Take a moment to consider what being loved and eating well means to a child living with cancer or a child who provides primary care to an ill parent, sibling as well as themselves. Pretty obvious we hear you thinking? Well, unfortunately we discovered the ‘eating well’ part can sometimes get overlooked, seem too hard, or it becomes a contentious issue. That is why we have been working with CanTeen (www.canteen.org.au) and Young Carers (www.youngcarers.org.au) to develop food education activities and resources.

If you are a young person looking after someone who is ill, the following ideas may help:

• The smell of food can sometimes make an ill person feel worse making eating difficult, so try serving/cooking food outside or place a fan behind the table so the smells are blown away.
• Some drugs and chemotherapies can make food taste metallic so serve dishes with plastic utensils, chop-sticks or porcelain spoons.
• Getting enough protein is very important when you are ill (from nuts, legumes, eggs, fish meats and dairy products), but sometimes protein can be difficult to digest. Raw pineapple and papaya contain enzymes which help the body digest meat so try them in a marinade or sauce. Protein powder can be sprinkled on or added to most foods.
• Fresh vegetables and fruits can be easier to consume as juices but note some juice can aggravate mouth ulcers. Drinking with a straw or adding Aloe Vera juice might help.
• Consommés (clarified stock), broths and soups made with fresh organic ingredients can provide plenty of nutrition and are easy to eat. Make lots and freeze for later use.
• Eating favourite foods when you are sick or nauseous can sometimes turn you off them so serve special dishes when your loved one feels better.
• Hospital food can be a bit awful so prepare some special meals that can be reheated in a microwave or eaten cold.
• Reserve one ‘cooking’ day a week to make big batches of family food that can be frozen then reheated (or added to lunch boxes) without too much effort.
• Small meals on a nice plate in a lovely setting can be less intimidating than a huge plate piled high.
• Eating with friends and family can be made more enjoyable by making some meals a ‘special occasion’.
• Take the time to relax, eat well and look after yourself and always ask for help – even before you need it!