The No Feeding Tubes Show: Recent Episodes
Yvonne McClaren
Are you ready to live your BEST food life following head and neck cancer treatment? Each week I reveal my lived experience, my best tips strategies and mindset that took me from (PEG tube feeding) not eating orally for over 15 months to eating socially again. I am a food expert, a dysphagia sufferer and a fellow head & neck cancer survivor. As Tony Robbins says “It’s in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped” I would love for you to be able to experience the joy and connection of eating food again and all its social implications. My transition coaching is about a commitment to create a change in your life at a very primal level. It's about choosing to sit at the table again. I surrounded myself with people to help me and invested in myself financially, spiritually and emotionally. Come find me here www.yvonnemcclaren.com
In an effort to support, simplify and produce sincere work I have recently launched Gag. The newsletter
An honest appraisal of life with head & neck cancer treatment side effects, a way to find a silver lining, inspiration, motivation and thought provocation to continue to live your best food life .New and continued resources for you to purchase can be found on Gumroad
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit yvonnemcclaren.substack.com
Episode 49
Cancer gave me a better life!
Why I have positive thoughts about head & neck cancer.
◥◥ Grab your FREE Social Eating Checklist
Find my other resources here🎈
I discovered a silver lining or 2 with head & neck cancer treatment and the cancer itself.
In this episode I discuss the positive aspects of the treatment.
What I hang onto when the going gets really tough.
Friendship circles, goals and meditation.
Support the showYour listening to me here, you can also subscribe, watch on You Tube, follow me on socials, buy me a glass of bubbles and or ask a question.
Find out how to do all that and more here
◥◥ Grab your FREE Social Eating Checklist
This episode is likely going to upset a few people, well SLP's mostly but it's how I feel and I wish SLP's would focus on guiding food choices and not dishing out recipes and specific food items.
There is a reason for my "opinion" and that's what I discuss here in this episode.
Support the showYour listening to me here, you can also subscribe, watch on You Tube, follow me on socials, buy me a glass of bubbles and or ask a question.
Find out how to do all that and more here
◥◥ Grab your FREE Social Eating Checklist
I took todays episode from learnings of Tony Robbins.
It's why I am not a warrior and never refer to myself as such.
It's about decisions and laser like focus.
Support the showYour listening to me here, you can also subscribe, watch on You Tube, follow me on socials, buy me a glass of bubbles and or ask a question.
Find out how to do all that and more here
Down load the cookery principles here to add more value to your food life and cooking repertoire.
Motivation
Explanation
Continuation
Staying motivated, explaining what's happened and continuing on with life.
This episode I talk about how I did it, the things that influenced me and what I was not prepared to have happen.
Support the showYour listening to me here, you can also subscribe, watch on You Tube, follow me on socials, buy me a glass of bubbles and or ask a question.
Find out how to do all that and more here
Download your FREE 6 Christmas Strategies guide here
I discuss what I did and how you can make the festive season a little more comfortable.
I hope you have the best food you can manage over the Christmas period.
Be kind to your self and try to make the most of it !
Support the showYour listening to me here, you can also subscribe, watch on You Tube, follow me on socials, buy me a glass of bubbles and or ask a question.
Find out how to do all that and more here
Down load the cookery principles here
Top 3 cooking techniques for head neck cancer side effects. Moisture adding methods, download the principles for cooking as a BONUS.
You can read the blog here
Support the showYour listening to me here, you can also subscribe, watch on You Tube, follow me on socials, buy me a glass of bubbles and or ask a question.
Find out how to do all that and more here
◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL
Social Eating Check List
Hear what we talk about behind closed doors.
The online Mind Food Body Program, 5 modules and 20 lessons to motivate & guide patients to achieve their food goals.
Listen here
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1960023/11138958
Watch here
https://youtu.be/NBpUUCealVUt
https://youtu.be/USknvnC-ubk Special link for LinkedN
Support the showYour listening to me here, you can also subscribe, watch on You Tube, follow me on socials, buy me a glass of bubbles and or ask a question.
Find out how to do all that and more here
◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL
Social Eating Check List
This is the first episode of series 3.
Introducing 5- Notch Friday - subscribe to get the information straight to your inbox every Friday!
Living with the diagnosis of dysphagia following HNC treatment means many things to many people.
I talk about the 3 biggest things I discovered, managed, and to this day continue to work on.
My new look e news is launched with this episode ...5 - Notch Friday. Subscribe to receive helpful information and what I do on a weekly basis to ensure I am living my best food life four years out.
