Meal Ideas for Sick Neighbors

Updated on November 05, 2017
N.R. asks from Chicago, IL
14 answers

We have two families in our neighborhood who have are having a rough time of it. One with a cancer diagnosis, the other with a recent heart attack. I would like to bring dinner to both but don't know them well. What are your favorites to bring? What did you receive that you loved? I know people say stay away from lasagne and chili since everyone brings that type of thing. Would love input from those of you who have been on either end of a meal sharing event. I will ask for dietary restrictions (low salt for heart attack?) but know that both families are a bit overwhelmed so would like to move forward even if they don't respond. Thank you in advance for your advice!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

When I had my daughter 22 years ago, someone brought a homemade chicken pot pie. That was my favorite. I got her recipe and I do this for people when I give a meal. LOVED it. It is still a family favorite at my house.

I agree with soups.
I personally try to stay away from anything too spicy or odd flavors.

Also keep in mind something easy to freeze.
When my husband died 2 years ago, I got a good bit of food and I was no where near able to sit down and eat. I divided casseroles and soups into small portions and froze them for use later. Just 2 weeks ago my stepdad died and my mom had a lot of food. I helped her do the same with small portion sizes so it will be easy for her to heat something up when she is ready to eat.

5 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.G.

answers from Portland on

While I think it's lovely and well meaning, sometimes it can be a bit much to receive a ton of food. What I'm wondering is - do you know someone who is close to them? Like another neighbor who is friends with them - and then you could ask them what would be the best way to help them out?

Sometimes it isn't food, rather it's just taking their garbage out for them once a week, or offering to walk their dog, etc.

But if you prefer to do the food thing, I might suggest giving them some gift certificates to a local pizza place of their choice, or brining over a basket of fresh baked muffins. We appreciated that over cooked meals. The reason being - we had tons of visitors when our relatives weren't well, and it was that kind of thing - trays of baked goods, that were so helpful to just pull out when people stopped by - or we had people in to help with our loved ones.

We had good friends and family would would supply us with the chiles and lasagnas and we'd just pick those frozen ones up at Costcos. A lot of people don't have the fridge or freezer space. Who knows though - they might really appreciate it. I would definitely reach out and ask someone who knows them a bit better though. Often someone will take the lead and organize it - and that way, they don't end up with 10 lasagnas. So very kind and thoughtful of you!

Added: I like the idea of soup others have mentioned. I think a lot of people don't have much of an appetite when going through hard times, and soup is easy to heat up and eat with toast even. If someone pops by to help them out, it's easy for them to serve for lunch too.

Love the Bagel idea Jo Jo - brunch type items, a nice jar of homemade jam ... those would be so well received, a nice treat and just to let them know a nice neighbor was thinking of them. I would appreciate that (who wouldn't). Kind idea.

6 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.6.

answers from New York on

I've been cooking meals for several months for my MIL who had open heart surgery in August. We live 3+ hours away, so I cook for them during the week, freeze everything, drive it all up on Saturday or Sunday, and put in their freezer, and then repeat the next week.

Here are some of meals that I made (you can either google recipes or if you want, you can PM me and I can send you the ones that sound good):

Stuffed Peppers
Lasagna
Chicken Enchiladas (not spicy)
Chicken Noodle Casserole
Pulled Pork
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chili (not spicy)
Vegetable Beef Soup w/anci de pepe pasta
Shepard's Pie
Tuna Hotdish
Meatloaf (mini ones made in a muffin pan)

I froze everything in 8 x 8 pans (it is only the two of them MIL and FIL) I got at the Dollar Store for .50 cents each, with double heavy duty tinfoil on top (with instructions to take one layer of foil off before baking). So typically they would heat the dinner on one night, there would be enough for leftovers for lunch the next day (or enough with a piece of toast or 1/2 sandwich added if needed). Then, I would bring premade ham and cheese omelets that I got from Schwans for their breakfast, along with a case of yogurt, loaf of bread, small package of deli meat, a dozen eggs, and a 1/2 gallon of milk.

Good luck and whatever you do (even if it is buy a premade frozen meal for them to cook), I'm sure it will be appreciated. In the case of my MIL and FIL, everyone was all hopped up while MIL was in the hospital - taking time off of work to visit in the hospital, etc., but no one but me thought about what was going to happen when they went home. I ended up cooking the meals and my husband ended up taking her to the follow up doctor appointments even though we lived the farthest away and are the only ones with kids that require care (we can't just leave for the day with no arrangements made).

