K.L. asks from Dallas, GA on April 20, 2009
Foods for a Diabetic After Throat Surgery
My brother in law is having a mass removed from his throat next week. Depending on the size and exact location, the doctors may also need to remove his tonsils. He will be on a liquid/very soft diet for at least two weeks. He is diabetic so he really cannot eat jello, ice cream, and sweets a lot. I'm looking for food suggestions for him. Any ideas? Of course, healthy foods that will help him get well would be best.
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S.B. answers from Atlanta on April 21, 2009
I would definitely look at the website for the Hallelujah Diet, hacres.com and order him some Barley Max, that alone would be extremely nutrient dense and also healing. Vegetable juices would also be nutritious and healing, and they suggest blended salads, take the salad fixings and put 'em in the blender! voila -- fresh raw food in a form he can take in.
(healed of malignant melanoma cancer 11 years now -12 in July and on the H Diet mostly.)
J.F. answers from Macon on April 21, 2009
I am a diabetic (2 shots a day) and even when not sick, to supplement my diet I drink Glucernia. It's liquid. But even then, his doctor should help him. You can make shakes out of the Glucernia using ice cream (non-sweet, if he can have it - I can't because it has sugar alcohol in it).
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L.M. answers from Atlanta on April 21, 2009
What about sugar-free jello and sugar free pudding.Also some soup and yogurt.If he has to havehis tonsils out and if the tonsils are taken out using laser sugery than he cant eat ice cream
A.L. answers from Atlanta on April 21, 2009
There's nothing like a homemade soup for going down easy and feeling good in the stomach. It could be made with any mixture of beans, vegetables, and/or meat. It will take a couple hours to cook, however a large pot will keep in the fridge for a week. If the food has to be liquid, the cook can strain it before serving and just serve the broth, and when the patient can eat soft foods, then the vegetables and beans can be ground up in a blender and mixed into the broth. I wouldn't recommend puree-ing the meat until later in the recovery; I think the bits would remain too big. The soups can be served warm or cold, depending on what the patient wants and the doctor recommends.
Good luck! A.
B.O. answers from Atlanta on April 21, 2009
K.-
The doctors "should" give you options, but I know these days we need to take matters into our own hands. Eggs and grits area always a good combined meal, it is soft and easy to swallow. If more protein is needed add cheese. Protein shakes are also another good option. You can add fruit, peanut butter and spice them up a bit so they will be different. Make some with milk and some with just water and a splash of yogurt and blend like a smoothie. There are also whole wheat protein pancake mixes out there. For more protein add Turkey Bacon or egg whites. Visit the health food isle and you will gain lots of ideas. Try some of the health food markets like Whole Foods, there are some healthy premade alternatives there as well that will help to change it up a bit. My sister had to have her jaw broken and mouth wired for months several years ago. She was on a total liquid diet, so needless to say we got "very creative" and she had the opposite problem of low blood sugar! Also a good comfort food chicken and brown rice. Macaroni and cheese with spinach. I make my mac n cheese as a one dish meal. I cook the mac add the cheese and milk and egg whites. Layer mac, layer some drained frozen spinach (prefer fresh sauteed if available) then add the rest of the mac. When you are about 20 minutes away from serving, chop fresh tomatoes, layer on top and sprinkle lightly with cheese again. This is soft and has lots of protein and your veggies. Bean soups are good. Just be sure to "de-gas" them. Once you pick the beans, bring a large pot of water to boil. Drop in the beans and when they start to reboil, add a couple of tablespoons of Baking Soda and it will rise and turn green. Let it boil, drain and repeat. This will remove the gas. This is another trick I learned while caring for my Mom. Mom had cancer for 10 years and one of the meds that they had her on for cancer caused her to develop diabetes the last 2 years of her life, so needless to say...I researched a lot about foods and what they do. Beans are an excellent food, but for some people the gas causes a lot of problems. To this day, I still degas my beans! Hope this helps!!!
S.B. answers from Atlanta on April 21, 2009
I would definitely look at the website for the Hallelujah Diet, hacres.com and order him some Barley Max, that alone would be extremely nutrient dense and also healing. Vegetable juices would also be nutritious and healing, and they suggest blended salads, take the salad fixings and put 'em in the blender! voila -- fresh raw food in a form he can take in.
(healed of malignant melanoma cancer 11 years now -12 in July and on the H Diet mostly.)
L.C. answers from Albany on April 21, 2009
As a kid, I remember having my tonsils out, it was the golden surgery to have. A couple days in the hospital with full access to the ice chest - all the ice pops and jello you could eat to soothe the throat. Since your brother-in-law is a diabetic, he can make ahead of time homemade ice pops using 100% no added sugar juice. In addition to the sugar-free jello. There are also some soups out there designed to be eaten cold (gazpacho?).
S.G. answers from Augusta on April 21, 2009
Hi K., I had throat surgery a while back and found that hot/warm foods felt better on my throat than cold foods. You can pretty much take anything and puree it if needed. Being a diabetic he will still need to get some carbs so his blood sugar doesn't bottom out especially if he takes meds for it. So there is no need to avoid them. (i'm also a dietitian) There should be a dietitian available to get a more detailed list of foods for his specific condition. Good luck!
J.F. answers from Macon on April 21, 2009
I am a diabetic (2 shots a day) and even when not sick, to supplement my diet I drink Glucernia. It's liquid. But even then, his doctor should help him. You can make shakes out of the Glucernia using ice cream (non-sweet, if he can have it - I can't because it has sugar alcohol in it).
M.S. answers from Spartanburg on April 21, 2009
There are sugar-free Popsicles & no-sugar added ice creams. Jello is available in a sugar-free version. Soups would be a nutritious alternative. Just check the labels for total carbs and sugars. Don't forget to ask the Dr. about whether he can have hot soup. It may need to heated up then let cool before serving.
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