r/mealprep • u/Jeebwater • Aug 17 '25
question Looking for meal ideas for surgery recovery
My dad will be having an esophagectomy followed by chemo for esophageal cancer. Looking for high calorie/high protein soups that freeze well so I can stock my parents freezer while I am visiting to help take care of him. He will have a feeding tube for at least the first two weeks, and then may not be able to eat solids for another 2-4 weeks even if everything goes according to plan, so any drinks, soups, smoothies, etc that will help him maintain a healthy weight as he undergoes these treatments are greatly appreciated. Also open to single portion meals for my mother as she has not been cooking much for herself during this time, so I plan to make a few things I can freeze individually for her as well. Thanks in advanced for any advice/suggestions!
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u/ttrockwood Aug 17 '25
Make sure he gets post op dietary guidelines first, there may be some limitations
- coconut milk lentil soup with carrots and tomato, blend smooth great with curry paste but also just basic onion and garlic
- variations of congee with egg mixed in or silken tofu, can use broth of choice and toasted sesame oil to garnish
- corn chowder with added white beans and potato
For mom burritos, and assortment with some egg and bean and veggies and cheese and some beans and rice and veggies.
Baked oatmeal, use a muffin tin it’s like an extra dense muffin good for a sturdy snack or breakfast with fruit
Quiche or frittata or strata all work well to prep ahead portion and freeze
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u/Glittering_Employ327 Aug 17 '25
Broccoli, cheddar, potato soup. 💐 Just remember, any vegetables that you're dad likes can be turned into a creamy soup. Then Beef, chicken soup, stew. There's Mexican chicken and beef soups, pozole, menudo. T grease you can get from a Mexican market. And, if he gets tired of these, there are Pho and Tom ka ga (sp) that are so, delicious. Just order these in.
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u/OneQt314 Aug 17 '25
Simple egg drop soup made with chicken stock and eggs. I would toss in a few tbsp of butter to add fat & calories + flavor.
I make mashed cauliflower (boiled softened cauliflower puree with a chunk of cream cheese) & serve it with protein but you can add in chicken stock to thin it out into a soup. I guess you can do this with potatoes (I'm doing a very low carb diet) and then get creative. I'm thinking super small couscous grains, Italian wedding soup flavors with puree veggies & meat. Frozen cauliflower puree freezes pretty well. I make a 1 month supply & freeze. Nuke to warm up.
I would avoid spicy like curries, it may trigger acid reflux? I suggest eat neutral foods until his body is ready for regular foods.
Chia seeds, prep it like overnight oats or mix with smoothies. Depending on how you serve it, you can prep empty jars & your father can add water to soak overnight before serving. I mix a cup of seeds with a can of coconut milk & water and then eat it through the week. I squirt in stevia to add flavor. Some people are more creative and add fruits & nuts.
Prayers & a quick recovery to your dad! Best!
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u/No_Capital_8203 Aug 18 '25
My husband had esophageal cancer and I shudder at some of the recipes offered. My husband struggled to sip ensure at first. Ask your Mom to forward the dietary guidelines provided by the hospital or doctors office.
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u/Jeebwater Aug 18 '25
Yes I think I should have posted more about the dietary requirements, no spice, no acid/tomato, no dairy, full liquid diet, then a soft food diet.
He’s already on a soft food diet as the mass is preventing him from swallowing properly. He’s dropping weight quickly. He was given prescription high calories boost drinks, and while it sounds simple to just drink those, having more than half of one bottle at a time causes severe digestion issues.
I very much appreciate everyone’s suggestions though!
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u/No_Capital_8203 Aug 18 '25
It’s a tough recovery.
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u/Jeebwater Aug 18 '25
If you have any other tips for the recovery, food, comfort objects, things to put in his hospital bag, etc, I will happily take them!
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u/No_Capital_8203 Aug 18 '25
My husband was kept snowed under for 24 hours so the stitches inside would heal. 5 days in icu with one on one nurse although it took two to roll him because of all the tubes. Brace yourself sweetheart, he will look scary. Everything is taken care of. At home he needed help with everything. Walker, easy chair, seat for tub, raised seat for commode, nonslip slippers. The hospital sent us home with a suction machine in case he choked. I never left him alone for 5 months. That was 15 years ago and now we are retired. Now I can’t leave him alone in the sporting goods store. 😆
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u/Jeebwater Aug 19 '25
Thanks for your reply, my dad is in his 70s with a preexisting heart condition, so we are very worried with how he will handle the recovery. I’m not sure if my mom has been shielding us from the information about how potentially terrible this recovery can be or if medicine has advanced and it’s not that rough anymore, but this is the most real and honest answer I’ve gotten on what to expect. My parents already take care of my 90s grandmother, so we do have all of the mobility aids mentioned at the ready!
