Taking a meal to a friend with cancer can seem overwhelming at first, but it doesn't need to be. If there is a meal schedule, the coordinator can be a great source of information. Ask questions like what foods are best and what foods to avoid. Those answers will guide you as you choose what meal you would like to take.

Earlier this year, Lee Jackson, a registered dietician from The Healthy Cooking Blog reached out to me to share some of their resources on cooking for a friend with cancer. I knew these types of sites were available, but I wanted to share this one with you because I found it to be particularly helpful. They have an entire section committed to easy recipes for cancer patients, what to eat during chemo, and foods to help nausea, like these Gingerbread Muffins.

Again, it's always best to ask first what foods are best, but after the question is answered, The Healthy Cooking Blog could be a helpful next stop. If you are a caregiver and experimenting with finding recipes that will work for your loved one, you may want to check out their article on what to try if food doesn't taste good to your loved one.

One tip that I've consistently heard from those using TakeThemAMeal.com is to package your meal in a way that minimizes the smell of foods. Those undergoing cancer treatment can struggle with nausea, so putting the food in tightly sealed containers is a kind way to take your meal. Use containers with lids or double the amount of foil when wrapping up your meal. This will help keep odors neutral until your friend is feeling well enough to enjoy the meal.

Finally, one last tip I read on The Healthy Cooking Blog is not directly food related. The blog founder, Holly Clegg, shared that her all time favorite way to care for lips that are dry from treatments is Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask. She said vanilla and apple lime were her favorite flavors. Such a useful suggestion if you are looking for another practical way to help and love your friend!