Bringing others food is the universal language of love, compassion and the quiet way people care for one another when life gets hard.
In an ages-old tradition, people bring food when life gets difficult or busy: After a death in the family, after surgery or during an illness, with the arrival of a baby, when someone is busy caring for another or experiences the loss of a job. During these times, it’s one less thing to deal with and can make the day a bit simpler.
Food also is used to welcome new neighbors or celebrate the start of a new career. Sometimes, it’s because your garden gave you a bumper crop of tomatoes and you can only make so much sauce. Other times, it’s just because…for no reason other than that you feel like sharing.
What foods make a helpful gift? The best dishes are usually easy to reheat, can be frozen, are not overly fussy or fancy, are easy to portion and simple enough for tired people to get on the table. It helps to find out whether there are any food allergies, sensitivities or strong preferences. Soup, chili, breakfast casseroles and pasta bakes are classic for a reason: They are filling, familiar and easy to warm up. A rotisserie chicken with simple sides, sandwiches or wraps or even a tray of sandwich fixings can help cover several meals with little effort.
People are also reading…
It is also worth remembering that after illness, surgery, stress or grief, people do not always want a big, hearty meal. In those moments, simple foods can be especially welcome. Lighter options such as cut fruit, muffins, hard-boiled eggs, banana bread, crackers and cheese, smoothies, yogurt and berries, snack baskets or a salad kit topped with protein can be appreciated. Freezer-friendly meals in small portions offer nourishment whenever it’s most needed.
When giving food, add an instruction sheet for reheating, label the food, include an ingredient list, take a breakfast instead of dinner, use a disposable serving dish or one (with your name on it) that does not need to be returned in a timely fashion. You may even want to include disposable bowls, plates and napkins. A small group of friends may plan out a simple meal, with each contributing something.
Even if you’re not a whiz in the kitchen, there are a variety of ways you can share love with food. Consider giving a gift card to a favorite restaurant, organizing a meal train, dropping off washed fruits and veggies, picking up favorite take-out, stocking the freezer or pantry with staples, bringing coffee and a simple breakfast one morning and taking snack foods to caregivers.
When the person you’re assisting is recovering from illness, surgery or has ongoing treatments, keep in mind foods that support healing. Protein is necessary for improving strength and tissue repair, nutrients in produce help boost the immune system and the fiber helps keep everything moving. Soups, fruits, herbal teas and flavored waters offer easy hydration. A simple meal can be both kind and practical, which is often what people need most.
We bring food for birthdays and babies, for illness and loss, for new neighbors and worn-out friends. It is one of the simplest ways to say, “I am thinking of you.” And sometimes, the smallest gestures carry the most heart.
Carol Slager is a licensed pharmacist, author, blogger and health coach in Northwest Indiana. Follow her monthly in Get Healthy and at inkwellcoaching.com. Opinions expressed are the writer's.
