What we eat affects our day-to-day activities. With diseases like cancer, people always ask “What to eat when you have cancer?” The answer is quite simple. Eat healthy!
When you have cancer, what you eat is essential. To stay healthy, your body requires a sufficient supply of calories and nutrients. However, the disease can make it difficult to obtain what you require, which can alter before, during, and after therapy. And there are times when you just don’t feel like eating.
You don’t need to change your diet drastically. Just a few basic tips to make eating healthy easy and appealing.
Before starting treatment
Even before you start your treatment, start focusing on healthy foods. You have no idea how it will affect you or what kind of adverse effects you may experience. That is why it is critical to start eating well immediately. It might make you feel better and keep your body strong.
It’s also a good opportunity to make plans for days when you don’t feel like cooking. Fill your refrigerator and pantry with healthful foods, particularly those that need little (or no) cooking. Easy options include nuts, applesauce, yogurt, pre-chopped vegetables, and microwaveable brown rice or other healthful grains. Make large batches of your favourite entrees and freeze them.
Cancer Diet During Cancer Treatment
During treatment, you may experience days when you are hungry and others when you are not.
Eat plenty of protein and nutritious calories on excellent days. This will maintain your body strong and aid in the repair of any harm caused by your treatment.
Protein-rich foods include:
- Fish, chicken, and lean meat
- Eggs
- legumes, nuts, and seeds
- Yogurt, milk, and cheese
Try to consume at least 2 1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables daily. Include dark green and deep yellow vegetables, as well as citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits. Colorful foods like these are high in nutrients. Take great care in washing them and ridding them of pesticides.
Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Water is an excellent choice. Also, try freshly squeezed juice. It provides additional vitamins as well as the moisture your body requires to stay hydrated.
It’s also important not to consume raw or undercooked meat, fish, or poultry. Unpasteurized foods and beverages should not be consumed as they may contain bacteria and hinder the treatment.
Always eat when you’re hungry. If it’s in the morning, make breakfast your main course. If your hunger wanes over the day, drink meal replacements afterwards.
Keep small, healthy snacks on hand as well. Yogurt, cereal, cheese and crackers, and soup are all some of the snacks you can opt for. A snack or light meal just before a chemotherapy session may help keep nausea at bay.
Should you take vitamins while being treated for cancer?
If you’re not eating as much as usual during treatment, or if you’re experiencing side symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea that lead you to lose vitamins and nutrients, you might consider taking a multivitamin.
Vitamin D deficiency is the most prevalent vitamin deficiency. Vitamin D strengthens your immune system, decreases fatigue, and promotes bone health. You’ll be at risk for bone density loss, especially if you’re on steroids.
Before adding any vitamins or supplements to your diet, consult with a qualified nutritionist and your oncologist.
Cancer Diet for Controlling Side Effects
Many cancer therapies have side effects that make it difficult to eat. Some of the most frequent side effects can be alleviated by changing your diet.
- Nausea/vomiting: Avoid high-fat, oily, or spicy foods, as well as foods with strong odours. Every few hours, eat dry things like crackers or bread. Clear beverages such as broth, sports drinks, and water are also good options to consume to get over the side effects.
- Mouth or throat problems: Eat soft foods if you have sores, pain, or difficulty swallowing. Anything abrasive or scratchy, as well as spicy or acidic foods, should be avoided. Consume lukewarm meals (not hot or cold). Also, for soups and drinks, use a straw.
- Constipation and diarrhoea: It is critical to stay hydrated when suffering from diarrhoea. Drink plenty of fluids and limit your intake of high-fiber foods like whole grains and veggies. If you’re constipated, gradually increase your intake of high-fiber foods. Also drink lots of beverages.
- Taste change: Treatment can have an effect on your taste buds. Things you didn’t like previously may now taste delicious. So be willing to try new foods. Check to see if you prefer sour or tangy flavours, such as ginger or pomegranates. Spices like rosemary, mint, and oregano may help you enjoy other dishes as well.
Diets for Cancer Patients
Many people promote “special” diets that they claim can help treat cancer or prevent it from returning. Perhaps you’ve heard that you should go vegan, vegetarian, or begin a raw food diet. Consult your doctor before making any big changes.
Although no diet has been proven to cure cancer, plant-based and keto diets may reduce your risk or improve your therapy. Generally, patients with cancer are recommended to follow a healthy, balanced diet to preserve their quality of life and achieve optimal health outcomes.
A balanced diet rich in lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, healthy grains, and low-fat dairy is your best bet. Reduce your intake of sweets, coffee, salt, and alcohol. Overall, choose foods that offer you enough calories (to maintain your weight), protein (to help rebuild tissues damaged by cancer therapy), nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and water (necessary for your body’s functioning).