Question:
How do you cook for family when you are on liquids.

My husband asked me to ask this question... as I keep telling him not to expect me to cook anything special for him while I am on liquids and puree. He doesn't have a clue in the kitchen and he is wondering how other spouses get fed. I'm wondering too if it will even bother me to cook for him. I'm thinking I won't want to cook for him if I can't eat. Neither one of us is thinking selfishly but it's just going to be a big change for the both of us.    — Janet S. (posted on April 28, 2002)

April 28, 2002
Hi there, I am 3 weeks post op as of tomorrow, and on the liquid phase still. I have noticed that as long as I am feeling ok, that I enjoy cooking for my family. It is something that feels familiar and normal. Today I fixed lasagne and hot rolls. They loved it and I enjoyed watching them eat it!! It made me feel strangly good. I only hope that I don't start over doing it with the cooking! My 13 year old son said to me the other day..."Mom, don't stuff us just cause you can't eat this" One thing that I find odd. My husband makes ALL of my meals and I cook the family meals. Isn't that odd? I will be just finishing up making dinner and he comes in the kitchen and starts fixing my meal. There has been a few times I just wanted to rest or whatever and then everyone just 'fins' for themselves, with frozen pizza, sandwiches and soup, or fish sticks and fries...something easy. Good luck. I thought it would be hard too, but I've noticed that just because I cook it doesn't mean I want to eat it.
   — A. S.

April 28, 2002
Hi: HOW DO YOU COOK FOR YOUR FAMILY???? HONEY YOU DON'T!!! This is YOUR TIME...I did a few casserole dishes and divided them up in the freezer so that they absolutely wouldn't starve to death, but let the hubby fend for them...you concentrate on healing that new body of yours...I stocked up the kitchen with all of their favorites and packed in the freezer and just crossed my fingers......funny thing happened....no one starved to death(ha ha ha ha)...make sure you think about you and no temptations in the kitchen..I promise they won't starve...get a BIG jar of peanut butter and they will be fine....I promise..
   — Joi G.

April 28, 2002
One of the selfish things I did was to tell my husband and daughter that I wouldn't be doing any of the cooking when I was in the liquid phase of my recovery. They didn't have a problem with that and between the two of them managed to get something on the table every night. If your husband can't/won't cook you can always prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them or buy frozen dinners for him. A few weeks of TV dinners ought to get him into the kitchen when he's hungry. You have to do decide what you have to do for your recovery. If that is not cooking what you can't eat - fine. If that is continuing to cook for your family to mainain what feels normal - fine. Take some time now and discuss this so you know what you are going to do after surgery so you are not faced with any conflicts when you are recovering.
   — georgiacarol

April 29, 2002
On the 7th day after surgery, my sister decided to try and cook some burgers for my family since I wasn't able to cook or eat. The smell of the hamburgers was really hard - I was still on phase I (clear liquids) of my diet and by the 6th day, I had truly started to feel some hunger pains. I went to the computer room and honestly felt my mood go from upbeat to a low, almost 'depressed' mode. It was the wildest thing to me - they lit candles shortly after dinner to cover up the smells of dinner and I came out of hiding :). Although I didn't state how hard it was to my family, I believe my husband just knew. He said for the next few weeks, he'd be joining me in a light dinner and didn't cook/cook anything until I was back on the pureed diet. He ate soups with me and they had sandwiches or whatever but I thought it was an awesome gesture. Sure made my time a bit easier. I am 3-weeks out tomorrow and doing much better. I'm into the pureed foods - I did the cooking last night. I've gone to a few restaurants during the last 3-weeks - had creamed soups or the juice from won/ton soup and felt completely satisfied. My husband has been a saint and so has the rest of my family - they realize it's a time for me for big adjustments and have been incredibly supportive of my decision to get my health back. My husband is actually hoping to drop a few pounds as I do and I'm hoping to learn how to start cooking more healthier. I purchased Victoria Bowen's book and seeing her success & all, I'm looking forward to get into some creative, healthy cooking. Good luck to you, poster !! :)
   — Lisa J.