Details on what may be given as alms Am very new to the Theravada Buddhist practices and would like to know specific items that could be given as alms. My understanding is that a monk cannot cook for himself from items given and further is not able to ask for specific items. This makes it difficult.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
It is important to consider the monk or nun does not eat after noon (12pm) therefore what you offer them must sustain or nourish them for the rest of the day.

Also, it depends on whether you visit them or they visit your home. 

I offer a full meal of the food I personally prepare for myself, which is brown rice, lots of vegetables &amp; protein (fish, boiled egg, tofu or combination). Plus some fruit.  

If my home is visited (in passing), I spoon the food straight from my storage containers into their bowl (which, for me, is the cooking pots). The important thing is to not make a fuss about the offering because a monk or nun must be easy to look after. 

I spoon the rice into the bowl, until I am asked to stop. Then the curry, until asked to stop. Then offer some fruits, which I place on the top of bowel or offer on a tray, so the person can take it (without hand contact). 

If the ordained is of the opposite sex, you should avoid hand to hand contact but place things in &amp; on the top of the bowl, on a tray or on a table. 

You can also ask if they need any body soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, washing detergent, insect repellent, sunscreen, band-aids or other small personal items for personal hygiene &amp; health. 

You can offer tea or juice but generally they have water. Small long-life juice may be good they can keep for the afternoon (although some monks &amp; nuns say fruit juice not allowed after 12pm).