Cancer treatment can involve many different treatments, but most of them have one thing in common: they will put your body under physical stress. That’s why it’s essential to make sure you’re eating the right foods before and during your cancer treatment to get the nutrition you need without feeling fatigued or nauseous.
Unfortunately, some doctors don’t tell their patients that they need a nutrition intervention along with their cancer treatment. One study found that 70% of women diagnosed with breast cancer did not know how to fuel their bodies properly for chemotherapy.
Here, we will cover what to eat before and during cancer treatment to give you an idea of how to eat well when going through this difficult process and how to prepare meals if you need help cooking or preparing your food.
Get ready for cancer treatment
For many of us, chemotherapy or radiotherapy is something we want to push out of our minds as much as possible. It’s hard enough having breast cancer without thinking about how you’re going to cope with side effects from treatments like nausea, hair loss, or fatigue, but sometimes a little preparation can help make these challenges more manageable. We have shared some tips below to help you prepare for cancer treatments.
Before chemotherapy, there are several things you can do to get your body prepared. For starters, try to eat healthy meals with good nutrition so that your body has as much energy as possible. You should also avoid smoking before chemo—not only is it bad for you in general, but nicotine speeds up your metabolism and makes you burn calories faster.
Communicate any concerns you have about eating to your cancer care team. They can provide advice and help you change your diet to minimize side effects like constipation, weight loss, or nausea. You may even want to see a doctor or nutritionist specializing in cancer care. They’ll be able to tell you what foods are most beneficial when fighting cancer.
Make sure to stock your kitchen with your favorite foods so you won’t need to shop as often during the treatment period. Include food that you can eat even when you’re not feeling well. Cook and freeze some meals before you start chemotherapy.
Discuss the fact that you are entering chemotherapy with your friends or family members. If possible, ask one of them to handle shopping and cooking, but don’t forget to tell them if there are certain things you cannot eat.
If you will be getting radiation therapy to the head or neck, the healthcare team may put a feeding tube in your stomach before treatment begins, as radiation treatment may make it difficult to swallow and lead to problems with nutrition and dehydration.
Eat well during cancer treatment
Cancer patients often wonder what they should eat during chemotherapy treatments. Not only is there a good amount of anxiety involved, but some chemotherapy agents also make it hard to swallow (and to taste). With so many options out there, figuring out what to try can be confusing. It’s even more confusing when it comes to combining foods, particularly if you’ve had trouble swallowing in past treatments or have unpleasant taste sensations from drugs like cisplatin or paclitaxel.
Treatment for cancer can be scary, but eating well while undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery makes it easier to cope with your disease. What you eat during cancer treatment can make a big difference in how you feel and the outcome of your treatment.
Strive for a healthy diet so that your body functions at its optimum level. This is of critical importance if you have cancer. When you go in for treatment, you’ll have extra energy and be stronger in order to better battle against it. So, those who follow a balanced diet are better able to cope with the side effects of treatment. For one thing, you may even be able to handle higher doses of certain drugs. This is because cancer treatments can have more potent effects in people who are well-nourished and getting enough calories and protein.
Eating well may improve your appetite and help you get enough calories to maintain a healthy weight. With a few simple lifestyle changes, you can take back control of what goes into your body by eating right and choosing natural alternatives.
Eat small portions frequently throughout the day to help whet your appetite (which tends to decrease in many people undergoing cancer treatment). Try to maintain a healthy weight and stay physically active during treatment. Often, small weight changes are normal.
Nutritionists recommend eating healthy foods that are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that support your immune system and focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean protein. Stick with healthy, familiar foods you know your body tolerates well, but don’t be afraid to try new foods during your cancer treatment; some things you’ve never liked before might taste good.
Choose plant-based meals with beans and peas instead of meat for a few of your weekly meals. Try to include colorful vegetables and fruits in your diet daily. These fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of various nutrients and have multiple health benefits.
Some things should be avoided— minimize or refrain from eating red or processed meats, drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, and eating processed foods. Caffeine use, except in moderation, is not advised as it can dehydrate you; alcohol intake is also not recommended as drinking can weaken your immune system.
Sometimes you’ll need to make a diet change in order to get the fluids, protein, and calories you need. It’s best if you consult with a physician or dietitian before making any drastic changes or additions. Keep in mind that each person’s body responds differently to treatments. Talk to your cancer care team about any issues you may have and inquire about meeting with a dietitian or nutritionist.
Pack snacks for chemotherapy treatment
If you’re undergoing chemotherapy treatments, chances are you will have some difficulty eating at times. The solution may be as simple as bringing along a few homemade snacks. Snacks that are relatively high in protein can be especially beneficial.
Some possible ideas include whole-grain crackers with peanut butter, hard-boiled eggs, string cheese, yogurt, baked tortilla chips with salsa or hummus, and hard candy. Another idea is to bring healthy options from home (such as single servings of cut-up fruit) that are easy for you to grab during your breaks from treatment. Storing these snacks in disposable plastic containers helps keep things sanitary when taking them into a hospital or other medical facility for treatments.
Soups can help you fight cancer
Soups are an excellent food choice, but most soups you’ll find in stores are loaded with sodium, up to 10 times higher than what nutritionists recommend for a healthy diet! Soups that have chicken stock as one of their ingredients have lower sodium contents because chicken contains less salt than beef or pork, two other options commonly used in commercially prepared stock.
Preparing your own soups to fight cancer is healthier than canned or packaged soup. It’s easy to add some vegetables, beans, or meat while sautéing onions in a bit of oil on your stovetop, then blending everything together. Soups with chunks of chicken or other meats or fish may be easier to manage than soups with noodles or rice. If you don’t like meat-based soups, you can prepare plenty of veggie varieties with beans (navy bean, black bean), lentils (black lentil), split peas (green split pea), and many others.
Don’t forget smoothies during cancer treatment
Smoothies combine several different foods into one blended drink. They are popular because they can help eliminate some of the unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy, such as vomiting, and may also help you eat more fruits and vegetables while undergoing treatment.
Because smoothies contain many different ingredients, they allow people to take in all of their daily nutrition in just one glass. In addition, smoothies may taste good enough that you actually look forward to drinking them. If you’re looking for a way to increase your fruit intake, adding a few pieces of frozen fruit (such as strawberries or blueberries) is an easy way to get started.
Besides providing some nutrition, smoothies are easy to make and consume. When chemotherapy patients lose their appetite, they can drink smoothies without experiencing much physical discomfort. Smoothies also encourage people undergoing chemotherapy to stay hydrated as well since they’re made up of liquid.
Conclusion
Nutrition during cancer treatment can play an important role in your ability to recover and stay healthy. It’s crucial to take steps before cancer treatment, as well as during, to ensure that you have the best chance of staying as healthy as possible while receiving cancer treatment. These simple steps can help you eat better before and during cancer treatment and make sure you have the energy and strength you need to fight cancer!
These tips give you some ideas on how you can use snacks, soups, and smoothies as an integral part of your nutrition during cancer treatment. They can help relieve nausea and provide essential nutrients to maintain your strength through bouts of chemotherapy or radiation. Visit our website today for quick and easy tips for people with cancer, caregivers, friends, and family members.