Turn around stir fries, every now and then I feel a part (of a mango)

[FrannyandZooey]

For anyone who wants a boost to their general health. The suggested goals are:

EAT 10 PORTIONS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES EVERY DAY - if you don't usually eat much fruit and veg I would build up gradually or you could upset your digestion.

DO (AT LEAST) 10 MINUTES OF EXERCISE EVERY DAY - can be yoga, stretching or something more energetic. The plan is that the idea of doing 10 minutes is not too daunting, and having started you may well find you want to do more.

There are no restrictions on what you eat so long as you get your 10 fruit and veg as well. The focus is not on weight loss but on improving our energy levels and hopefully our general mood and well-being. Sign up below and post here to tell us how you're getting on and how you are feeling.

Basic guidance on what constitutes a portion of fruit and veg here and you can download more detailed information by following the link at the very bottom of the page

How about different kinds of fish, anorak?

I'm trying to remember what my Dad ate when he had chemo but I'm not sure. I know he tried to eat lots of red meat (which was hard for him because he rarely eats it usually) - he needed a lot of protein so had eggs quite a bit and protein shakes. I don't remember much, I'm afraid.

Would seaweed be useful? I know it is v. v. nutritious.

Right you lot. I have a bone to pick with you. I am fed up of having ludicrously catchy songs with the wrong lyrics buzzing round my head all day and night.

No doubt you're doped up on quinoa sleeping sweetly at 3am, but those of us who have eaten the best part of a packet of chocolate digestives before bedtime are tormented by ill-fitting lyrics. "Of a mango" FFS...it doesn't scan, not even if you try really hard.

Sorry Anorak, for drowning you out with smut.

I can't think of anything really useful to add, other than rest and chocolate - nice treats must help a little? I really hope it doesn't last too long.

DO any of you make veggie burgers? If so, how? Maybe I should do a separate thread...

AdamAnt, I'd be careful if I were you, Greeny may brandish her veiny cock at you

Yesterday this title was called DERANGED and DESPERATE, and now this... this attack by AdamAnt!
It doesnt scan, it doesn't need to scan, it's ruddy burilliant!

And, actually, I have never tasted quinoa, and the smutty vegger say it's like spunk anyway.

anorak I havre a fab book downstairs called the optimum nutrition bible - hang on and i'll go and see if it has anything useful for you...

Yeah I bet you've never tasted quinoa. Too busy rolling into big fat spliffs no doubt. Are you sure don;t mean skunk?

pmsl

Anorak, I seem to remember my Dad having problems with B12 too - he ate lots of marmite (although couldn't have it at times because it hurt his mouth too much)

anorak - I have a book called 'Healing Foods' (gift from MIL who clearly thinks I'm poisoning DH). It has a section for 'Blood Disorders' and suggests:

liver
kidney
oily fish
pulses
dried apricots
blackcurrants
pumpkin seeds
fortified brekkie cereals
green leafy vegetables
wheatgerm
parley

These are for iron and folate (which are good for red blood cells.

For the immune system (GCSE biology says this is summat to do with white blood cells) it suggests:

shellfish
chicken liver
oily fish
wheatgerm
high antioxidant veg and fruit e.g. oranges, carrots, sweet potatoes
Unrefined grains and cereals
yoghurt
sunflower seeds
seaweed
garlic
cranberries
onion
chilli
honey
blueberries
blackcurrants

ok, I can't seem to find anything to boost white cell count but for red cell count:
Red meat/liver
Nuts/sunflower seeds
Tofu
Leafy green vegetables
Very dark chocolate
Eggs
Figs and other dried fruit
Sardines, pilchards and whitebait
Kick start each day's iron intake by having a bowl of fortified cereal for breakfast. Also, orange juice or side salad with your meals - these contain lots of vitamin C which increases iron absorption.

As far as white cells go, you need to take sensible precautions against infections - ie wash hands lots, rest lots, avoid contact with poorly people (coughs/colds sore throats etc), avoid shellfish, make sure food is cooked thoroughly etc

Peppermint tea is good for nausea (and it's also good for you to drink plenty of water)

disclaimer: Quinoa doesn't taste like spunk (well, not IME...) but it does have that look.

I am eating fish or meat every day now when I can stomach it (sometimes I just can't), mixed nuts every day, fruit and veg, glass of juice every morning. Had eggs on sprouted grain bread for lunch. And I take a vitamin and minerals with added iron every day, and folic acid, and a herb supplement for immune system boost.

And it's not enough, I feel knackered all the time.

sadly, I think that's a cert with chemo/radio

But it is also giving your body strength to recover and fight!

Thank you Adam and FMV, have copied out those list.

I do include a lot of those things already but there are a few things I could add in, wheatgerm for instance and honey.

Also have two big parsley plants in my little patch so will use that more often.

Yes, FMV is right. Are you able to just lie down and rest if you're really knackered?

You're not on steroids yet are you? Am I right in thinking you'll be on them during the second half of your treatment? You might recoup a bit of vavavoom then. Sounds like you're already eating really well!

Anorak can you get Floradix?

Adam my lovely, who were you before?

oh dear poor Anorak getting lost in the spurting tide of cock filth

I didn't have any answers so am glad others are coming up with things. Obviously you need to eat red meat if that is really best thing for it? [dubious] I would ask my glowing health woman but she is away this month. Are white blood cells to do with your immune system? Would the Kiki superfoods help? [Kiki pusher]

AdamAnt we won't throw you in The Pit as you were helpful to Anorak, but you simply haven't understood the genius of this title. The mango bit is not strictly speaking part of the song, it could have been expressed by an ellipsis (it could in fact have been an invisible mango) but we have chosen to spell it out for the uninitiated. I do indeed every now and then feel a part of a mango, as we all do, so this is a topic close to our hearts. We don't take kindly to having these things mocked (and sorry about the homeopathy thing I just saw it as a blatant opportunity to be rude and I am sorry)

TooT I have been missing you again

Miss! Miss! I know, I know who Adam was!

Today I have eaten

two pieces of toast with peanut butter
two choc digestives
spaghetti with sundried tomato sauce (not home made)
a vegetarian 'pepperami' thing
a choc/caramel slice
a mini cupcake with a smartie on top (orange)
mini-cupcake icing discarded by DS
Three Opal Fruits (strawberry mix variety)
Chick pea curry and rice
half a choc/caramel slice

"a vegetarian 'pepperami' thing"

BTW thread title is very apt for tonight, isn;t it?

AdamAnt what the fuck sort of food is that? How are you alive? [reeling at list of cakes]
oh actually there is food in there, isn't there? You just hid it well