A nutritious diet is very important in treating cancer’s symptoms. As there are many side-effects of this condition, patients are advised a protein rich and high-calorie diet to help them cope with not just the disease but the side-effects of its treatment procedures too. The right diet will help them boost their energy, maintain a healthy weight and gain stamina to fight against cancer. Cancer patients also suffer from low appetite and are advised to eat small portions at regular intervals, so snacking is an important part of their meals.

Following are some beneficial snacks for cancer patients:

Parsley yogurt dip
This high-protein yogurt dip with the goodness of vitamin A and calcium is one of the top beneficial snacks for cancer patients.

Ingredients

• 1 cup low-fat curd
• 1 tbsp. each finely chopped parsley and spring onion greens
• 1 tsp. chopped garlic
• Salt as per taste

Method

• Hang the curd in a muslin cloth for 20 minutes so that the water is drained out and the texture of the curd is thick.
• In a bowl, mix the hung curd with the rest of the ingredients and refrigerate it and use it as required.

Nutty chicken satay strips
These healthy, protein-rich chicken strips are a great choice for snack time.

Ingredients

• 2 pieces of chicken breasts cut into thin strips (skinless)
• 2 tsp. lime juice
• 2 tbsp. peanut butter
• 1 garlic cloves grated
• ½ tsp. soya sauce
• 1 tsp. curry powder
• Salt to taste

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180°F and line the baking tray with a baking paper.
• In a bowl, mix all the ingredients and make a batter to get a coating consistency. Add lukewarm water to adjust if required.
• Dip the chicken strips in the batter and once they’re evenly coated, place them on the baking tray and cook for 8-10 minutes or until done. Serve hot.

Basil and olive eggs
Easy to make and a great source of protein, these basil and olive eggs are among the top beneficial snacks for cancer patients.

Ingredients

• 3 boiled eggs
• ½ tsp. freshly chopped basil
• 6 Kalamata olives cut into halves
• 1tbsp. extra virgin rapeseed oil
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

Method

• Peel the boiled eggs, cut them into halves and scoop out the yellow from them.
• In a bowl, add all the ingredients including the yellow of the eggs. Mash them roughly and mix well.
• Stuff this mixture into the egg whites and serve.

Healthy tuna lettuce wraps
This is another protein-packed snack which is ideal for those who love fish.

Ingredients-

• 2 tuna fillets, 140g each
• 1 ripe avocado
• ½ tsp. English mustard powder
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 8 lettuce leaves
• 1 tbsp. capers
• 16 cherry tomatoes halved

Method

• Brush oil on a non-stick pan, and on medium heat, cook the tuna evenly.
• Halve the avocado and scoop out the flesh in a bowl. Add mustard powder and apple cider vinegar and mash the avocado to make a paste. Mix the capers as well.
• Arrange the lettuce leaves on a plate and top it up with cherry tomatoes, mayonnaise spread and tuna and gently roll them to form a wrap.

These beneficial snacks for cancer patients are a great combination of taste and nutrition and can be had by both, children and adults. It is advisable to know of all possible allergies before preparing snacks for anyone.