Cookbook launched in Limerick for cancer patients is 'awfully important'

A cookbook for cancer patients has been launched in Limerick. 

Nourish has a range of recipes that are nutritious and offers those going through treatment a chance to make healthy diet choices, something of utmost importance as explained by Dr Lorraine Walsh, Consultant in Radiation Oncology with Mater Private. 

“It is key. It is one of the main factors that we focus on when patients are undergoing treatment for their cancer particularly patients who are undergoing treatment to the head and neck area or to the upper digestive tract,” she said. 

Nestled in Hook & Ladder on Sarsfields Street, Doctor Lorraine, who treats a wide range of cancers using megavoltage x-rays, told the Limerick Leader how patients often have mechanical issues with eating and swallowing as a result of treatment and how a nourishing diet is paramount. 

“As a result of that (treatment) a lot of our patients are malnourished when they come to us initially and they are at risk of even additional malnourishment then when they're undergoing their treatment. So you need muscle bulk, you need calorie intake in order to fight the side effects of the treatment.

Pontoon set to dock on Limerick river

“And we know that patients who are properly nourished do better and are more likely to have a good outcome from their treatment if they've managed to complete it without any excessive weight loss,” she added. 

Also in attendance was Senior Dietitian in Radiation Oncology, Niamh Corkery, who put the cookbook together using her own recipes, those of patients and staff within the hospital and she added that: “It's been a labour of love and just so happy today to be able to bring it into fruition with some past patients”.

While patient care and diet is at the forefront, this book is also an opportunity for family and friends to get involved. 

“It's beneficial also for family members and friends and carers just to be able to provide some support because often people can feel helpless and they just want to be able to provide some form of support for their loved ones who are undergoing treatment,” she explained. 

Attendees were treated to some of the recipes available in the book including french toast with fresh fruit but also Dans Apple Cake, a recipe provided by former patient, Denis O’Grady.

The Newcastle West man said that diet and cooking was “awfully important” during his treatment and recovery and he continues to cook and bake adding that Niamh was a great source of help to him.

Having completed his treatment he added that: “I'm great. Brilliant”.

The Nourish cookbook is free to download from materprivate.ie.