The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen

Starred review from August 24, 2009
Cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can be almost as hard on the body as the disease itself, and detailed nutrition advice is usually not on the program. This informative guide to fighting cancer from the inside out, from the senior chief at Marin County's Commonweal Cancer Help Program, corrects that with a wealth of easy, immediate steps to speed up the healing process through diet. The duo offer advice on treatment prep as well as solutions to common side effects like dehydration, fatigue and nausea. Caregivers should scour the first third, which describes in detail the treatment process, and includes an alphabetical list of cancer-fighting ingredients like blueberries, chocolate, honey and salmon, a reference for the 150 recipes that follow. Recipes for soups, broths and simple, satisfying dishes like Chicken and Rice are welcome, but the text is most helpful for an array of quick, nutritious snacks, like nutrient-rich granola bars or a cooling Cantaloupe Granita with Mint (especially useful for cravings, which are also addressed). Katz's experience with cancer patients and their long, often frustrating recovery lends authority to her wise, common-sense approach, suitable for cooks of all skill levels.

August 15, 2009
Cancer treatments are infamous for destroying appetites, which inhibits patients from fighting their diseases and maintaining control and quality in their lives. Katz (senior chef, Commonweal Cancer Help Program) draws on her experience with and feedback from patients and cancer professionals to explain how foods can be used to battle cancer. She recommends whole organic foods rather than heavily processed products, detailing herbs, spices, and foods that can lessen specific side effects. The explanations of how to modify recipes to accommodate altered tastes are excellent. A questionnaire of food preferences helps caregivers and patients find best personal choices, and strategies for coping and thriving during treatment are described. With more than 150 easy recipes, including substitutions and ways to tailor flavors, plus resources for specialty ingredients, nutrition information, and recommended reading.

Besser's offering is less comprehensive, as it is intended as a companion to the forthcoming "American Cancer Society Complete Guide to Nutrition for Cancer Patients" (October 2009). Six chapters provide recipes for specific symptoms (e.g., nausea, sore mouth). Recipes use common ingredients and are designed for quick and simple preparation. A "Survival Toolkit" provides suggestions for foods that should be kept readily available to meet frequently changing needs and desires quickly. Advice for caregivers includes tips for symptom management and food safety. VERDICT Both books provide valuable information in readable formats. The recipes in Katz's "Cancer-Fighting Kitchen" require more time and more exotic ingredients, but cancer patients and caregivers will appreciate its greater depth.Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans' Hosp. Lib., Tampa, FL

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.