Food and Your Cancer Treatment
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When undergoing treatment, it is essential to understand that both your illness and eating habits may change. For some, treatment may affect how you withstand certain foods, and for others, it may not. Everybody is different and reacts differently to their illness and treatment. Finding what nutrition plans and goals are right for you can help you feel better, have better strength, better stamina, maintain healthy body weight, lower the risk of infection, and heal quicker. Here are just a few things to consider and discuss with your care team regarding nutrition and your cancer treatment.
When going through chemotherapy, side effects like loss of appetite, Diarrhea, constipation, Dry mouth, thick saliva, mouth sores, nausea/vomiting, and changes in your taste and smell may occur. There are many overlaps for tips on maintaining a well-nourished body during treatment. The main things to remember are always to stay hydrated and eat or drink foods high in calories and protein. Remember, there are different needs for your specified treatment plan. Always consult your care team before trying anything new or stopping something.
Fluids are extremely important to prevent dehydration, thin mucous, moisten the mouth, and protect your kidneys. Sources of fluids include:
Water (infused with fruit or vegetables for taste if desired)
Broths & soups
Smoothies & Milkshakes
Popsicles
Heartburn may be an experience that can be uncomfortable. Often, avoiding heartburn triggers can help. These include:
Avoiding tobacco
Limiting caffeine
Avoiding alcohol
Avoid eating 2-3 hours before bedtime
Focus on protein for energy and strength. Protein is a key component that can help you recover faster and have the strength to continue treatment.
What are examples of high protein snacks?
Meats (beef, pork, poultry. Stay away from red meat which can increase hypertension)
Fish and seafood
Eggs
Dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese)
Legume (beans lentils)
Soy (edamame, tofu, soymilk)
Nuts and seeds
Protein powders and shakes
Treatment can also cause other food-related effects. For each of the following side effects, we’ve listed a few helpful strategies to overcome the impacts of treatment on your diet and nutrition.
Loss of appetite
Try Drinking fluids after meals and not during to avoid feeling more full
Eat or drink high calorie/protein snacks/meal replacement drinks
Try having 6-8 smaller meals and snacks throughout the day
Intake more starchy foods like bread and pasta
Intake more high protein foods like chicken and different nuts.
Exercising, like walking or even yoga can help increase your appetite. Check out our blog about the 6 benefits of walking for breast cancer survivors.
Diarrhea
Drink fluids that are clear and non-carbonated drinks. Examples may be: apple juice, teas and water
Eat small frequent meals/ snacks
Avoid high fat (greasy food) and high fiber foods (raw veggies, whole grain breads, and cereals)
Avoid dairy/milk products
Drink and eat high sodium (salt) foods
Drink and eat high potassium foods (bananas, and potatoes with the skin)
Don’t eat or chew things with ingredients such as sorbitol, mannitol, or xylitol: Here is a product free of all those ingredients.
Constipation
Ask your care team if they suggest any over the counter products to soften your stool
Try eating at the same times throughout the day to try and have a scheduled bowel movement.
Eat more high fiber foods (if your doctor gives you the okay to do so)
Avoid foods/ drinks that cause gas (avocados, beans, fizzy drinks)
Dry mouth, thick saliva, and mouth sores
Take small bites and chew well
Sip fluids with meals and snacks
Moisten foods like for example incorporating gravy within meals
Suck on ice chips or sugarless gum/ candies
Avoid spicy or acidic foods if you have mouth sores
Use homemade mouth rinses or ones that have been prescribed to you
Avoid chewy meals/ snacks
Eat soft bland foods
Puree or liquify foods
Eat foods cold or lukewarm
Use a straw when you drink anything
Nausea and vomiting
Eat foods that appeal to you when you aren’t feeling nausea but try avoiding them when you do feel sick.
Suck on candy, popsicles, or gelatin
Eat bland foods like toast
Eat foods in temperature that are either cold or lukewarm
Avoid fatty fried spicy or very sweet foods
Taste and smell changes
Try using plastic utensils to avoid foods tasting metallic
Eat fresh vegetables as opposed to canned vegetables
Season foods with tart flavors like lemons if your foods taste too sweet (unless you have a sore)
Try other proteins like chicken and fish if red meat taste weird
Choose foods that do not need to be cooked
If you are drinking anything that produces smells you can cover your beverages and drink through a straw
Remember to always consult with your care team when it comes to your nutrition and treatment. Your health is important, and a nutritionist or registered Dietician can help you manage those side effects that you may be experiencing.
Check out our blog on different cancer fighting berries!
Check out these two podcast that talk about nutrition: 1 and 2
Check out this video that goes more in detail of nutrition during treatment: