Serves: 5

At times, you may not feel up to eating a full meal and instead may find that eating more often throughout the day is better. If a regular-sized meal is too much for you, try eating mini-meals or snacks instead of large meals. For good snack choices, check out the list below:

Fresh fruits and vegetables provide many needed nutrients. Keep baby carrots, celery sticks, fresh or frozen grapes, bananas and apples on hand.

String cheese, cheese chunks and cottage cheese, eaten with or without fresh fruit, provide much-needed calcium.

Graham and saltine crackers are easy to digest and are low in residue. Eat them plain, or spread them with peanut butter, cheese or jam.

Cereal with or without milk contains many nutrients from fortification. Cereal is very convenient to snack on right from the box or to add to salted peanuts or pretzels, as well as to eat with milk.

Nuts, snack mixes, popcorn and granola bars work well for those not needing to follow a low-residue diet. Quick energy and convenience are key to these tasty snacks.

Canned and dried fruits. Mandarin oranges, applesauce, dried plums or apricots and dates are great snacks on their own, or team them up with nuts, popcorn or cheese crackers.

Small sandwiches, such as grilled cheese or turkey, cut into fourths, work well as mini-meals. Eat one piece now, then if you're up to it, eat another otherwise save the rest for later.

Soup and crackers. For convenience, use canned soup and serve yourself a small bowl. Miniature crackers, such as oyster crackers or fish-shaped cheese crackers, may not seem as overwhelming as larger crackers, so start with them first.

Shakes and smoothies containing milk or yogurt can be a source of extra calcium and other important nutrients. Because no chewing is required, beverages are particularly soothing if you have mouth sores.

Make the most of leftovers. Reheat mashed potatoes, pizza or pasta. Turn yesterday's salad into a filling for sandwiches. For flavor boosters, see "20-Minute Main Dishes" Chapter.

Something sweet. Small cookies or cakes may provide necessary carbohydrates to boost your energy in a pinch, but save room for more sustaining foods, too.

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:
Chai Tea
Chicken Salad in Pitas
Citrus-Peach Smoothie
Creamy Caramel Dip with Fruit
Easy Chicken Nuggets
Easy Salmon Spread
Fresh Salsa
Hot Turkey Sandwiches
Mozzarella and Tomatoes
Onion and Rosemary Focaccia Wedges
Orange-Pineapple Smoothie
Oven-Fried Potato Wedges
Philly Beef Sandwiches
Quick Quesadillas
Roasted Vegetable Dip
SNACK BUSTERS
Snappy Stuffed Tomatoes
Spinach Dip in Bread Bowl
String Cheese Sticks
Sugar 'n Spice Green Tea
Super Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Tomato Bruschetta
Veggies and Cheese Mini-Pizzas
Watermelon-Kiwi-Banana Smoothie
Zucchini Bites