If you’re not eating much and are tired, you may want to do a bit of exercise an hour before mealtime. It could be four leg lifts each leg, a walk around the block, or if you’re up to speed, back to your routine. Exercise will bring you energy, and stimulate appetite. Avoid drinking (water, juice, etc) before eating. The liquid will fill you up, and you won’t eat as much. If you’re fatigued, you’ve got to make sure you’re getting enough calories, and protein into your system.
I now cook casseroles, enchiladas, and meatballs. I make a large amount and divide it into smaller containers for left overs, or to freeze. Later in the week, I make a salad or put a handful of carrots or snap peas—or cook up some vegetables—add some rice, pasta or quinoa and I’ve got a great, easy meal.
It’s okay to eat breakfast food at night. Save your energy. If you’re tired at the end of the day, you may want to make a sandwich, or a bowl of cereal. (I made the mistake of thinking making pancakes—even the “just add water” ones would be an easy dinner. I ended up standing at the stove eating them as they cooked because I’d become so tired during the process.)
I am a big fan of nutritious snacks throughout the day. String cheese, raisins, apples, bananas, yogurt, baby carrots, snap peas, nuts, hard-boiled egg. . . This is great if you don’t want to see a big meal, or aren’t eating much at once. I also keep nutritional supplement drinks like Boost, or Ensure in the refrigerator. Some generic brands are good, too. They’re a few dollars less expensive, and I even like the taste of some of them better. (Served cold and shaken is still the best.) Protein powder is also an option. It’s good for putting into smoothies. (I don’t care what they say—I still like the taste of blended fruit better without the powder. But sometimes you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do.)
For other tips on Fatigue see the following links:
http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fatigue/
http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fatigue/managing/more_tips.jsp
Cancer: What to Do or Say. 