When you go through a cancer treatment course, your body is in a difficult situation, both from the illness and from the treatment itself. Therefore, now the most important is what you eat, whether you get vitamins and minerals in such quantity, which is sufficient to maintain the form. One psychological stress is enough to affect the appetite.
So what does good food mean in the treatment of cancer? Here are some tips from experts.
Maintaining strength and energy
When it comes to the body’s fatigue from cancer and maintaining the strength to fight the disease, you should pay attention to the protein. Radiation, surgery, chemotherapy and cancer in itself – all can increase the body’s need for protein, says a member of the dieticians association. Proteins allow you to heal faster. But how can you get enough protein?
Meat, poultry and fish are excellent sources of protein, says a nutritionist. But some people have problems, consisting in the tolerability of these products in the treatment of cancer. Therefore, the specialist also recommends the following products that are easy to digest:
- Eggs
- Dairy products such as milk, cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt
- Beans, soy, and nuts, including peanut butter or almond oil
Nutritionists recommend receiving protein from natural food sources. But if this does not help you, try adding protein powders to your diet, for example, whey from soy, or powdered milk. If you have problems with swallowing or chewing, then try mixing these powders with soft food, such as, for example, mashed potatoes and fruit cocktails.
Nutritionists say that it is very important to fight cancer with enough protein in the body.
How to avoid weight loss
Unwanted weight loss can be a serious problem for some people in the treatment of cancer. As your body fights and undergoes treatment, the rate of metabolic processes in your body can increase significantly.
The loss of a large amount of weight can affect the effectiveness of your treatment and the availability of strength to fight the disease. What should you do if you are at risk of losing weight?
- dieticians offer to eat foods that are good sources of calories. Again, the protein is ideal
- if during treatment you cease to feel the taste of your food, then add a little curry, oregano or cinnamon to it
- you may need more fat in your diet. Many nutritionists say that you can enjoy a high fat content by eating pizza or ice cream, if this is the only way to get enough calories
However, not all cancers and their treatment lead to weight loss. For example, treatment of breast cancer often leads to an increase in weight, say nutritionists. So do not think that good nutrition during the treatment of cancer always means more food containing a high amount of calories and fats. Ask your doctor or dietitian if weight loss is what you need to worry about.
Fighting nausea
From 70% to 80% of people undergoing chemotherapy suffer from nausea or vomiting. What products can avoid these side effects? Ginger is one of the oldest tools in the fight against nausea. Other products, such as dry toast, croutons, dry pretzels, sprinkled with salt, dried grains, potatoes and white rice, starchy foods also help fight nausea.
Other methods can help. Since it is difficult to force yourself to eat nourishing, it is better to eat often and in small portions instead. Doctors also recommend to give up their usual eating habits and try to eat with candles, either to music or outdoors. All that avoids the usual associations and can help in solving the problem.
How not to dehydrate your body
The use of a sufficient amount of fluid is a key part of nutrition in cancer diseases. According to experts, many of the symptoms associated with cancer and their treatment – fatigue, lightheadedness and nausea – can in fact be the consequences of dehydration. People undergoing chemotherapy should consume eight to ten glasses a day.
Some chemotherapy drugs can affect the functioning of the kidneys quite strongly. In this case, a large amount of liquid can help protect the kidneys. If you have diarrhea or vomiting, you probably lose a lot of fluids, the reserves of which need to be replenished. Any liquid that can quench a man’s thirst is good. You will like water, juices, sports drinks. However, if the treatment of cancer carries the risk of increasing your weight, pay attention to the number of calories in your drink.
Can I drink beverages containing caffeine? In general, yes, although your doctor may be against using eight to ten cups of these drinks per day. Ask your doctor if you need to completely eliminate alcohol. The answer depends on the type of cancer and treatment.
What foods should be avoided?
Brief and simple answer: during treatment, avoid foods that you can not tolerate. If you can not eat some of the foods, do not suffer and do not eat them. People with oral ulcers may have problems with eating certain fruits. People who have nausea and diarrhea can not eat bread from wholemeal and various cereals. And of course, always follow your doctor’s advice on nutrition in cancer. Depending on the situation and any other diseases, he or she can give you specific recommendations.
Food supplements and risky diets
Do not sit on extreme diets, do not use mega-doses of specific foods, supplements and vitamins. This can have real risks. For example, experts fear that eating excessive amounts of soy products, such as tofu, can theoretically stimulate the growth of breast cancer. Even antioxidants, which many believe can prevent cancer, can be dangerous during treatment. Never start taking any supplements, first consult your doctor.
Improving health through special nutrition for cancer patients
Nutritionists are unanimous about one thing: there is no single ideal diet for cancer patients. The best approach to feeding cancer patients depends on the type of cancer that you are ill, such as treatment, and, perhaps most importantly, what you want to eat. The diet of one patient with cancer will not give results to another patient. So do not look for good and bad food. Instead, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist. The advantage of working with a nutritionist is that he / she will give you detailed information on food that you can and should eat, so that it will be better cured. A nutritionist can prepare a special diet for you personally.