<p>A frittata (quiche with no crust, or baked omelet) would be low-carb, easy to make, and tasty at room temperature so they don’t need to heat it up. Just saute the filling in an oven-proof pan, add cheese, pour the eggs over it and bake.</p>
<p>Bacon, onions, and peas is a good comfort-food combination. Spinach and feta, or broccoli and cheddar, are also crowd pleasers.</p>
<p>How about a turkey breast? Just throw it in the crockpot. You friend can have it for dinner one night and use the leftovers for turkey sandwiches. Instead of regular baked potatoes, try baked sweet potatoes for a side dish, just bake them in the oven (skin and all) like reg. potatoes…just as easy but different and more yummy.</p>
<p>London broil & pork tenderloins are super easy in the crock pot, too. Brush either generously with mustand & fat-free italian dressing, sprinkle with pepper. No liquid is necessary. Cook all day (or all night). Both cuts of meat will fall apart just like pot roast. Add salad, bread, & dessert (store bought angel food, vanilla yogust & berries?) Simple AND yummy.</p>
<p>Leftovers make really good sandwiches for later, too.</p>
<p>When I had surgery several years ago a friend gave us homemade lentil soup, the traditional recipe with bacon- I tolerate lentil soup and wasn’t in the mood for it postop ans H doesn’t do bacon (the fat, not religion) so it ended up wasted. I therefore understand asking what to give. Also- carbs and diabetes can be bad so the idea of something with proteins and fat is good. Lucky lady- both a friend and I have husbands who were kind enough to make themselves breakfast the morning after our respective postop returns home, the thought of making us something didn’t enter their brains. My repetoire is mostly vegetarian, chicken and fish (NOT my mother’s horrible tuna casserole, either). A meal with prepared instant or boxed foods may be enjoyed as even preparing those takes time and energy. Preparing taco/burrito fixings- spiced ground beef, chopped tomatoes, onions, cheese, salsa, lettuce along with Zatarain’s Spanish rice and refried beans (canned, heated), taco shells/soft tortillas- would save her a lot of time and give options for how much of each food each family member takes. Or instant cheesy mashed potatoes (they don’t have a leftover taste as many potatoes do) plus a prepared/spiced mixed or favorite vegetable and a meat.</p>
<p>I’m throwing my vote in with the check-with-her faction. A good friend is currently undergoing chemo for ovarian cancer and her tastes have changed. Some things she used to love she really wants no part of, and she’s developed a liking for foods she never ate before. </p>
<p>And I wouldn’t feel pressured to do anything from scratch if that’s not your thing. Nothing beats a Stouffer’s frozen lasagne.</p>
<p>Two years ago I cooked for two girlfriends with cancer and their families. I tried to make enough to last for at least two meals. In one instance, there were five of us cooking for one GFon a rotating basis; we coordinated timing and specific foods with one another. If my GFs did not feel like solids, I tried to include something for them – different homemade soups, homemade applesauce. I tried to make entrees that would be easy and tasty reheated – chicken with various sauces, nut crusted fish, eggplant parmigiana, spaghetti “soup”. I also included seasonal items – berries in season, corn on the cob, etc. One GF has diabetes so in that case I needed to lighten up the amount of carbs/pasta and made sure there was no added sugar; check the labels on marinara/tomato sauces since they often contain sugar.</p>
<p>Whole wheat pasta is fine for diabetics. Baked potatoes, bad…</p>
<p>A super easy stew in a crock pot:</p>
<p>1# stew meat, brown in the pot in it’s own juice
add 1 chopped onion
add some chopped celery
add 2 cans tomato soup & 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
add 1+ cans of water, keep it thick</p>
<p>cook all day on low
in the last hour add a package of frozen veggies, a packet of lipton onion soup, and water if needed- different veggies put out more or less water, so go light on the water at the beginnning</p>
<p>That is all there is to it, though you can add other fun things- zucc, barley, etc</p>
<p>Just wanted to say that I feel for you. Last year, one of the dance team moms had heart surgery - TWICE - and we did two rounds of meals. It was traumatic for me to try to come up with something good twice. What I found is that that particular mom wanted the company more than anything else. Then the dance team director got breast cancer and we did meals…more trauma for me, esp. since we were told to bring small portions and I brought enough for 4 and then found that her house was full of people. I confess that I didn’t sign up for the next round of meals. (The spots were snatched up very quickly.) I so wish I was a better/more frequent cook.</p>
<p>I know this will sound weird, but when I took food over to a friend. She was in really bad shape with chemo and I told her to lie down and I massaged her feet. It was the only place that didn’t hurt her. She said it was the best thing that ever…</p>
<p>I’m going to go with ask so it’s not wasted. If I’m to be honest, I wouldn’t eat what many here have suggested. We don’t eat much processed food or frozen and canned. When I cook for those I don’t know well I’ll do a basic roast chicken or simple tomato based pasta, salad and a fruit based dessert, things almost all like. And my diabetic daughter eats pasta and baked potatoes as she’s a type 1 diabetic and just takes more insulin. Unless home cooking is prized, I’m more likely to give a restaurant gift certifcate from somewhere good that delivers so they can order what they like.</p>
<p>Maybe it’s wacky NY, but many now only eat organic including meat and fish.</p>
<p>On the front of diabetes it is very hard to generalize. It is very different between person to person and really depends on if they are type I or type II. If they are type II low carb might be more important but if they are type I it is much more of a individual thing. I really wouldn’t worry about it too much. Unless they told you something specific just think about basic good healthy food and you well be fine. Although I have to say that as a type I potatoes send my blood sager into havoc but that doesn’t mean I don’t eat them or that that is true for most people. I remember when my family got meals after my dad died, I was appreciative of whatever people gave us. It was all sorts of things and it was the fact that someone cared and gave us something that their family enjoyed was all that mattered. It really helped and I am glad that so many people are willing to help people like this.</p>
<p>I like salmon. I bake it for 22 min. on 400. I do not like to add anything to it. This is fast. The best salmon that I know is at Costco. Since fillet is usually huge, you can leave some for your own family. There is a lot of staff at Costco that is much better quality and cheaper than other places, including your favorite chicken. They have awesome whole grain bread - 2 little loaves, again you can share. Maybe Costco should pay me for advertisement? - I love this store. I do not like frozen, ready dinners…etc. either.</p>
<p>Ask before bringing fish. No one in my house would eat salmon.
The problem I always find is that dishes that lend themselves to be made ahead and eaten later are usually heavy on carbs or fats. Like pasta dishes and cheese based dishes.
Some things I have made- chicken enchiladas/red or green. Serve with rice, salad and salsa and chips and refried beans. Chicken parmesan. Soup.
I like to bring fresh fruit already cut up.
I also have picked up burritos from a local place. A few chicken, beef and a couple with grilled vegetables. Wrapped in foil they stay hot. Plus can easily be reheated. OR I make my own by grilling a tri tip or roasting a few chicken breasts, Cut up the chicken or tri tip and use black or pinto beans that you have warmed and rice. You can also add cheese. Deliver along with some guac and chips and a salad.
My friend will often ask the children what is the favorite thing that she makes and she will bring that over. She did that for me when I had surgery several yrs back. She made my D’s favorite homemade mac and cheese. It was something I never made. It has since been added to our recipes for special occasions for this child.
Or sometimes the family is showered in healthy homecooked meals and would love to just have a pizza and salad from a favorite pizza place.</p>