Cellular biology freshman Harshita Jinaga on why she wrote a cookbook for children battling cancer – eShe

By Harshita Jinaga

It all began when my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was in fifth grade, and as a young child, I couldn’t fully comprehend the weight of her diagnosis, but I vividly remember how it changed our family. From countless hospital visits to her struggles with treatment, one thing that stood out was the immense role that nutrition played in her recovery.

This personal experience – coupled with my internships in research labs and hospitals across Mumbai – inspired me to dream of becoming an oncologist and fuelled my passion for finding ways to support cancer patients beyond medical treatment.

Today, as a volunteer with the Cuddles Foundation – India’s only nonprofit that helps children fight cancer with holistic nutrition – I’ve seen the same challenges my aunt faced in countless families across India.

Children battling cancer face an uphill battle, and malnutrition only adds to their burden. About 40 percent of children with cancer in India are malnourished at the time of diagnosis. This alarming statistic underscores the importance of integrating proper nutrition into cancer care.

Studies have shown that well-nourished children respond better to treatment, with 96 percent of children being more likely to adhere to their treatment plan when nutrition is prioritised.

However, the reality for many families is that preparing nutritious meals that cater to a child’s specific needs during treatment can be overwhelming. Chemotherapy and radiation often leave children with reduced appetites, nausea, and other side effects that make eating a challenge. This is where thoughtful, tailored recipes can make a world of difference.

That’s why I wrote Cooking Hope: Easy Indian Recipes for Kids on Their Cancer Journey (APK Publishers, INR 500), a cookbook designed to address these unique needs. Each recipe in the book stems from my own personal interest in organic farming and is tailored to be calorie-dense, nutrient-rich, and easy to digest – ideal for children undergoing cancer treatment.

For instance, traditional khichdi is transformed by substituting rice with protein-packed millets and adding spinach or carrots for a boost of vitamins. Another recipe includes parathas stuffed with sweet potatoes and paneer to increase calorie intake in a simple, familiar way. Snacks like laddoos are reinvented using nuts, seeds, and jaggery to provide energy without compromising on taste.

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in helping children not only survive cancer but also thrive during treatment. A well-balanced diet helps boost immunity, improve energy levels, and combat the side effects of treatment. For many families, however, barriers such as lack of knowledge, financial constraints, and the time-intensive nature of cooking nutritious meals make it difficult to prioritise nutrition.

Nutritional counselling and meal-planning support can empower families to make informed decisions that positively impact their child’s recovery. This is what the Cuddles Foundation does, and my book aims to extend this support by offering practical, culturally relevant recipes that are accessible to families across India. It is written in English, Hindi, Marathi, and Kannada, ensuring it reaches as many people as possible.

While the book is specifically designed for children undergoing cancer treatment, the principles of these recipes – balanced nutrition, calorie-dense meals, and incorporating greens – can benefit anyone. For adults, these recipes can serve as a starting point for building healthy eating habits, and for healthy individuals, the focus on whole, minimally processed ingredients can contribute to overall wellness and disease prevention.

A diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats has been shown to reduce inflammation and support long-term health, which is crucial for warding off illnesses, including cancer.

Through Cooking Hope, my goal is to make this journey a little easier for families, one meal at a time. By raising awareness about the critical role of nutrition, I hope to inspire more people to join the fight against childhood cancer, whether through volunteering, donating, or simply sharing this message.

My journey from witnessing my aunt’s battle with breast cancer to volunteering with a nonprofit and writing this book has shown me the power of hope and resilience. Together, we can ensure that children fighting cancer receive the care and nourishment they deserve.

Harshita Jinaga is a freshman at the University of California San Diego, majoring in molecular and cellular biology. She graduated from the American School of Bombay and aspires to be a surgical oncologist.