Eat healthily during cancer treatment
In this article:
- How cancer treatment can impact your diet
- Why you need to eat well
- Tips for good nutrition during treatment
Have you been diagnosed with cancer? Coming to terms with the diagnosis can be a challenging one, both for the person with cancer and their family. Your doctor will prescribe the best cancer treatment for you. This may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, biological immunotherapy, stem cell transplants or a combination of these.
Treatment and side-effects
Nutrition also plays a significant important role in cancer treatment. The correct nutrition ensures that your body receives the nutrients it needs to heal. It also helps with nausea and lack of appetite; the side-effects of certain cancer treatments. The type of treatment you receive, the type of cancer you have, where the cancer is and how long you will require treatment all have an impact on the side-effects you are likely to experience.
Some patients may suffer with extreme nausea and vomiting; others develop sores inside the mouth which make chewing and swallowing very difficult. You may also experience a very dry mouth, notice changes in how your food tastes and smells. In some cases, the head, neck, oesophagus, stomach and/or intestines are all affected by treatment and this can make it particularly difficult to take in the nutrients required for healing and health maintenance.
“Some tumours make chemicals that change the way the body uses certain nutrients,” explains Megan Pentz-Kluyts, consultant dietician to CANSA. “The body’s use of protein, carbohydrates and fat may be affected, especially by tumours of the stomach or intestines. A patient may seem to be eating enough but the body may not be able to absorb all the nutrients from the food. This can cause malnutrition, a condition caused by a lack of essential nutrients.
“Malnutrition can cause the patient to be weaker, more tired and less able to fight infections or get through cancer treatment, and may become worse if the cancer grows or spreads.”
A healthy diet during treatment
Healthy eating habits and good nutrition can help patients deal with the effects of cancer and its treatment. A good diet during cancer treatment can help you to feel better as it strengthens and energises your body. Good nutrition will assist in building your immune system and help you to tolerate possible side-effects, while assisting your body to heal faster. It can also help you to maintain your weight and your body’s nutrient stores.
“Some cancer treatments work better when the patient is well-nourished; getting enough energy and protein in the diet,” explains Pentz-Kluyts. “Patients who are well-nourished may have a better chance of recovery and quality of life.”
Eating well means eating a variety of foods that will give your body the nutrients needed to help fight the cancer. These include macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates and fat, as well as micronutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients and water. “The nutritional needs of people with cancer vary from person to person and a registered dietician can help you identify your nutrition goals and plan ways to help you meet them,” says Pentz-Kluyts.
Tips for a healthy diet during cancer treatment
Pentz-Kluyts offers the following advice from CANSA on your diet and how to prepare and handle food during cancer treatment:
- You may find it difficult to eat three big meals a day, so consider eating smaller portions more regularly.
- The traditional plate model for a balanced meal comprises ¼ plate of protein, ½ plate of vegetables and/or salad, ¼ plate of unrefined carbohydrates and some healthy fats – such as vegetable, avocado or nut butters.
- If you are eating smaller portions, change the suggested plate portions to smaller ones or use a side plate.
- Consider the amount of protein you are eating. Too little protein is a common problem for cancer patients – and you need both to fight infection.
- The types of foods you would need to avoid are individualised and depend on the treatment you are receiving, as well as the side-effects that you experience. It is important to speak to your doctor, and possibly consult a registered dietician so that you can get personal advice based on your situation.
- Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
- Scrub all raw fruits and vegetables before you eat them.
- Wash your hands, knives and counter tops before and after you prepare food. This is very important when you prepare raw meat, poultry and fish.
- Use one cutting board for meat and a different one for fruits and vegetables.
- Thaw meat, poultry and fish in the refrigerator or defrost them in the microwave. Do not leave them on a counter to defrost.
- Meat should be well done – no pink should be visible.
- Cook eggs properly – they should be hard, not runny.
Please note: The information supplied is not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional. Please consult a registered dietician (RD) SA to help learn more about the best kinds of foods to eat as well as individualising your nutritional needs and diet. To find a dietician in your area, log on to www.adsa.org.za.
Further reading: See CANSA’s Nutritional guidelines for specific types of cancer. Open the hyperlink below and scroll down to Nutritional Guidelines.
Resources
- Cancer Association South Africa (CANSA), www.cansa.org.za
- UK National Health Service, http://www.nhs.uk/
- Web MD, www.webmd.com
- Health Line, www.healthline.com