Support the showYour listening to me here, you can also subscribe, watch on You Tube, follow me on socials, buy me a glass of bubbles and or ask a question.
Find out how to do all that and more here
◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL -
Social Eating Check List
In this episode I discuss the importance of meal planning and getting the basics right so you can manage the challenges of unfamiliar territory when it appears.
I talk about food confidence and how meal planning plays into that.
My 300km walk through Portugal & Spain and how I managed my food whilst burning up to 2000 calories plus a day.
Support the showYour listening to me here, you can also subscribe, watch on You Tube, follow me on socials, buy me a glass of bubbles and or ask a question.
Find out how to do all that and more here
◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL -
Social Eating Check List
In this episode I discuss the importance of self motivation, finding ways of (resources) to manage food anxiety. Self talk and communicating your needs to others.
Support the show
Live your BEST food life. Download my FREE printable resource The 3 step process to meal planning
Change from eating to live to living to eat. Your relationship with food and how you think about it makes a difference.
Best ways to stay connected to food even if you are not eating. If you are a carer this episode is for you too.
- Purpose of food for you
- How you think about food
- Ways to stay connected
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◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL -
Social Eating Check List
In this episode I discuss working out what your needs are, communicating your needs ( to whom & how) and recognising if this is creating your BEST food life.
If you have not already listened to Episode 18 - now would be a good time to do that -It's all about food goals. Check it out ...
Support the show
Live your BEST food life. Download my FREE printable resource The 3 step process to meal planning
Coming to terms with who you are following treatment.
Acceptance of the different food person you are now and finding small ways to improve your food life.
I get it. This is hard and it took me a really long time to come to terms with it.
But come to terms with it you must. There is no other way and no way out.
It's ok - let's do this together.
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◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL -
Social Eating Check List
Facing the public with dysphagia
Coughing up mucus (frog spawn) as I like to call it.
- Using a PEG tube to feed in public
- Dealing with public scrutiny
- Covid - bodily fluids and how that might work
- Culturally acceptable
- Socially acceptable
What do you do with all that excess mucus in public? Listen in as I discuss everything about this treatment that is rarely discussed - well publicly anyway!
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◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL -
Social Eating Check List
Not knowing what you are walking into can be a real issue after HNC treatment. Is it stopping you from doing things (activities) you use to do? Why?
What you can do to mitigate the negative process that seems to come with treatment.
Be bold, make decisions quickly and get on top of the fear, anxiety & solitude.
I know, easier said than done! Listen in to how I do it and did it.
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◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL -
Social Eating Check List
Whether you are travelling, working or like me, just going out for a days' hike how do you pack food to eat?
- Be prepared
- Know your fall back options
- Cope with and manage anxiety
I am also undertaking a meditation course which I have found has reduced my anxiety a lot!
https://www.wakingup.com/ - @SamHarris
Find or follow my trip Portugal to Spain here
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◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL -
Social Eating Check List
3 things I suggest for PEG Tubes generally ...
- Forgive yourself - there seems to be a STIGMA with PEG Tubes there should not be!
- Embrace the PEG
- Have a plan to get off the PEG
Slow feeds, allergies, travel restrictions I cover it all.
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Purchase my Book here Easy Follow Easy Swallow
My top 3
Lymphodema - cold laser, massage, lymphatic drainage massage
Dry mouth - water, soup chasers - acupuncture - it worked for me!
Stiff (concrete) neck likely due to side effects of radio therapy
Dry needling , massage, yoga
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◥◥ Grab your FREE Social Eating Checklist
Recognise the length of time it takes to eat anything - be prepared and tell others
- Portion sizes - how to explain to a restaurant, café, pub you can't eat big portions and why ( yep get graphic)
- Talking, eating & breathing - you just can't. It's almost impossible to try and have a focused conversation and eat and breathe at the same time.
Recognise that the parameters of your eating have changed and you must change with them.
No point in pretending they are not happening because they are.
Meet them head on and be well armed to manage them
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◥◥ Grab your FREE Social Eating Checklist
If you like the show and are enjoying my take on head & neck cancer, remember you can support me buy purchasing me a coffee, cup of tea or these days a glass of wine! There is a support button to Pay Pal down below.
I discuss the impact on others and the impact on you - self worth & confidence.
No matter how dire your situation - take control of your food life.
- How to deal with relationships
- Are they your carer? Romantic - spouse
- Family - what do you tell them?