Also, if you think money is an issue, gift cards for the local grocery store and gas station will be much appreciated and the offer of a ride to an appointment or to pick up medication might be a wonderful gesture.

5 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.B.

answers from Honolulu on

Sometimes it's nice, when things at home are difficult, to have some food to pick from, as opposed to a full meal. So a fruit basket with a variety of fresh fruit, a basket of breads with jam (either homemade or from a nice bakery), or a platter of low-sodium good-quality deli meats and cheeses to make sandwiches from or to simply snack on might be appreciated.

Another idea might be to pack baked potato toppings in containers (cooked broccoli florets, cooked crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, sour cream...) and include the potatoes, which are very simple to bake. All the family has to do is throw the potatoes in the oven, and heat up the toppings, and individual members can top their potatoes as they like. It's often preparing the toppings for baked potatoes that is the most time consuming thing.

It's really nice that you want to help. Best wishes for these families!

4 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Soup and stews are best, because they freeze and reheat well.

3 moms found this helpful

J.N.

answers from New York on

You are a very kind person and I pray for those families health to return! My friends once sent me a bagel basket with fresh bagels tuna/egg salads cream cheese/butter and cold cuts! It was great!! They also included tea/coffee! Easy & quick & kids loved it too! I know it's not a hot meal but in my experience everybody loves bagels!!!!

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.M.

answers from Dallas on

Since you don't know if they have dietary restrictions I would say give them gift card to local restaurant or even a visa gift card. That way they can spend it anywhere.
Unless you are trying to stay on a low budget then I understand you not doing that. If you know someone that knows them better that can find out if they have restrictions that would be best. It's very sweet of you to do this.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Lots of soup - it's comfort food.
Chicken
Butternut squash and/or pumpkin
French Onion/beef - maybe not those if they are salt restricted
Chowder - corn, clam,
Potato/onion
I can't make it but if I'm not feeling well a good hot and sour soup is wonderful - a local takeout Chinese food place makes a good one (and wonton, and egg drop too).
Vietnamese noodle soup

Stews are good too and are easy in crock pots.

2 moms found this helpful

T.D.

answers from Springfield on

when my mom was going thru her cancer treatment there was a church lady that would make meatloaf. it was the worst meatloaf ever. freezer burnt, loaded with pepper and onions and not much actual meat. but she had it nestled in a loaf of bread.. and that bread was homemade and was the best bread ever. so if i needed to bring something to someone and didn't know them well i would bring a fresh baked loaf of bread. (it can be eaten with the other soups, by its self or made into a sandwich. its versatile)

1 mom found this helpful

W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

N.

You REALLY need to contact them and tell them that you'd like to help and ask WHAT they can eat...and like....and go from there.

Do NOT just show up with food if you don't know them well. Recovering people need rest and they might feel like they have to get up and visit with you because of your kindness and generosity. Please make sure the care giver tells you WHEN is a good time.

plan a time with them or their care-takers for you to come over and let them know you are thinking of them and want to help.

Ask them what they need....some may want fruit. Some may want soup.

My best friend's mom, who just died in May of ovarian cancer - NEVER had an appetite after a chemo...but she needed crackers...and ginger ale. Saltines didn't work for her, like they do most people. We ended up buying almost every box of crackers in the cracker isle and working with her to find out which worked best...and it changed after every chemo treatment....

please reach out to the caregiver. Find out what they need. Go from there.

When my mom was dying? My best friend sent us a Honey Baked Ham meal - for US - the care givers because we were busy tending to our mom. It was WONDERFUL!!

My mom and dad's neighbors were wonderful - since they had lived there for 17 years and developed wonderful relationships with them - actually did a sign up for meals for us. The love that was given and shown is still remembered 4 years later.

It's really sweet of you to do this!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from New York on

I think you have a very nice spirit here, but you should not bring anything that is large or requires cold storage to a family you do not know well (not knowing how much space they have or the situation inside their refrigerator/freezer), and you should not be asking a family you do not know well about their dietary restrictions.

Stick with baked goods that can be kept on the counter. Deliver in a Tupperware container or wrapped in foil, something you do not need to get back.

To make it personal, give something with a "personal connection" - "these are the lemon bars that my grandmother made every Sunday when I was a child", etc.

