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Monday May 12,2008

Nutrition and Bereavement

by Carolyn Katzin

Food stands for so much more than calories, vitamins and other nutrients. Food represents caring, love, attention and support. The act of cooking and caring for oneself may seem almost sacrilegious if you are grieving. You may think to yourself Awhat is the point?@ You may not care if you eat or not. In the short term this may not be important but if it goes on for more than a few days at a time, then you should seek help from a nutritionist.

Holidays are especially challenging when you face them for the first time without a loved one. Perhaps you have been invited to join family or friends for the festive meal but most holidays stretch over a weekend or longer. During this time most businesses are closed and there are few people about. Without the hustle and bustle of everyday life your loss may seem even more poignant.

In my private practice I see many people who benefit from a meal plan structure to guide them through shopping for food as well as its preparation. I suggest making out a simple week long menu for the holiday period including a food shopping list. This would look something like this:

Monday

Breakfast: Oatmeal with dried cranberries & Tea with milk

Mid morning snack: Fruit yogurt

Lunch: Chicken salad, Whole wheat crackers, Iced tea

Afternoon snack: Almond cookie

Dinner: Mixed bean and vegetable soup, Fruit compote

Shopping List:

Non fat milk, fruit yogurt, chicken breast, salad vegetables (perhaps a pre-washed bag), almond cookies, soup ingredients (or a can of healthy low sodium minestrone), dried fruit.

You would vary your menus but by writing them out and posting them in your kitchen you will feel more secure and cared for.

Stress can take a toll on your digestion so I would recommend choosing foods that you enjoy and that are easy to assimilate. Soups, cooked starches such as pasta, baked potato and rice and plain baked goods are examples of easily digested foods. You may wish to choose a favorite food that reminds you of happier times. Comfort foods are just that and when eaten in small quantities on special occasions they warm the heart.

Ask yourself these few questions:

1) Am I eating breakfast regularly?

2) Am I skipping meals more often?

3) Is my refrigerator almost empty?

4) Am I eating Aempty calories@ more often?

5) Am I taking my supplements and medication regularly? (If applicable)

6) Am I sleeping at least seven hours a night?

7) Am I getting outside every day?

8) Have I spoken to at least one friend or family member in the past twenty four hours?

9) Am I avoiding shopping for food?

10) Am I overeating (or undereating)?

If you answer Yes to more than two of these questions you may benefit from visiting a health professional who can assist you in your nutrition needs.

For more information visit her website at www.carolynkatzin.com.

Author of The Cancer Nutrition Center Handbook.