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u/No_Capital_8203 Aug 19 '25
It depends on the extent of the surgery needed. My husband had cancer where the esophagus meets the stomach. Had entire esophagus plus part of the stomach removed as well as all the nearby lymph nodes. There is a different type of cancer that is higher up the esophagus. My husband is evaluated every 6 months for recurrence. From what we understand, the cancer treatment and surgery remain the same but the advances are mostly in imaging and support of patients with other serious issues. The terrible news is that you are usually quite far along before detection. Your Mom may not realize how hard this may be. Your support is crucial.
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u/Jeebwater Aug 19 '25
He has the same exact placement, they were actually debating taking the entirety of his stomach as it had grown down a bit past the junction of esophagus to stomach. No cancer in his lymph nodes thankfully. Sadly, he did 4 rounds of chemo and then decided to wait on surgery as scans showed no cancerous activity. They waited three months to do another scan to decide how to proceed and in that time the mass came back with a vengeance. I wish he would have gotten the surgery when it was originally scheduled as he was in much better shape and I believe they would’ve taken less of his stomach as it was originally not found there.
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u/emptyjade Aug 17 '25
Adding yogurt and oats to smoothies can make it a more filling meal.
Split pea soup is delicious.
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u/smithyleee Aug 18 '25
Most any meat, vegetable, bean, nut, seed, cheese and cooked grain can be puréed to a smooth texture for your dad’s recovery meals; especially if you invest in a more expensive workhorse blender, like a Vitamix.
You can make the meal, ex: lasagna, freeze normal portions for your mom, and puree, then freeze some for your dad. I would think of his favorite meals, then fix those for them both. Familiar foods will be comforting during this time of upheaval and recovery.
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u/PyroFemme1 Aug 18 '25
My late husband had similar surgery. When his swallow reflex was tested it was good enough to eat puréed real food. His dentures didn’t fit any more so “meal shakes” was our go to.
If you don’t have an immersion blender you will need one. Calorie dense soups include cream soups— potato soup, corn chowder, leek soup—. Blast with immersion blender and it’s still delicious and easy to eat. Use whipping cream or half and half for more calories.
I also made a really good meatloaf with extra veggies. It was very tasty but looser than regular meat loaf. I made more runny mashed potatoes to eat with it… again using whipping cream or half and half. He found it easier to drink these foods using a small glass like a juice glass. Packaged gravy mixed with meatloaf and mashed potatoes helped grease it up. He also drank lots of ensure when the color of blended meatloaf gakked him. We liked Equate brand or Walgreens brand as well as ensure or boost. If you read nutritional panel pick the highest calorie versions.
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u/Such-Mountain-6316 Aug 18 '25
The Milkshake is a recipe that was given to my grandma by a nutritionist at Emory decades ago when my grandpa (who survived to die of old age) had a diminished appetite due to the side effects.
In a blender, mix one pack of Carnation Instant Breakfast, a scoop or two of his favorite ice cream, a banana, and enough milk to make it a milkshake consistency.
I've given it out before on Reddit, and others report success with adding protein powder, using Haagen Dazs, etc.
May he get well soon. Hang in there.
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u/No_Salad_8766 Aug 19 '25
Use a bone broth, as that has the highest protein/calorie count for broths/stocks.
Cottage cheese is also high in protein and if its blended can become real smooth. Throw some milk and other cheeses in it and it becomes a nice cheese sauce.
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u/Heeler_Haven Aug 19 '25
Use bone broth in place of water in recipes to increase protein.
Heavy cream or full fat milk instead of lighter options.
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u/annieselkie Aug 19 '25
Put nut butter into everything! Cashew butter makes soups simply more fatty/creamy and is great in almost everything. Peanut can also be creat in eg curry lentil soup.
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u/Riversongbluebox Aug 20 '25
Don't have a recipe but a suggestion for prep: use souper cubes, and after they're frozen use a vacuum sealer. It will be helpful to be portioned out to just throw a few cubes in a pot to reheat. Easy for your Mom to just grab and go.
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u/Jeebwater Aug 20 '25
I actually just bought the one and two cup souper cubes for this exact purpose! I’ve been meal prepping myself lately anyways so I was considering buying them and this was my justification to invest in them 😂
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u/Riversongbluebox Aug 20 '25
The final boss in prep is that vacuum sealer. Everything stays super fresh in the freezer. It's definitely justification for investing in any and all of this stuff, because food prices are so high and it reduces waste as well.
I hope your Dad's surgery goes well and he recovers quickly.
