Serves: 5

If you've recently learned that you--or a loved one--has cancer, you may wonder how you, your friends and family can possibly cope. Living with cancer and its treatment can be compared to a roller coaster ride: from day to day, you never know what to expect the ups, downs and side curves are unknowns. Not knowing the outcome is also very scary.

UNDERSTANDABLY, YOU ARE EXPERIENCING many thoughts, emotions and feelings that are overwhelming. It's normal to feel a lack of control over your life. Take the time you need to accept your or your loved one's diagnosis. Talk to your doctor, dietitian, nurse, counselor, member of the clergy, family and friends. Seek out information to learn everything you can about the disease, treatment and side effects, and learn what you can do for yourself.

As different as each person's DNA, cancer affects people in different ways. Your--or your loved one's--experience with cancer is an individual challenge, a personal roller coaster ride. As you are presented with options, you must decide what is right for you. The plan that's effective for one individual may not work well for another. And rather than follow a road map that may have been developed for someone else, it's best to create your own plan. Trial and error, your own energy level and listening to your body are the best guides to determine what works for you. If you are supporting someone during this time, try to help by gathering information, or taking notes when you meet with doctors, providing child care during medical visits, and discussing possible options for treatment.

In this section, the focus is on the nutritional needs of individuals with cancer and ways to help you meet these needs. Information on eating out, grocery shopping and special diets is also included. In addition to discussing a traditional medical perspective, some of the alternative, or complementary, therapies are also included.

In Coping with Side Effects, you'll find a helpful Coping with Side Effects guide that includes expert medical advice on ten common side effects, a recipe to help each particular side effect and a list of the top recipes in the book that are helpful for the four most bothersome side effects. Following that are seven chapters of recipes to use in planning your meals and mini-meals, including foods that your whole family can help you prepare and enjoy, or that you can prepare to help your loved one with cancer.

Though primarily written for the newly diagnosed cancer patient, this cookbook is also for families and friends and those survivors who remain in treatment for an extended period of time. Because the needs of each cancer patient are unique, we invite you to use this cookbook as a guide. You may adopt the information and recipes that meet your needs and skim over the remainder. We hope this book will bring back the joy of eating for you and those you love.

From "Betty Crocker's Living with Cancer Cookbook." Text Copyright 2005 General Mills, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

More Recipes from the Betty Crocker's Living With Cancer Cookbook Cookbook:
01-Having A Diagnosis Of Cancer
02-Bring Back the Joy of Eating
03-Be Prepared for a Roller Coaster Ride Coaster Ride
04-So What Is Cancer All About, Anyway?
05-Take Control of Your Life
06-Eat Well and Enjoy Food
07-The Importance of Sound Nutrition
08-Enjoy Cooking, Shopping and Eating
09-Special Diets
10-Foods for Special Diets
11-Mind-Body-Spirit Connection to Healing
12-Beyond Treatment
13-The ABCs for a Healthy Lifestyle
14-Onward and Upward
A-Key to Common Side Effects
B-Foods Rich in Essential Nutrients
C-Food Guide Pyramid
D-Radiation (Radiotherapy) Remedies