This thread has been so much fun, I bet if I started a new one on the subject (food) we are at, it would die. So I'm going to continue the drift off of the starting topic.

Amy, you are right (and so is Brian). Right now you don't need to be concerned about any quality foodstuffs. This means fat of all kinds (very important), Protein (very important), and less important starches and sugars. Ironically the worst advice I read here is "calories are calories" and that is from a "nutritionist"! Ticks me off. The reality is fat has the highest concentration of calories of any type of food and carry important fat soluble vitimins.

{Fat is one of the three main classes of food and, at approximately 38 kJ (9 kilocalories) per gram, as compared to sugar with 17 kJ (4 kcal) per gram or ethanol with 29 kJ (7 kcal) per gram, the most concentrated form of metabolic energy available to humans. (Note that 1 kcal = 1 "Calorie", capitalised in nutrition-related contexts.)

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble meaning they can only be digested, absorbed, and transported in conjunction with fats. Fats are sources of essential fatty acids, an important dietary requirement.

Fats play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and hair, insulating body organs against shock, maintaining body temperature, and promoting healthy cell function. They also serve as energy stores for the body. In food, there are two types of fats: saturated and unsaturated. Fats are broken down in the body to release glycerol and free fatty acids. The glycerol can be converted to glucose by the liver and thus used as a source of energy. The fatty acids are a good source of energy for many tissues, especially heart and skeletal muscle.}

Protein is very important after radiation treatment because the body is really busy trying to re-build what has been blasted away. The healing process will be slowed down by any shortage of these basic food components.

One of my big pet peeves is the concept of various liquid canned drinks being "all you need" that is simply BULL CRA_ Most that I have seen are not very complete. Most rely on sugar to bring up the calorie counts.

Back to fat, the really important thing here is that you mix in good (plant) fats (and some animal fats) with protein, and plenty of micro-nutrients from colored vegetables and fruits. Use the blender to make it smooth and count the calories so that you are getting 2500 or more per day. (more than that is fine until weight starts to come back.)

Prime rib in the blender is great. a little milk or cream to make it spin. Eggs are also excellent in the blender. Scramble them first then set them spinning. Many of you are new enough to not know about my Whopper with Cheese in the blender. Yes it works and yes it tasted really fine. (simply cut it into about 8 pieces and throw it in the blender with some milk.) Warm in the microwave and you have a meal to brag about.

Last, and back on track, Beer and especially heavy (usually dark) beers can run 200-300 calories per 12 ounces. These calories are carbohydrates (unfermented sugars) and partly calories derived from alcohol. Alcohol calories cannot be stored in the body. The calorie value in alcohol should not count as nutritional calories. (Many make that mistake) because the body has to get rid of it. The carbs., however, do count and are essentially the same as grains without the fiber. In other-words beer (in moderation) can help with boosting nutrition and may stimulate the appetite.

Why I know so much about beer is because I have been making my own since 1985.