- Social life - what affect has it, what to do about it and how to evaluate it
Support the show
Live your BEST food life. Download my FREE printable resource The 3 step process to meal planning
Today's episode I discuss how big business thinking can affect the quality of your food life after or during head and neck cancer treatment.
There are a lot of similarities between the two. Healing after treatment and to ensure you are living and eating your BEST food life in my experience involves a BIG BUSINESS thinking mindset. Managing your medical team is part of it.
Find out if you are applying the right mindset to ensure success.
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http◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL - Social Eating Check List
Why does everything taste like wet cardboard?
It is a really hard part of treatment. Not only can you not taste anything, your appetite takes a hit too.
I discuss what worked for me.
Know your 5 key flavours when cooking.
Research
Mental Health
Rubyberry https://www.rubyberry.com/ they are helpful when you are going through the worst of it.
Know what you are missing and the tastes you need to look out for!
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◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL - Social Eating Check List
There's more to this than just sipping water -
(Tip) I always ask my ENT person to wet that wooden stick before they put it anywhere near my tongue.
Puree's, know how to mix and match. Eating with dry mouth can be made a little bit easier by knowing that just because a food is SOFT doesn't necessarily mean you can eat it and most importantly swallow it. In this episode I talk about what I did and do to make dry mouth ( now for me vastly better).
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◥◥ Get your FREE resource to focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL - Social Eating Check List
No chew food - what is it and how are you using it? Know your basic building blocks and learn how to flavour layer with mirepoix, stock and basic sauce.
Know your IDDSI
Know your cuisine options
No one puts baby in the puree corner!
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◥◥ Focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL - Social Eating Check List
How to eat at work part #2
As a focus of World Head Neck Cancer Day (July 27)
We need to focus on the reality of food grief.
How to make food activity positive.
How I managed four days away from my kitchen and relied on a hotel / conference to feed me for four days. Eating off the grid and how I communicated the type of food I need.
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◥◥ Focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL - Social Eating Check List
How choking changed my life!
- Eat to survive
- Eat to maintain
- Eat to live
There are 3 diets with HNC treatment - knowing where you are and which diet you are currently on is important to know to ensure you can live your best food life.
I talk about my new E-book "A guide to living your best food life with head & neck cancer treatment" why I wrote the guide, the 3 step process I discovered to living my best food life.
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◥◥ Focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL - Grab your FREE Social Eating Check List
Food grief is a very real thing during and after head & neck cancer treatment.
In this episode I talk about the barriers, food fall out and the psychological issues that become blaringly apparent.
Join me to discuss beyond eat & swallow.
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◥ Focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL - Social Eating Check List
Become a culinary explorer.
Food can become very boring when you are relegated to just eating soup, soft food or tinned "something".
Work out what your mouth can tolerate? Explore and try things.
Transitional foods, culinary exploration and accepting altered eating - an elevator pitch is discussed in further detail in my E-book A roadmap for living your best food life with head & neck cancer treatment.
Contact me if you'd like to purchase a copy here yvonne@yvonnemcclaren.com
Support the show
◥◥ Focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL - Social Eating Check List
What do I do if I can't access the food you are using in your meal planning?
I don't know half the food you are using - what do I do?
Interpret the methodology using food local to your region.
Today's episode I talk about swapping out food that is available in your local region.
What can substitute some of the foods you are required to eat.
If you would like to purchase my food guide email me and I'll send you the link or comment more info below.
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◥◥ Live your BEST food life. Download my FREE printable resource The 3 step process to meal planning
Have you got food goals you want to achieve following head & neck cancer treatment?
Do you ever wonder whether you will be able to eat certain foods again?
Do you have a plan to find out?
Today I want to share my 7 goal criteria as a way of a food stock-take for the end of financial year.
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◥◥ Focus and work toward your food goals with this SECL - Social Eating Checklist
When it comes to eating with the side effects of HNC treatment - I refused to be limited by it.
I have dysphagia and some days are better than others. I also have an issue with speaking, breathing and eating at the same time.
Lots of people don't understand why it's difficult.
There is no silver bullet, but I do know there are boundaries to push and experiences to be had.
This was one of the hardest areas I had to tackle.
There is a lot of focus on retirees and people not in the workforce and increasingly this is affecting younger people and those still having to work in corporate environments, front line workers, professional educators. Anyone still working & having to travel/ commute on a daily basis.
This week's episode is about eating at work. What to eat, how to eat and taking the stress out if it.
What's your food work environment like?
