Spending quality time with loved ones often centers around food and special meals, and Valentine’s Day is a time for treating those closest to us and celebrating love. So how do you create special treats for those who are going through cancer treatment?

“As a registered dietitian, I always recommend people take a balanced approach to living a healthy lifestyle, including the importance of getting the right nutrients, avoiding extremes, and making room for occasional indulgences that increase joy,” said Syeda Farid, MS, RD, LDN, registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition at Endeavor Health.

Farid encourages people to keep it simple with homemade meals and desserts and not to fall prey to misconceptions that demonize all sugar. She points to established guidelines that recommend limiting adding sugars to less than 10% of your caloric intake.

“Staying sickness-free isn’t about deprivation or chasing the latest wellness trend. It’s about practical, research-backed strategies that fit your life while giving your body the tools it needs to thrive,” said Farid.

Following some specific, actionable steps will help give people undergoing cancer treatment and survivors a feeling of empowerment, she said.

First, more fiber to support healing and energy. Research shows that increasing consumption of fiber-rich foods including beans, nuts and leafy vegetables can have a variety of health benefits, and less than 10% of Americans consume the recommended amount of fiber, said Farid.

Also, prioritize hydration, said Farid. Keep a beautiful glass container filled with fruits and/or vegetable infused water. Adding lemon slices, basil or mint leaves, watermelon, cantaloupe or cucumber slices to water provides a great alternative to alcoholic or carbonated beverages.

Farid likes these high protein fruit and nut bars as a tasty and attractive treat that you can easily put together for your Valentine.

High protein fruit and nut bars

Ingredients:
2 cups chopped mixed nuts of your choice (almonds, hazelnut, walnut, Brazil nut, macadamias, pecans)
1 cup dried fruits of your choice bite size (dates, apricots, raisins, cranberries)
1/3 cup honey or date syrup or beet or brown sugar (whatever you prefer)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp beet juice for bright red color (great for Valentine’s Day)
1 pinch of salt

Preparation:

  • Line baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Mix ingredients in a bowl, except for the honey or date or beet syrup.
  • Gently pour warm honey or syrup or beet sugar and stir nuts mixture to coat evenly.
  • Transfer mixture to prepared pan, press firmly into an even layer.
  • Chill for 1-2 hours, cut into bars or squares.

Farid shares this milkshake recipe with her patients and their family members.

Banana nut butter milkshake

Ingredients:
2 medium ripe bananas
¼ tsp crushed white cardamom (optional)
2 tbsp mixed nut butter (cashews, almonds, peanut or hazelnut)
½ tsp flaxseed powder 
½ tsp chia seed powder
2 small, moist dates 
2 cups of coconut milk or any dairy free, plant-based milk of your choice
1 cup of ice cubes

Preparation:

  • Mix and blenderize all ingredients until smooth and creamy.
  • Chill before serving.