There is an edit feature now, you could go and edit the post. I think low calorie pizza is an oxymoron. Just eat less. I refuse to eat foods packaged as fat free or low fat unless it is simply naturally fat free or low fat. Most prepared foods that are fat free and low fat have things added that are worse for you than the regular full fat is in the first place. Also, if trying to lose weight, low carb is MUCH more important than the fat grams. So really pizza is not a food you should really be eating if you want to lose weight. But if you insist on eating pizza then make a homemade pizza with whole wheat crust, a sauce and a sprinkling of mozz cheese. I personally eat all the cheese and meat my heart desires and never gain any weight. I stay very active, but I prefer to eat low carb to maintain a trim body. I have found that carbs are the root of obesity and NOT fat grams.

I have been getting Meals on Wheels for almost 4 months now, since my last hospital stay, and it looks like it will be an indefinite arrangement because my illness is long-term. When I first realised I had to rely on MOW, I had awful visions of Pig-swill. I suppose it does depend on where you live. However, I'm perfectly happy with the meals, actually, have no complaints at all (except they keep putting in turnip and pumpkin which I've requested they don't - sometimes they just forget!). Just the sorts of things my mother used to make, so think 'good old-fashioned home-cooked'. After all, most MOWs are intended for the elderly, and are prepared by the almost-elderly! I suppose if I did have a complaint to make, it would be the lack of a thick juicy steak or a lamb chop or two to get my teeth into. However, the chicken legs make a good substitute to satisfy the hungry savage! Off the top of my head, meals have included the following: Spaghetti bolognese (usually served with cheese melted/baked on top and a grilled half-tomato). Meat lasagne Vegetarian lasagne Shepherd's Pie Sausages and Onion Gravy (sausages cut into chunks) Sausages in Tomato, Mushroom and Onion Sauce (ditto) Crumbed fish (served with tartare sauce) Crumbed chicken legs (with gravy) Marinated pork strips Meat or chicken pie Chicken mornay Sweet and sour pork (or some other meat) Roast meat and gravy Corned beef with parsley sauce Cubed meat in a sort of mushroom sauce Apricot Chicken and rice Meatloaf (several different kinds) Herbed Rissoles (meat balls) Salmon Patties (with some sort of white sauce - parsley, or chives, or cheese or something added, usually) Curried meat casserole and rice There have been 2 or 3 different casserole-y type things, very delish. It doesn't sound exciting and is definitely not 'gourmet', but really they are very nice indeed, and it's one of the few pleasures left to me to open up the package to see 'what I've got today'. Almost as good as a wrapped gift! It has pleasantly surprised me to find that everything is cooked to perfection - nothing over-done, nothing-underdone. I don't know how they manage it. Now, it's midnight as I type, my memory is a sieve, and I've had many meals, but not too many repeats, so this isn't a comprehensive list by any means. Each meal comes with at least 3, and up to 5 different vegetables per meal. So far I've counted 16 - carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, pattypan squash, swede, pumpkin, beans, peas, corn on the cob, cabbage, asparagus, grilled tomato, potato (mashed, jacket, baked, au gratin), sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, occasionally a medley. Sometimes the carrots or zucchinis are cut into rounds, sometimes into sticks - it all helps with the 'variety'. With each meal, we have a choice of Soup of the Day or a side-salad. I'm not a soupy person, so I have the salad, and pad it out with something else for dinner later. These vary enormously, too. I've had coleslaw, pasta salad, potato salad, rice salad, always with 'something else' like tomato and lettuce. Additions may be sliced gherkins, corn niblets, tomato chunks or slices, lettuce (sometimes shredded), asparagus, pineapple pieces, grated or cubed cheese, grapes, cucumber, grated carrot or zucchini, boiled egg, beetroot, peas, celery etc. It's different every day. No dressing because that would mean soggy salad. Desserts are the real old-fashioned delights like bread and butter pudding, baked rice pudding, apricot (or peach or apple or almond or berry or cherry) sponge (cake) with custard, meringue and fruit with cream, chocolate or butterscotch self-saucing pudding with cream, a sort of blancmange thing with a scoop of cherry something on top, rice with prunes or other fruit, a vanilla slice or some other slice (which you'd call a bar cookie), fruited jellies and cream, apple pie, fruit salads, fruit crumbles and custard, trifle. The desserts I get may be limited by the fact that I have requested NO raisins, sultanas, currants etc. We also get a small orange juice each day. On Fridays, I get 2 extra meals (frozen) for the weekend. No desserts except for 2 little snack-packs of fruit in juice, and 2 individual serve packets of Milo (a chocolate milk drink base). I think I do pretty well for $aus6 per meal. I get an occasional loaf of bread tossed in when available, too. In my area, around 200 meals are prepared and delivered each day. Speaking as one now dependent on MOW for my survival, I have to say that I admire anyone who volunteers for the service, and that I for one deeply appreciate what you do.