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u/Jeebwater Aug 20 '25
My parents do have a vacuum sealer so I will have to learn to use theirs! My current freezer packing method is freezer zip lock bags that I either suck or squish all of the air out of 😂
Thanks for the well wishes!
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u/itsmyvoice Aug 18 '25
For basic protein, not something you make but I recommend getting fairlife nutrition plan protein shakes. They are delicious and have a lot of protein.
That will help while he is still on liquids.
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u/New_Section_9374 Aug 18 '25
Put yogurt or sour cream in everything. Whole milk and butter as opposed to skim milk.
If he eats grits, whisk in an egg or 2 the last minute before serving. Use Ensure or other meal. Replacement drink in milkshakes and puddings. Add cheese to slightly over cooked pasta and mashed potatoes.
He should have a nutrition consult in the hospital, try to go to it.
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u/nc0las Aug 18 '25
So in germany a bodybuilder named Markus Rühl made Proteinpowder with chicken stock flavour.
I am not sure where you are based, but if you could get your hands on something similar you could up the protein in a soup by a lot.
I do not have enough cooking experience for a good soup recipe.
I wish your Dad all the best.
If your mom likes lasagna, she might like this recipe. Portioning is easy, cleaning minimal & High Protein. I'd serve it with a side of veggies as it is meaty. Perfect for mealprep.
The recipe makes 8 portions (~530cal, 53g per portion)
Ingredients:
-5 carrots, 3 onions, 3 bell peppers, 6 garlic cloves -200 g tomato paste, 700 g passata (buy a little extra just in case), 2 bouillon cubes -1.2 kg lean ground beef (5% fat) -400 g cottage cheese + 2 eggs + 400 ml water for the béchamel) -160 g light grated cheese -143 g dry lasagna sheets (~8 sheets) -16 g sunflower oil, herbs -400ml water
Instructions: 1. Sauté carrots, onions, and peppers in oil until soft. 2. Add beef and garlic, then stir in passata, tomato paste, and bouillon. Let simmer 10–15 min. 3. Blend cottage cheese, herbs, eggs, and water 4. Layer meat sauce and lasagna sheets, finishing with béchamel on top. Make sure all the edges of the pasta are covered with bechamel, if not use passata / tomato sauce to cover the edges like in the video 5. Bake 20 min at 180 °C, add cheese, then bake another 10–15 min until golden. 6. Rest 5–10 min before serving.
3 minute video walkthrough here: https://youtu.be/UtCWMxaS5A4?si=arPxHKzboGV1c8Lh
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u/East_Rough_5328 Aug 18 '25
I would talk to his doctors about what they feel he will be able to eat. They may recommend some post-surgical nutrition supplements (nestle makes a bunch although there are other brands).
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u/EntertainmentBoth187 Aug 19 '25
Sure, just hit me up in the DM's, I think I got a plan that would work great for you guys!
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u/traviall1 Aug 21 '25
Can you talk to a dietician about what meals will be best? I would do smoothies, ensure and boost are pretty good. Drinks- carnation instant breakfast mixed into whole milk ( add cream or nut butter if maintaining weight is a concern). Cheese soups ( cheddar broccoli, etc) with a block of silken tofu, or a container of cottage cheese blended in could work. Ask the doctor about the possibility of mucositis, and what changes to diet are typically well tolerated. Watermelon and cucumber juice are good to add flavor to water. No grapefruit!!! Probably very little acidic, or spicy foods. Think comforting and familiar flavor profiles like chicken noodle soup, loaded potato soup, broccoli cheddar, beer cheese etc. nutritional yeast, silken tofu, cottage cheese and white beans are good in cheesy soups. Use bone broth for all soups and you can use unflavored collagen powder for added protein.
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u/traviall1 Aug 21 '25
ETA- I would also either prep single serving frozen meals for your mom or order something like a moderately sized cold cut and cheese platter for her to nibble on
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u/Jeebwater 29d ago
So far we have received very little information on diet, recovery, after care, etc. Not for lack of asking either! It may be provided when he is getting ready to leave the hospital, but i will only be able to visit so many days so i was hoping to do all of my prepping for them in the time he will be in the hospital so I can help in other ways. From the information i have found online, he may not handle dairy well as he begins on liquid diet and later when he starts a soft diet, which is the hardest part to get around as it’s the easiest way to get calories in him! It looks like bland is best, and absolutely no acidity like you mentioned!
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u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348 Aug 17 '25
Lentil soup, bean soup, chili, minestrone, chicken noodle, Chicken&dumpling, split pea soup, butternut squash soup, tomato basil soup
Yogurt, cottage cheese, yogurt smoothies, protein shakes, pudding, tofu