Hi Janeager

I've had the same problem with eating due to surgery and radiotherapy to the throat. My excellent hospital referred me to their dietician, you should give them a call to get their advice. Their recommendation was to basically eat anything that you able to, especially food that you would avoid on a diet. Also I was given bottles of nutrient drinks to take each day, they are hard to choke down but contain lots of calories. If hes not able to swallow solids, how about homemade hummus with extra olive oil, foods with melted cheese on are good, ever tried a swiss fondue? The Macmillan website has some good advice on eating for throat cancer and Im sure I remember seeing a thread on here too.

Thanks Kim.

I'll follow your advice xxx

Hi again the following link is to a PDF version of a macmillan publication I was given at the hospital which I found very useful.

be.macmillan.org.uk/.../MAC13613EatingproblemsandcancerE220142909.pdf

If you are given nutrient supplement drinks by the hospital and find them hard to drink they are very thick, you can dilute the milky ones a bit, or add them to a milk shake, or mix with ice cream and chill. Someone on this forum suggested mixing with whiskey to make a delicious Baileys Irish Cream. I couldn't try this as alcohol stung my throat.

I found soft food like cottage pie, rice pudding, custard ok but spicey,acid salty or very hot/cold very difficult. Add lots of gravy or sauces to food and wash down with sips of water. Also have water on hand all day and take regular sips to keep throat moist. Also when treatment starts the thought of cooking or smell of cooking can put him off eating, so get some ready meals in or have someone at hand to cook for him. Also before treatment starts look at getting him to do swallowing excercises for example the Masato Technique and effortful swallow, plus head and neck stretching excercises. You will find them with a simple search. This might seem trivial now but the benefits of doing will be greatly enhance his quality of life during and after treatment. I hope this is of help. Good luck!

Hi Janeager

Welcome to Cancer Chat.

Just to add to kimchosen's helpful advice, we have some information here on tips for those who need a soft diet.

Also, our specialist nurses are only a phone call away if you would like to talk to them.

You can call freephone: 0808 800 4040 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Best wishes to you and your dad,

Jane