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Carly Roop RD, CSO, is a registered dietitian at the Joan Karnell Cancer Center (JKCC). She provides nutrition education and support to patients while addressing nutrition-related side effects from chemotherapy and radiation. Dietitians at JKCC provide educational nutrition programs that are open to patients as well as the community.

Can You Still Have a Merry Time Without Eating or Drinking?

It seems impossible to go anywhere or do anything without eating or drinking, especially, during the holidays. The calendar fills up with dinners, holiday parties or drinks after work and the morning talk shows feature gift ideas that are food-related as well, because I guess they figure we all have to eat.
However, if you know someone with cancer currently undergoing treatment or if you are going through treatment you know firsthand the effect it has on someone’s appetite or ability to eat.

I am amazed at the extent we are linked to food; food not only feeds us physically, but food feeds us emotionally, culturally, socially and psychologically. For some their aversion for food may only be temporary but for others they may never be able to eat normally again.

So what can you do at Christmas for someone with cancer who can’t or isn’t interested in eating? Hopefully, these ideas below will help you get your wheels turning:

• Bowling: I know that you can eat while you are bowling but when you think about all the people touching the balls…do you really want to?
• Paint your own pottery or take a painting class: I’ve seen painting classes on social coupon websites, and there is usually a BYOB option, if you are so inclined.
• Go to the Nutcracker: Unlike the movies, you are encouraged to finish your drink or snack before taking your seat.
• Have a spa day
• Make a book on tape or read someone to sleep: Who doesn’t like being read to?
• Make a mixed CD: This may sound high school, but your friend or family member will appreciate the time and thought you put into the gift and they may even like the songs!
• Go to amateurs’ night at comedy club: It’s a good time, and everyone loves to laugh.
• Take a walk or drive around to the neighborhood to take in the beautiful or garish Christmas displays
• Go to the museum
• Spend time putting together a gigantic jigsaw puzzle: I knew someone who would frame his puzzles after they were done and hang them as art
• Photography: Sometimes it’s more fun to be behind the camera
• Accessories: Shoes, for example, don’t have to be Louis Vuitton, but sometimes a new pair of shoes can make you feel like you have a new wardrobe.