Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre chefs ‘rebuild’ pureed food
But a new trial at Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is seeing sick patients benefiting from some extreme creativity in the kitchen.
In what is believed to be an Australian-first for cancer patients, the hospital’s chefs are “rebuilding” pureed foods.
Pulverised steaks are put into moulds to make them look like the original version.
The same goes for chicken fillets, meat loaf and piles of peas, beans, cauliflower and broccoli.
Even the pureed components of lasagne are carefully re-layered.
While the moulded meals have the same tastes and textures of the pureed “baby food” they are made from, research has shown they are much more appetising.
Vicki Barrington, the hospital’s food service dietitian, said the new menu of “rebuilt” foods was first served in the wards a fortnight ago.
“If it looks like food, then patients are much more likely to want to eat it,” she said.
Many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy need their food pureed because the treatment damages the lining of the mouth and throat.
Cancer patients are also at risk of malnutrition, so the new foods have been “fortified” with extra protein and kilojoules.
Source: Herald Sun, Evonne Madden, 8th September 2015
Originally published as: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre chefs ‘rebuild’ pureed food
