It’s true. Not all cancer patients eat the same whether it's before, during or after treatment. Taste buds change, lifestyles and cultures are different and treatment reactions vary among those with the debilitating disease. What healthy alternatives are available for those going through treatment? Does diet really make a difference? There are plenty of questions that arise when cancer enters the room.
Cancer patients have a tendency to lose weight so a diet high in nutritious calories works best. A need to boost energy, cancer patients crave food that is comforting and hearty. Foods like macaroni and cheese, pasta dishes, stews, casseroles and soups work well as long as they are digestible. Giving the body proper nutrition is crucial during treatment. Nausea and digestive issues are common at the onset of treatment. Smaller meals throughout the day can prevent nausea and stomach woes. Whole grain[1] toast can help ease the queasiness. Ginger reduces any digestive issues and can easily be tossed into any stew or soup. Also ginger candies are available and are great taken throughout the day. A vegetable or meat broth works to stay nourished. Broth has many vital trace minerals. Consuming beans and lentils[2] helps add fiber to the diet. Consume plenty of pure, refreshing water to allow the fiber to work more efficiently.
Opt for the right beverages during treatment. Water, herbal and green teas[3] plus broths aid in staying hydrated. According to Karen Weintraub’s article, “Healthy Helpings”, a cover story from the Boston Globe, 78 percent of cancer patients drank less alcohol.
According to a national survey taken with over 1200 cancer patients at 7 of the world’s cancer centers, fruits and vegetables are usually craved during treatment. 69 percent opted for the colorful fare. The survey was gathered by the Cancer Nutrition Consortium, a group aiming to blend cancer treatment with healthy diet choices. Their website offers valuable information such as recipes, articles and community links to support cancer treatment. Recipes such as crockpot chicken pot pie, chili and macaroni and cheese are just a few concoctions one can discover on their website.
Little medical guidance has been out there for cancer patients and diets. While a few sites have tempted to offer low protein, high carbohydrate diets, most cancer experts agree that a composed diet of colorful fruits and vegetables should compliment treatment regime. Organic foods[4] work best, even though there some experts that still discredit their value.
Taste buds change during treatment as well as a sense of smell. Food can taste metallic and odors may seem offensive. Keeping a diary of what foods are not bothersome is a successful way to maintain health. Also, changing to a healthier diet is an opportunity to implement healthy habits including exercise. The study has helped attain a better understanding of a patient’s preference to food prompting hospital cancer wards to find the right food fit for cancer patients.
Sources:
“Healthy Helpings”; Boston Globe, December 2, 2013; Karen Weintraub
“Nutrition and Prostate Cancer”; UCSF Helen Diller Family Cancer Center
References
- ^ Whole grain (www.examiner.com)
- ^ beans and lentils (www.examiner.com)
- ^ herbal and green teas (www.examiner.com)
- ^ Organic foods (www.examiner.com)
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