Leading cancer charity World Cancer Research Fund has once again collaborated with chef Ryan Riley – founder of not-for-profit cookery school Life Kitchen – to launch Flavour & Nutrition; a free recipe book aimed at people whose sense of taste and smell has been affected through cancer and its treatment.
Flavour & Nutrition is the follow-up to World Cancer Research Fund and Life Kitchen’s successful previous collaboration, the ‘Ryan Riley recipe booklet’. It features 15 brand-new recipes – each one paying special attention to flavour and texture, with the aim of helping cancer patients rediscover and enjoy food again.
On top of the symptoms caused by cancer itself, treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery can cause side-effects that can affect the way food and drink tastes – common complaints include food tasting bland, all food tasting the same, or experiencing a metallic or chemical taste in your mouth. Cancer treatment may also make it more difficult to fully absorb nutrients from food.
Flavour, based on science
All of the recipes in Flavour & Nutrition have a scientific basis. Prof Barry Smith, founder of the Centre for Study of the Senses, has Life Kitchen since 2018. The recipe book explains the science behind Life Kitchen’s ‘principles of flavour’, which are:
- umami
- smell
- texture
- layering
- stimulating the trigeminal nerve
Each recipe in the book has been carefully created to satisfy specific requirements that people undergoing cancer treatment may have – whether it’s a cooling dish to ease mouth ulcers or a recipe to tackle nausea.
Ryan Riley, founder of Life Kitchen, said:
“For many people who are affected by cancer, food can seem unappealing and many people lose their appetite altogether. This is a really difficult side-effect that can make mealtimes isolating and unenjoyable. It’s something my mother experienced when she had cancer and it’s what inspired me to set up Life Kitchen and create recipes specifically for people living with cancer. I believe that food is a big part of recovery – emotionally and physically.”
Matt Lambert, World Cancer Research Fund’s Health Information and Promotion Manager, said:
“Significantly, 8 in 10 cancer patients tell us that they haven’t received any dietary support as part of their treatment. We are delighted to have collaborated with Life Kitchen again on a second recipe book to help fill this vital gap. We want to ensure that as many cancer patients as possible will rediscover the joy of food. What’s more, each of the 15 recipes in Flavour & Nutrition has been designed to follow World Cancer Research Fund’s healthy eating guidelines, making them suitable for everyone.”
Karen, 56, from Loughton, has experienced taste changes as a result of cancer. She said:
“During my cancer treatment I started experiencing nausea and completely lost my appetite. I used to love food, but I found it really hard to enjoy eating anything. The recipes and advice from World Cancer Research Fund have really helped to tickle the taste buds, build up an appetite and enjoy food again. I’m very excited to try the new recipes from the latest Flavour & Nutrition recipe book. I wish I had known about these recipes and the support World Cancer Research Fund offer earlier on in my diagnosis.”
