Breakfast Shake Helpful Hints

 

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"tastes great"

"got me through chemo"

"energized me"

"put me on the path to full recovery from my cancer treatments"

Helpful Hints:

Special Note: If your digestive system is not already used to a high fiber diet, start with 1 teaspoon each of wheat germ, bran, and flax and gradually work up per your GI system's tolerance.  Be sure to increase your oral fluids of non-caffeinated liquids, too, as you increase your fiber intake.

• Look for packaged tofu in the produce section of the grocery store.  Vacuum packed tofu is also available and may be on the grocery shelves, along with soy milk.
  
  
• Unused portions of tofu should be stored in water and kept refrigerated.  Change the tofu water daily. (If you are severely immune-suppressed during or after your cancer therapy, you must minimize your risk of food-borne illness.  Ask your cancer center for a copy of their guidelines of foods to avoid).
  
  
• I maximize my calcium intake (to help treat my osteoporosis) by using a brand of tofu that is higher in  calcium (made with calcium sulfate or gypsum, not nigari) and calcium-fortified orange juice and soy milk.  
  
  
• Choose a brand of soy milk that is highest in protein and calcium. I also look for unsweetened soy milk.
  
  
• Buying both wheat bran and wheat germ in bulk at a health food store is much cheaper.
  
  
• Buy whole flax seeds at a health food store.  To make your own flax meal, grind about 1/2 cup in a blender for a few seconds, then store both the whole seeds and the ground meal in the freezer. 
  
  
• If an even less sweet shake is more appealing (especially while you are on chemo), add frozen cranberries as part of the fruit.
  
  
• If you have mouth sores during cancer therapy, do not choose fruits that contain tiny seeds (such as blackberries) which can be irritating.  Choose fruit or fruit juice that is non-acidic.