Cooking helped woman with cancer through 'darkest days'

Ms Honeker said food and cooking helped her to change her mindset after her diagnosis

A woman has said her love of cooking helped her get through her "darkest days" while being treated for bowel cancer.

Maria Honeker, 47, from High Littleton near Bath, said learning more about food and healthy living helped her change her mindset from "death" to "life" and to care for her body during chemotherapy.

She has now written a cookbook to help others facing critical illness to "find joy" through cooking, adding: "Cooking became a therapy for me. It was the one thing I could be in control of."

The NHS says that in addition to the physical health benefits, eating well during cancer treatment can give people something positive to focus on.

Ms Honeker added that the book does not give nutritional advice, as that is something a medical professional should do, but said it is aimed at those looking for a holistic approach to health.

Ms Honeker said it is "empowering" for people who have critical illnesses to be "proactive"

The mother-of-two was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in 2017.

She started researching ways to support herself through her treatment and documented her journey of using food and cooking.

"When you get a diagnosis you think about death, but after a couple of days I swapped that mindset, I thought 'no, I'm not going anywhere, I'm staying here, I'm going to live'," she said.

"It really helped me through some of the darkest days."

The NHS says taking steps towards eating well during cancer treatment can give people a sense of control. It said it may also help to:

• Boost immunity

• Improve overall health and sense of wellbeing

• Improve energy levels and reduce fatigue

• Speed up recovery after treatment

• Improve sleep

• Manage some of the side-effects of treatment

• Reduce the risk of cancer coming back

The book offers practical advice on things like pantry essentials, and mindful eating

Ms Honeker eventually produced the book - 'Eat Naturally - A Cancer Survivor's Cookbook' - that was also inspired by family members.

"I lost both my mum and brother in the years around my diagnosis and they were brilliant cooks," Ms Honeker said.

"They inspired me. I think they'd be proud of me," she added.

The cookbook offers practical advice on tools, pantry essentials, and mindful eating practices and shares Ms Honeker's recovery journey.

It also provides advice and recipes using plant-based and wholefoods that helped her.

"It's about helping people find a love and joy with cooking at a time when the body is going through chemical treatments," she said.

"I do think it's important, it's helpful to take on a proactive approach.

"You feel better for being part of the process."