Quick summary
To avoid making food a source of stress and conflict between you and a loved one undergoing cancer treatment, think of your role as similar to that of a hostess at a party: You want to offer a delicious, nutritious meal, but after that it's up to him to decide when and what to eat. Do be proactive and work with his doctors to combat and reduce the nausea as much as possible. But as far as eating goes, all you can really do is offer plenty of choices and make the experience as pleasant and as stress-free as possible. Some strategies that help:
The journal keeping advice.
I know someone who had cancer and he couldn't keep anything down either. He told me what worked for him was Instant Breakfast packets (e.g., Carnation Instant Breakfast) and they tasted good to him. They also provide nutrients if this is the only thing you are taking in. I needed an alternative for my mother, who has AD and has lost 12 lbs. in the last 6 mos. Her dr. wants her to gain some weight and recommended Ensure, but she doesn't like the taste of the canned drink. You might try the instant breakfast or the Ensure. The most important thing is to get the person some nutrition. Hope this helps.
The only thing my father loves to eat /drink is seedless red grapes from local fruit stand or chocalate malts from Beefaroo. We have several dr. appts. so we let him pick his favorite place to eat and let him decide what he will eat. Its always the malts. I think he enjoys being around people that do not appear sick like the people at the dr. office.
Does anyone have any idea for foods to feed your parent when they say they just can't eat anything? I have a friend right now going through chemo for breast cancer and she just can't keep anything down. I even tried smoothies and she couldn't drink them. Please, any suggestions?