)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and freshly
ground white pepper to taste
Garnish: dollop of sour cream and
chopped chives or scallion greens
1. In a
food processor or blender, combine the cucumber, avocado and
scallions and pulsate on and off until well chopped.
2. Add the
remaining ingredients and process until smooth. Place the mixture in
a covered container and refrigerate for about four hours.
3.
Taste for seasonings, adjust as necessary and serve the soup in
chilled bowls garnished with a dollop of sour cream and chopped
chives or scallion greens.
Cook Notes:
Garnishing is
very important, particularly when a patient is not hungry. If the
soup is served attractively, it will help to inspire the patient to
eat.
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