Wow you guys are great. This thread has more responses than any I have had on GW. I thank all for your responses, and will keep all the info. It means more to hear personal experiences and what has worked &/or others tips. He is starting on supplements, but as most of us know they get old real quick. He has lost 70 lbs over the last couple of months. I am not going to save him my desire is to support him as long as possible so he hopefully dies at home with dignity rather than go into an institution. Anyway, I have been around so much cancer the last 6 years I thought I would share my thoughts also. Maybe another poor soul will someday be in the same boat & these posts can benefit them. Lindac: your shake idea is great. He has been eating mainly ice cream for the last couple of months, so adding the extra calories would be great. He has refused chemo, but I agree on the acidic stuff. I have helped another friend with meals and cancer, and the tomato stuff always causes indigestion. Fresh tomatoes seem to be less of a problem. Orange juice is a definite no sometimes apple juice helps. The Mexican food sounds good. I tried making cheese taquitoes (sp) yesterday with fresh tortillas from a tortilleria, but they flopped. I think I need to use the rolled ones. ginger_st_thomas: Great site. It will keep me busy for some time. The Individual Cheese Pies, Macaroni and Cheese, & Creamy Potato Salad will be at the top of the list. I cook by feel, & the recipes give me tips on how to add extra calories. He eats peanut butter, so the snack spread might work. woodie2: I really like your overnight breakfast casserole. I was making a meal for two people with cancer last night. Sometimes helping people with cancer gets tiring, & an easy meal helps the helper. The bacon bread is also a nice finger food, & the rice bake looks nice and different. Potpie: I find your post especially interesting, as my friend also has lung cancer. As I am sure you know, it is a particularly bad cancer, & your fil is lucky to be around. I will try the caramel apple idea. You also make an important point. When cooking for cancer, be prepared to have your dishes tossed out or not eaten as these individuals can be picky &/or too sick to eat certain things. The helper should not get upset about this, & not be offended. It is just part of the role of a helper. Daisyduckworth, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. What you describe your friend experiencing lies further down my friends path. He can eat a little now, but he has been warned his eating will be eventually affected. It is or can be part of living with cancer. Sometimes you work yourself to the bone hoping to see that unique recovery only to see death. You are so very right about letting him decide. Success in helping a person with cancer, in my opinion, is being there for that person in whatever manner possible so they write that last chapter. Your cutting up fruit is a very good tip. Sometimes people with cancer will not eat whole fruit, but having something cut up appeals to them. Lisbet, I think the brand you spoke of is down the street from me. I am going to check it out. It would be a break from the supplements if he likes it. I like the idea that he could take it with decreased renal function, as my friend has that problem. I will check this one with his dietitian, however. Potpie, medicinal marijuana is legal in California, although the state and federal government are always arguing as to whether it is legal. I agree, when living with cancer it is time to break the rules. Lindac again. Daisyduckworth makes a very important point. Sometimes the path is as the doctor predicts sometimes you never know the time the outcome etc. Sometimes the suffering is a long path, sometimes people that should completely go into remission suddenly die; sometimes those that are expected to die beat the odds. I have seen people recover, but I personally do not like the word "cured." It can come back, & I do not want to jinx any good fortune, nor add any more to the wounds of those who have lost loved ones to cancer. Having said all that, here is my very bland egg roll recipe: 2 carrots diced ½ head napa cabbage ½ onion 10 or so mushrooms Vegetarian oyster sauce I used a tad of msg on one batch, but its use is up to the user. I sauté all ingredients in order of cooking time & add them to the dish. I then stuff the egg roll, seal it with cornstarch liquid & fry it. It takes about 45 minutes for a small batch. It is not a sophisticated recipe but it worked. Here are some of the other things I have found to be helpful if that person can eat it. Hard boiled eggs. Easy to prepare, grab & eat. Cabbage dishes are another good idea, as well as sauerkraut. Good for digestion. Cooked popcorn can be less upsetting than microwave popcorn. Broccoli, broccoli, broccoli. Fresh fruits and snacks always available. High fiber cereals and a variety of liquids available for constipation. Oatmeal, if tolerated for a bland meal. Supplemental vitamins and digestive enzymes if possible. These people need all the help they can get. Consider decreasing the meat. If they are losing weight, one may need to break the rules & add more meat. Last tip break the rules now & then. Remember stubbornness can be annoying, but sometimes it provides the fight that can result in more time. Please keep adding your comments and tips if you think of more. Baci

No, I'm not a counter. I was put on a no sodium diet back in 1969. No, that 'no sodium' is not a typo. The doctor actually meant NO sodium! Including the natural sodium found in many foods, like broccoli, celery, etc. The list of things I could not eat was extremely daunting. And I suffered through it, as best as I could, for a number of years. When that doctor retired, I was blessed to find another who was empathetic and much more understanding of human nature and quality of life. He immediately changed 'no' to 'low'. What a difference! Anyhow, 1500 to 2000 mgs per day has been the recommended amount since. But I have never actually 'counted' mgs. I do read labels on any packaged foods I buy very carefully. I don't eat out very often, but when I do, I try to choose dishes I know to be low sodium. I also try to be extra careful the day before and the day after I eat out, to help balance out the splurge. I don't add any salt to anything I cook. And add only what is absolutely necessary to whatever I bake. This method has worked very well for me for a number of decades now. And I hope it always will! I'm afraid I'd be a miserable failure if I ever had to actually count mgs! Rusty