1 mom found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

I would say to think first of small portions - a big lasagna (or pot of chili or whatever) is just too much for people to manage, especially if inactivity reduces their appetites.

What we do is go to the local discount or party store and get a bunch of small foil containers with lids and labels. The other thing we do is use either Lotsa Helping Hands or SignUp Genius to coordinate all those people who want to help. Both sites let you put in dietary restrictions (low salt, low fat) as well as preferences (they hate mushrooms and are allergic to nuts and chemo makes them unable to eat XYZ). The family can work with ONE or TWO coordinators and then direct all the "can I help?" requests to those people, who develop a schedule. Usually 3 days a week works well, and our families just put a cooler on the front porch or by the garage so they don't have to answer the door and socialize when, truly, they're wiped out. Volunteers can pick the days that work for them, and see the list of what other people are bringing and therefore avoid duplication.

Even if you have a moderaely sized recipe, divide it into portions you think are too small. Cover & label. If they aren't hungry, they'll make one portion. If they are hungry, they'll make 2. The others can go in the freezer.

Some go-to foods you can consider:

meatloaf, easy gravy or a tomato-based sauce on the side, oven roasted potatoes, green veggie (see below)

breaded chicken: tenderloins, breasts (cut in half or quarters, or smaller pieces to make "nuggets" if there are kids): dredge in flour, dip in egg, roll in some breadcrumb-type mix of regular or panko crumbs, wheat germ, wheat bran, mixed with crushed almonds or whatever else you have. Quick-fry in a light or healthy oil (olive, avocado, coconut or just canola), then finish in the oven.

Dipping sauces for above - use small salad dressing containers or tiny tupperware things. Recipients can choose what appeals to them. Suggestions include: soy sauce (with or without ginger or 5-spice powder added), honey/mustard (mix equal parts), marinara, Mexican (add coriander & cumin to a tomato base, even plain tomato puree)

Honey mustard chicken (no breading, just boneless breasts/thighs or tenders, with a mix of honey and any mustard you have, from yellow to spicy to grainy)

Sides: rice or rice/orzo mix with something added to the water (e.g. some tomato sauce if sending Mexican type food); quinoa salad with chickpeas (meat-free protein source) with any salad veggies you like (tomatoes, carrots, etc.), Israeli (pearl) couscous salad with peppers/cukes/onions/parsley and an olive oil/rice wine vinegar dressing.

Veggies: steamed broccoli with cheese; steamed green beans with almonds, roasted broccoli/cauliflower/small potatoes/asparagus/onions/root vegetables like carrots or parsnips (pick what you want - any 3 will look nice) and toss lightly with oil/salt/pepper and herb of choice - we use a lot of dill or Italian seasoning. Leave out the salt if there's a restriction. Pureed butternut squash - cube it, steam it for 20 minutes with garlic, puree in food processor, put in a baking pan or a foil pan, bake for 20 minutes. You can add a little sour cream and mix before baking, or put some grated Parm on top. Undercook everything a little to allow for more cooking during reheating.

Hearty soups: butternut squash with pears (yes, really - it's delish!), corn chowder with a crusty bread on the side, roasted tomato and red pepper. Do them in the crockpot, or roast things in the oven and then use an immersion blender or food processor to puree.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

My dad had heart attacks and a bypass. We appreciated the thought and effort. Low salt is was always appreciated but the thought was great. Same with when my mom had cancer. My dad had a hard time being the caretaker while us kids were so young. Sandwiches, lasagne whatever..its the thought and it does help with whatever you do bring, You are very kind.
Low sodium- I think I remember the Classico tomato basil had the lowest sodium and can easily work in lasagne or pasta or parmigiana.

Updated

My dad had heart attacks and a bypass. We appreciated the thought and effort. Low salt is was always appreciated but the thought was great. Same with when my mom had cancer. My dad had a hard time being the caretaker while us kids were so young. Sandwiches, lasagne whatever..its the thought and it does help with whatever you do bring, You are very kind.
Low sodium- I think I remember the Classico tomato basil had the lowest sodium and can easily work in lasagne or pasta or parmigiana.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Grand Forks on

You've got great ideas on here, I personally take my friends fresh fruit, cheese/ cracker/ meat tray & veggies. Light and easy. Just my two cents. I'm weird too though, as sweet as it is I probably wouldn't eat homemade something from somebody I didn't know. That's just me though probably! You're a sweetheart to be doing this. :)

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions