Main Meals

🍽️ Main Meals (Our Personal Experience)

⚠️ Disclaimer: This information is based on our personal journey and choices. It is shared for educational and storytelling purposes only. Please consult your doctor, dietitian, or care team before making dietary changes, especially during cancer treatment.

Over time, we saw how much nutrition could influence Brad’s energy levels, appetite, and even his bloodwork. We explored many dietary approaches — from ketogenic to vegan, intermittent fasting, and even incorporating aspects of the Gerson Therapy.

One of our biggest shifts was moving toward a high-protein, low-sugar lifestyle. Food became more than fuel — it became a daily act of support, one thing we could control when so much else felt uncertain.

🥗 Meal Basics

• Most meals were cooked with olive oil, and occasionally butter

• We added papaya leaf and turmeric to almost everything — chicken rubs, eggs, veggies, smoothies. The mild flavor blended in easily

• We used a wok for quick stir-fries and steamed or microwaved most vegetables to help retain nutrients

• Boiling was only for soups, where the nutrients stayed in the broth

• Food went back into the fridge promptly to minimize bacterial risk

• We chose organic when possible, to avoid added chemicals while Brad’s body was already working hard

🧠 "Burger Meditation" & Mindful Cravings

Brad’s cravings shifted. Sometimes he’d look at a food, smile, and say, “I can meditate on that burger and it’s just as good.” Occasionally something would still tempt him, but overall his body started craving clean, fresh foods over sugar or processed carbs.

🥩 Protein Swaps & Smart Substitutions

• We reduced red meat to lighten the digestive load, favoring fish and chicken

• For sauces, we used konjac root powder instead of flour or cornstarch — a little went a long way

• For rice, we sautéed riced cauliflower with an egg — lighter than traditional fried rice, with extra protein

• For pasta, we used spiralized squash with the Veggie Bullet for quick prep and easy cleanup

• We grouped nutrients into balanced meals and snacks throughout the day so it didn’t feel like Brad was constantly “downing something” — the flow mattered

🍵 Little Tricks That Made a Big Difference

• Green tea became a daily staple — soothing, comforting, and something Brad enjoyed

• Warm tea before meals helped relax Brad’s esophagus so he could eat more easily

• A blueberry or strawberry before the first bite helped stimulate saliva, making swallowing smoother, especially at the start of a meal

🧊 Fresh vs Frozen

While fresh vegetables were our first choice, we learned that frozen produce is often picked and flash-frozen at peak ripeness, preserving nutrients. Frozen blueberries went straight into smoothies, and pre-cooked frozen veggies saved time and effort.

We also made sure Brad had a daily leaf of fresh basil — the $3 basil plant on the windowsill turned out to be the cheapest and easiest way to keep it on hand.

And when inspiration ran dry, we’d type a few random ingredients into Google and let a recipe find us. Somehow, we never got bored.