How does someone undergoing cancer treatment ensure they are eating healthy food when all they have to cook with is a microwave?

This is one of the areas our new specialist dietician Debra Edson can provide expert advice on after years working in the NHS providing support to patients on how to maximise the nutrition they get with the ingredients and cooking equipment available to them.

Debra has worked in hospitals for around 16 years, mainly on acute wards and advising people in cardiac care and with head and neck cancer on how to maximise the energy, vitamins and micro-nutrients to they need for their own particular situation.

Debra said: “I enjoy looking peoples’ unique personal requirements, not just medically, but also their circumstances and issues such as are they able to cook and what do they have available in terms of equipment etc. I then put together a plan that will provide them with what they need at that time.”

“It is obviously important that any dietary recommendations are achievable, and I will talk through what people may have in their kitchen, which in some cases may only be a microwave, or they may be feeling too ill to cook a big meal.

“Other clients may be experiencing a loss in their sense of taste so we might look at different textures and different ways of still getting enjoyment out of eating.”

To find out more about our nutritional advice services email tct@cancercare.org.uk