Nutrition plays an essential role in the health of any individual, but it’s crucial to pay attention to your diet if you have cancer. Good cancer nutrition means that cancer patients maintain a healthy weight and get the nutrients they need to fight their disease and prevent complications from developing. Poor cancer nutrition, on the other hand, can result in unnecessary weight loss and make treating your cancer more difficult. Eating healthy foods and avoiding harmful ones can optimize your health and increase your odds of beating cancer.
Here are some nutrition tips for people with cancer to help you get started.
Recommended foods
The basic principles of cancer nutrition are simple and easy to follow: Balance your healthy nutrition in cancer with a well-rounded diet. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables and limit processed foods, red meat, refined grains, and sweets as much as possible.
Don’t be afraid to try out new healthy recipes (there are lots of delicious options that you can try online), but make sure that your meals aren’t short on nutrients or flavor; bad-tasting food will discourage you from sticking to it in the long run. More importantly, find ways to make your favorite foods healthier without losing their taste. If pizza is one of your favorites, start exploring whole wheat crusts or cauliflower crusts.
As well as changing your food choices, it’s important to make sure that you’re properly nourishing your body. One of the most vital aspects of healthy nutrition in cancer is getting enough protein, which is necessary for supporting normal bodily functions and may help people cope better with some side effects of treatment.
Healthy proteins, especially plant-based ones, and healthy carbs and fats are the basis of a healthy nutrition in cancer. These are supplemented by foods rich in fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, which are plant compounds like lycopene in tomatoes and carotenoids in carrots.
Experts recommend eating certain foods containing antioxidants (like fruits and vegetables) as these can protect against DNA damage during radiation therapy or chemotherapy; opt for an extra serving or two each day if you’re going through a treatment cycle. In general, a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are encouraged.
Foods to avoid
This is an essential aspect of healthy nutrition in cancer. You want to eliminate those foods that cause or promote certain types of cancers. A great rule of thumb is anything highly processed, refined, or packaged should be avoided because these industry-created items are most commonly filled with a variety of added preservatives, chemicals, and salt.
It’s a good idea to consult your physician if you have specific questions about what foods are okay and which aren’t; however, it can also be helpful to read food labels and avoid anything that sounds questionable.
You’ll also want to consider lean proteins like fish and chicken instead of red meat as these tend to be higher in fat. A diet high in salt and fats can raise blood pressure which puts added stress on your heart and kidneys. Some studies have shown an increased risk of various cancers from consuming too much fat, including breast cancer.
The importance of hydration
Water is an essential nutrient required by every cell in your body. Water keeps you alive and makes up 50 percent of your brain, 90 percent of your blood, and 80 percent of muscle tissue. It also plays a role in digestion, absorption, circulation, and nerve function. That’s why it’s important to make sure you are properly hydrated throughout treatment.
Drinking water regularly can improve your health because it helps flush toxins from your body through urine. Water also helps maintain healthy body weight, prevents constipation, and supports good bowel function. It’s recommended that men drink 13 cups per day while women should drink 9 cups.
Although dehydration is a common cancer symptom, you should not overdo hydration. The key point with water and cancer nutrition is to maintain hydration without overhydrating your body. When you have excess water in your system, you can develop water intoxication – which is basically when you ingest so much fluid that your sodium levels are reduced significantly, causing neurological side effects.
Work out while having cancer
Exercise is a key component of healthy cancer nutrition. Studies have shown that exercising can improve cancer-related symptoms, boost energy levels, and increase appetite. But when fighting cancer, it’s important to take things slowly at first. Get a doctor’s go-ahead before starting any new exercise program, then begin gradually and adjust as needed. For instance, some people may be fatigued after chemotherapy or radiation treatment, so they should take it easy at first until their body adjusts to its new routine. After that, they can continue building on their fitness level just like anyone else would do.
If you’re just starting out, try walking and light exercise. You can incorporate a simple workout into your routine by using a swimming pool, walking up stairs, or doing yoga at home. If you’re more experienced, you may think about joining a gym and working out with some weights.
Strength training is particularly beneficial because it makes muscles stronger, which in turn burn more calories even when at rest. As always, talk to your doctor before embarking on any exercise program, and make sure you know how far you can go based on where you are in your cancer treatment cycle.
When eating out, ask questions
A great way to keep an eye on how your food is prepared is by looking for restaurants that care about healthy eating. Fast-food joints and chain restaurants are more likely to use processed foods, while local and independently owned eateries usually feature more nutritious fare. Healthier options can also be found at many standard chain restaurants- if you know where to look. Ordering a grilled chicken breast or fish dish instead of fried will give you a better nutritional profile.
Whether you’re dining out or cooking in, try getting more information about how your food is prepared. Good restaurant cooks take pride in their cuisine and often love talking about it. To them, creating a delicious meal isn’t just a job; it’s a craft. Even if you don’t always get specific details about your food, asking questions helps educate everyone from servers to home cooks about cancer nutrition.
Cook your own meals
One of our best cancer nutrition strategies is cooking your own meals. That way, you can ensure that you’re eating healthy, whole foods and not relying on heavily processed foods like boxed dinners. Remember that good eating habits begin at home and strive for quality over quantity every time.
A great benefit of cooking your own meals is that you’ll be able to control your sodium intake. Depending on your medical condition, you may need to monitor how much salt you’re taking in and limit it as much as possible. Sodium can contribute to bloating, water retention, and high blood pressure—all things that can make you feel unhealthy and uncomfortable, so avoiding processed foods like boxed dinners is one of our best cancer nutrition strategies. Remember that sodium is also found in a lot of restaurant foods, so if eating out, try asking your server about what’s in each dish and avoid dishes that are heavy on sodium-rich ingredients like canned soups or sauces.
Bottom line
People with cancer often struggle with their weight and energy levels, and it’s not always easy to figure out what you should eat during your treatment period. Healthy nutrition will help you keep up your strength and prevent unnecessary weight loss during your battle with cancer.
Eating right isn’t only about calorie counting or eliminating certain food groups; it’s about eating a balanced diet full of whole foods (fruits, vegetables, lean meats) and staying hydrated. If you’re interested in following a healthy, cancer-fighting diet, visit our website to learn how we can help as you prepare your meals—it’ll be much easier than randomly picking something from a recipe book!