Cancer Care

Cooking Up Better Health During Cancer Treatment

Classes are scheduled twice a month. Upcoming topics include:

 Healthy cooking class topics for 2012

 January         New Year’s Resolution Cooking        Budget Friendly Dishes

February        Dinner for Two                                        Cajun Cooking

March             Italian Cooking                                        Fish “Under the Sea”

April               Greek Cooking                                         Farmers Market

May                French Cooking                                       5 Ingredients or Less

June               Asian Cooking                                        Salads

July                 Spanish Cooking                                   Entertainment Ideas

August           Game Day/ Tailgating                            Lunchbox Favorite

 For exact dates for any of these classes or to register, please call 214.820.2608. The demonstration kitchen is located within the Cvetko Center in Suite 200 of the new Baylor Sammons Cancer Center, 3410 Worth Street, Dallas, Texas  75246.

 Eating healthy is crucial during the treatment of cancer. However, many patients face side effects that impact their nutritional intake or don’t know how to cook healthy foods that accommodate their new nutrition and taste needs.

The Virginia R. Cvetko Patient Education and Support Center at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas has expanded its services to offer a demonstration kitchen where a chef and registered dieticians teach cancer patients and their families how to cook nutritious and tasty recipes during cancer treatments.

“Most people know the basics of good nutrition, they just don’t know how to incorporate everything,” says Tricia Cox, RD, LD, oncology dietician for Baylor Sammons Cancer Center. “When there is a cancer diagnosis, everything else gets pushed to the side. We show them how to prepare healthful items for a variety of conditions and side effects and make good nutrition easier for them to manage.”

Classes have varying nutritional and food selection themes and also offer menus and recommendations for cancer prevention diets. Among the first of the rotating topics are:

• Mediterranean Masterpieces - he Mediterranean diet features foods that are known to be cancer fighting and are well balanced, according “Mediterranean diets tend to be higher in healthy fats that offer anti-inflammatory benefits. This includes olive oil and more unsaturated fats than saturated fats,” says Cox. “It also focuses on plant-based foods, whole grains and limited amounts of dairy. The diet also substitutes fresh fruits for heavy desserts.  “A plant-based diet is a very important part of nutrition in cancer prevention,” she says. “According to the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Cancer Society (ACS), patients should focus on whole grains and  plant-based foods, while consuming dairy, protein and alcohol in moderation.”
• Herbalicious dishes - many patients undergoing chemotherapy lose sensation in their taste buds and need a new way to flavor foods without using salt. Learning to use herbs can make foods tastier and healthier.  “Losing taste is one of the biggest side effects of  chemo,” says Cox. “Many times things have a metallic taste or no taste at all. You need a way to flavor foods that is not too strong and does not use a lot of salt, especially if the patient is experiencing mouth sores.” Cox adds that learning to use spices effectively can help patients flavor food in a way that is palatable for their specific needs.
• Vegetarian 101 - while eating meat has become a staple of many North American’s diets, some people prefer vegetarian dishes. However, it can be difficult to come up with a variety of vegetarian dishes. “This class will focus on foods featuring a more plant-based diet that still incorporates adequate amounts of protein,” says Cox. “Many people don’t know how to plan a balanced vegetarian diet and need to be informed of the different protein sources that can be incorporated into a vegetarian meal plan.” 
• Cooking for One - it can be difficult for patients living alone to want to cook or eat healthfully during treatment. This class teaches patients how to cook healthy food in portions that will accommodate their lifestyle needs. “This is great when you are undergoing treatment and don’t feel like cooking,” says Cox. “You know you have something that will keep you going and provide the nutrition you need.”

Eating well during cancer treatment is an important part of the overall treatment regimen. “This is a quality of life issue,” says Cox. “Adequate nutrition is important to help patients receive the nourishment needed to help them feel their best throughout their cancer treatment.”

The demonstration kitchen was incorporated into the Cvetko Center as part of the new Baylor Sammons Cancer Center to expand emphasis on treating the total patient. The team of dietitians’ goal for classes is to “further educate and demonstrate ways to incorporate healthy eating in patients’ daily lives,” says Cox.