When you’re a patient grappling with cancer, one of the last things on your mind is meal prep. Indeed, getting dinner ready can be pretty low on the list of priorities. Cancer can make money, time, and energy all in short supply but proper nutrition has never been more critical. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, “Getting good nutrition and keeping a healthy weight are important parts of recovery.”
If you know someone undergoing treatment or in recovery, giving the gift of a meal service is a thoughtful way to show you care. Here are three convenient online options to consider:
Groceries
One service that offers gift cards and is available in most major cities is Instacart. Think of Instacart as Uber but for grocery shopping. You make your food selections online and an Instacart shopper goes to a store, finds it, and delivers it all straight to your home. Gift certificates are available for gift-giving. Instacart is as easy as downloading an app and creating an account. You can find out more about Instacart here: https://www.instacart.com.
Meal Kits
The delivery service Hello Fresh provides meal kits prepared by chefs and tailored to a variety of different dietary needs. This service is ideal for those looking for a quick, easy solution to getting dinner on the table. Hello Fresh can cater to individuals or families and has a wide variety of fresh ingredients and breadth of available options. Gift certificates are available. You can check out Hello Fresh’s offerings on their website: https://www.hellofresh.com/.
Heat-and-Eat Meals
If you want complete, already-prepared meals, then Munchery.com is a great option. This company cooks and delivers meals in over 1000 cities nationwide using fresh, local, all-natural ingredients. You just heat them up. You can order a day or week at a time (or more) and have meals delivered and ready in a snap. Munchery also offers gift certificates. Find out more about their service use this link: https://www.munchery.com/about-us-faq/.
Gift Certificates Are a Great Solution
Even if the meal- or grocery-delivery service doesn’t offer a gift certificate option, you can always purchase a prepaid Visa credit card that can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. If you are interested in this gift-giving idea, click here: https://usa.visa.com/pay-with-visa/cards/card-finder/gift-finder-page.html.
Cancer patients often don’t have the time or energy to make meals a priority. These services can help fill the gaps and are a caring way to help someone you love who’s struggling with this disease. No matter what option you choose, your gift definitely takes away some of the burden your loved one is going through.
Nutrition Tips for Cancer Patients
If you or someone you know is having trouble eating and maintaining a healthy weight during or after treatment, the American Society of Clinical Oncology has some incredibly helpful advice.
Free Financial Help for Cancer Patients
If you need assistance paying for treatment, there is free help available. Check out our link here: free financial help for cancer patients in the USA.
My sister actually gifted me a hello fresh gift certificate and it was the best thing!
Hi Jen! Thank you for your feedback on Hello Fresh! We like them, too!