This is about expanding your life and not allowing food to dictate your activity, or at the minimum reducing your altered eating's effect on your chosen activity be it work or travel.
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◥◥ Live your BEST food life download your FREE check list here
Ep 16 I created this e-book and SECL check list (Social Eating Check List) to help others:-
A roadmap ( guide) to food & social eating after or during head & neck cancer treatment.
I developed this guide to help you ..
1. Take control of your food journey - to be involved.
2. To prioritise time when you have most energy
3. Provide positive reinforcement that you are making progress.
4. Reduce mental overwhelm by reducing your need to think about all the tasks you need to undertake to get back to your BEST food life.
You can download the FREE checklist above - EAT Well!
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Come for dinner? Then what?
◥◥ Live your BEST food life. Download my FREE printable resource
The 3 step process to meal planning
Fellowship of the same table.
This episode I hope, is helpful not only for the person suffering HNC side effects but also the friends, colleagues and family who want to know what to make or how to help people with altered eating when dining out or eating socially.
Eat to survive
Eat to live
Eat to maintain
Support the show
◥◥ Live your BEST food life. Download my FREE printable resource
The 3 step process to meal planning
Likely a polarizing episode but consider these 3 things when engaging, looking for support and answers on social media and on the internet generally.
Warning: I am not a fan!
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◥◥ Live your BEST food life. Download my FREE printable resource
The 3 step process to meal planning
Who am I and what do I do?
Sharing knowledge, solutions & communicating the good stuff.
Everyone is unique with their recovery but food knowledge, application and manipulation holds the key.
Support the show
◥◥ Live your BEST food life. Download my FREE printable resource
The 3 step process to meal planning
Choosing recipes to build out your meal planning based on your particular circumstances after head and neck cancer treatment.
How do you select recipes?
How do you know what will work?
What if I have dietary requirements?
In this episode I talk openly about how I got through recipe selection struggles!
Support the show
◥◥ Live your BEST food life. Download my FREE printable resource
The 3 step process to meal planning
This week's episode has launched ... it's about embarrassment with eating!
It's important to stop being embarrassed about your eating and being different.
I talk about confidence, acknowledgment and exploration.
Side effects of head & neck cancer and what dysphagia treatment might mean for you.
What that might mean for you and how to tackle the guilt and shame.
(Watch here)
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Eating & Drinking with others
It's a huge topic so I have created this new resource and just uploaded the video here and you may download the resource hereSeries 3 Guide 2 - Eating & Drinking with others is part of the "Doing Series" as a FREE resource to help you create your BEST food life.
Here's what I added:-
How to manage the process of eating socially again.
- Plan
- What to expect
- My top 8 tips
The things you need to know which are not talked about.
Social implications, food memories and the insular experience.
Support the show
◥◥ Live your BEST food life. Download my FREE printable resource The 3 step process to meal planning
Going through head & neck cancer treatment is hard enough. What do you do when your partner leaves you pre - during or post treatment? or just single by choice.
The importance of the roles others play when you are single and healing, going through treatment.
Doing this solo and need motivation ? Today's discussion is all about:-
- Staying motivated
- Self Care
- Mental Health
- Importance of self motivation, eating well even when you are single and eating alone.
Staying on course, the importance of self motivation and solo eating.
How you can incorporate your daily tasks as self care.
Mental Health - who you surround yourself with IS important.
Planning to be successful even through grief.
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This episode I discuss the testimonials from people who have undertaken the Mind Food Body program as I am about to launch a NEW Basic program for those wanting some food coaching on their HNC treatment journey.
Fatigue, grief and future are all issues we can relate to on this journey and the Mind Food Body Basic is a step by step process to help you manage not only these issues, but help you set some goals for your BEST food life going forward.
Listen to what others say. How it helped them!
You can get in on the private group and find out more about the special launch price by subscribing here
Support the show (https://paypal.me/TheFoodManifesto?country.x=AU&locale.x=en_AU)
Podcast Episode 7
How to eat an elephant with HNC treatment side effectsHow to eat an elephant ... A popular proverb in the 1940's & 50's and was accepted to be of Chinese origin. The job may be lengthy, but in the words of the great Kung Fu Tze - "A man can eat an elephant if need be, one bite at a time". In this episode I discuss:-
- Recognising the elephant in the room - grief, fear and failure
- Motivation and inspiration
- Plan, commit and activate
You must take things one bit at a time. Be kind to yourself, it's a slow journey, but bit by bit you can gain a better food life.
