Doctors always advise people diagnosed or recovering from cancer to have more frequent but smaller meals. In many types of cancer, they are also advised to avoid animal protein, until their condition improves. Many turn vegetarian or vegan after a cancer diagnosis in the hope of preventing a return of cancer.

It is always better for the change in diet to come from the patient and not be forced on them. However, there is a general belief that the meal and snack options for vegetarians are limited. Here is a list of snacks that are vegetarian and easy to make with locally available and “in season” produce.

Vegetable sticks
There are many ways of how vegetables can be used as snacks. If your doctor has advised you to stay away from raw food, or if you have diarrhea, then you can skip this option. Vegetable sticks of cucumber, celery, carrot, steamed broccoli, and cauliflower can all be healthy snacks.

Salads
Salads combining vegetables, fruits, nuts, cheese, or tofu combined with homemade salad dressings are one of the healthiest vegetarian snack options. Combine two or more of the following vegetables – any type of lettuce, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, celery, cucumber, bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, and broccoli. You can add toasted almonds and walnuts, bits of feta cheese or tofu. Fruits too can add much-needed flavor and nutrition to salads. Pomegranate, pineapple, cherries, bits of oranges, apples.

Soups
One snack can be a fluid. It can not only keep you hydrated but also take away some monotony of cooking solid snacks. You can make soups in larger batches and freeze them. Smoothies can be made from vegetables and fruits with dairy or plant-based alternatives to supply the required nutrition for your body as you recover. They are not only filling and help you feel satiated. Soups made with pumpkin, mushroom, lentil, carrots, beetroot, mixed vegetables, and spinach are all nutritious options. Add in some toasted bread, boiled pasta, or noodles to make the soup interesting as well as tasty.

Hummus
Lentils and beans are high on proteins and can be used in many ways to supply the required protein for cancer patients. They need protein to fight against infection and recover quickly. Hummus is more often made from chickpea. However, other beans like black bean, white bean, green peas, yellow lentils, and soybean can be used to make hummus. They can be used as dips for chips and vegetable sticks or added to salads for flavors.

Yogurt and smoothies
Yogurt topped with fruit or nuts can be had in between meals or before bed. You can also whip up smoothies with fruits and vegetables that have been recommended by your medical care team. Like soups, smoothies too can supply instant calories to beat fatigue and help you with nourishment when you are going through the loss of appetite or mouth sores. It can also help if you have dry mouth. Smoothies are easy to make at home without any synthetic additives or flavoring agents. Kale, spinach, cucumber, beetroot, cherries, berries, mango, and any seasonal fruit are ideal for making smoothies. You can add nuts and seeds for additional benefits.