Serves: 5

Dr. Ghosh: Mouth sores can be a troublesome side effect of chemotherapy or radiation therapy and usually occur a few days after treatment. The inside of the mouth can become raw and ulcerated, making eating and swallowing difficult. If pain from mouth sores becomes unbearable, discuss with your doctor because there are medications that may help. You may also try oral topical pain medications such as Orabase®. Rinse your mouth after meals and at bedtime with 8 ounces warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon salt brush teeth with a soft toothbrush at least twice a day.

Be sure to discuss your mouth sores with your doctor and try the following suggestions:
Omit hard, rough-textured or irritating foods.
Drink nutritional energy beverages, such as Carnation® Instant Breakfast® energy drink, Boost®, or Ensure®.
Avoid spicy or peppery foods.
Avoid citrus foods such as tomatoes, oranges, grapefruit and lemons because of their high acid content.
Eat small, high-calorie, high-protein meals frequently.
Eat only room-temperature foods, not hot or cold foods.
Pour liquids over foods to soften them (milk over toast, for example).
Use buttermilk as a mouthwash to soothe irritations.
Eat soft, easy-to-swallow foods: shakes bananas applesauce watermelon and other soft fruits yogurt cottage cheese mashed potatoes pasta noodles custard puddings gelatins scrambled eggs oatmeal or other cooked cereals mashed sweet potatoes, peas or carrots pureed meats.
Use a straw to drink liquids.

From "Betty Crocker's Living with Cancer Cookbook." Text Copyright 2005 General Mills, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

More Recipes from the Betty Crocker's Living With Cancer Cookbook Cookbook:
01 Q&A: WHY AM I TOO TIRED TO EAT ANYTHING? - Berry-Banana Smoothie
02 Q&A: WHY DOES FOOD HAVE A METALLIC TASTE? - Spicy Citrus Chicken
03 Q&A: WHY DO I FEEL NAUSEATED ALL THE TIME? - Refreshing Lemon-lime Drink
04 Q&A: WHY IS MY MOUTH ALWAYS DRY? - Cranberry Herbal Tea Granita
05 Q&A: WHY AM I CONSTIPATED? - Hot Fruit Compote
06 Q&A: WHY DO I HAVE DIARRHEA? - Milk and Rice "Soup"
07 Q&A: HOW CAN I EAT WITH MOUTH SORES? - Creamy Seafood Risotto
08 Q&A: HOW COME I'M NOT HUNGRY? - Crunchy Fruit Snack Mix
09 Q&A: WHY DO I HAVE SO MUCH HEARTBURN? - Lentil-Rice Casserole
10 Q&A: WHY DOES IT HURT WHEN I SWALLOW? - Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
11- KEY TO COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Berry-Banana Smoothie
Cranberry Herbal Tea Granita
Creamy Seafood Risotto
Crunchy Fruit Snack Mix
Hot Fruit Compote
Lentil-Rice Casserole
Milk and Rice "Soup"
Refreshing Lemon-lime Drink
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Spicy Citrus Chicken