Support the show
I am not a medical professional but I am a lived experience patient💜
Episode 8
My 3 top strategies for Easter Eating
- Physical & emotional well being
- Plan ahead
- Have you tried this?
You can grab your Free Copy of the 6 Easter Eating Strategies here
Support the show (https://paypal.me/TheFoodManifesto?country.x=AU&locale.x=en_AU)
I am not a medical professional but I am a lived experience patient💜
Episode 6
How to expand your food repertoire for dysphagia. During or post HNC treatment is a difficult time and in this episode I discuss how I went about the journey and the food strategies I used.
- Principles of Cookery
- Learning the foundations
- 5 mother sauces
You can grab your Free Copy of the Stock & Mother sauces here
Support the show (https://paypal.me/TheFoodManifesto?country.x=AU&locale.x=en_AU)
I am not a medical professional but I am a lived experience patient💜
Before this horrible journey started I was a very social person. I was ( or had been) an event manager, worked in and around food and wine all my career, and even turned down an audition opportunity for MasterChef here in Australia.
I had Head & Neck Cancer (subsequent treatment) and a PEG tube feeder in my stomach for over a year. I didn't eat orally for 15 months.
Episode 5 - It's not about the cook book but the recipe! The physical & mental constraints we experience as HNC treatment patients.
In this episode I am discussing:-
- Trismus and dry mouth
- Depression, anxiety, fear & failure
- Breathe, meditation and stretching
- You can download the 4 Step Eating process here Transition off a PEG tube
I am not a medical professional but I am a lived experience patient💜
Before this horrible journey started I was a very social person. I was ( or had been) an event manager, worked in and around food and wine all my career, and even turned down an audition opportunity for MasterChef here in Australia.
I had Head & Neck Cancer (subsequent treatment) and a PEG tube feeder in my stomach for over a year. I didn't eat orally for 15 months.
MEAL planning Series 2 - Food Talk Pain Points
Dreaded Meal Times - 3 core things that are happening and how to address them at dreaded meal times -Little flavour, no pleasure and no interest.
In this episode I am discussing:-
- Loss of pleasure in food
- Increased effort & burden of food
- Isolation & anti- social nature of food
What I did to address these issues as a foodie and as someone who had to pivot their whole life.
You can download the mother sauces here What are the 5 Mother Sauces
Episode 2 PEG - Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
I am not a medical professional but I am a lived experience patient💜
I talk about my love hate relationship with my tube. We broke up eventually!
- Why and what are they for - and as a patient how you should view their insertion.
- What can you put in your tube?
- Do they hurt?
The nofeedingtubes.com movement is about encouraging medical professionals to think about real food and its use in PEG feeding. Today's episode I crack that open and talk about loss of spontaneity with eating, the stigma attached to having a PEG, the mental fight & coming to terms with your lot.
You can purchase my book - Easy Follow Easy Swallow on Amazon HERE
Sign up for my e news HERE
Check out my website HERE
Talk to Claire from natural tube feeding HERE
or Lina Tube DietitianHERE
Helping you live your BEST Food life!
I am not a medical professional but I am a lived experience patient💜�
What am I going to eat, what can I eat? How am I going to manage to eat ?
All very valid questions when transitioning from PEG to oral eating or just eating generally after HNC treatment. It can be brutal as we all know.
In this episode I outline the top 5 considerations when creating a meal plan and you can apply these at the beginning, middle or later in your healing journey.
- Nutrition
- Texture
- Portion Sizes
4.Seasons - Staying Connected
They form an important part of your eating journey and can be applied to how you set about creating an eating plan and ensuring you create your BEST food life.
I talk about the "ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM" - Carers take note!
We need to recognise that eating is more than nutrition. Loosing joy in food.
This episode forms part of the "Food talk - pain series" and you can look here for more free RESOURCES
You can sign up to my e news HERE
You can undertake my Mind Food Body Program
IDDSI International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative
I am not a medical professional but I am a lived experience patient💜
Before this horrible journey started I was a very social person. I was ( or had been) an event manager, worked in and around food and wine all my career, and even turned down an audition opportunity for MasterChef here in Australia.
I had Head & Neck Cancer ( subsequent treatment) and a PEG tube feeder in my stomach for over a year. I didn't eat orally for 15 months.
Getting back to social eating was one of my BIG goals and today's episode I talk about
- Steps I took to get there
- Conquering anxiety
- Communicating in advance
Join me on my very first episode ... Come live the journey with me, I wish for you to live your BEST food life too.
Free Resources HERE
Sign up for my e news HERE
Check out my website HERE