Planning Nutrition To Fight Cancer

Nutrition is an important part of cancer treatment, helping to manage the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting. It can also help to maintain weight, rebuild tissues, and ensure the body is functioning properly. Eating three small meals and three snacks per day, choosing high-calorie foods, and eating by the clock rather than hunger cues are some ways to ensure proper nutrition during cancer treatment. Soft, bland foods that require little chewing, such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and tofu, are recommended. Keeping snacks by the bedside and planning for special circumstances, such as tests or therapy, are also important considerations.

Managing side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting

Chemotherapy can cause nausea and vomiting, which can make it difficult to eat. To manage these side effects, it is recommended that you eat three small meals and three snacks per day. Try to eat by the clock, rather than waiting for hunger cues, and choose high-calorie foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, puddings, cooked cereals, dried fruits, and vegetables dipped in hummus or prepared with olive oil. You can also snack between meals, choosing foods such as fruit smoothies, high-calorie puddings, shakes, high-calorie and protein drink supplements, sandwiches, avocados, and nuts. Keep snacks by your bedside, and if you have to miss or delay a meal for a test or therapy, bring a snack of nuts, dried fruit, or cheese and crackers.

It is also important to choose soft, bland foods that are easy to chew and digest. Cut foods into bite-sized pieces or grind them, and choose soft foods or foods that can be cooked until tender, such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes (butternut and acorn), carrots, applesauce, ground beef or turkey, and tofu.

In addition to managing nausea and vomiting, it is important to make food choices that provide enough calories, protein, and nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Exercise can also help with appetite and digestion issues related to treatment.

Choosing soft, bland foods that are easy to eat

When planning a nutrition diet for cancer, it's important to choose soft, bland foods that are easy to eat. This can help manage the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting. Opt for cool, smooth foods that are soft solids or liquids. Cut or grind foods into bite-sized pieces to reduce the amount of chewing required.

Choose soft foods or foods that can be cooked until tender, such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes (butternut and acorn), carrots, applesauce, ground beef or turkey, and tofu. These foods are easy to chew and digest, which can be helpful if you're experiencing mouth sores or difficulty swallowing.

It's also important to ensure you're getting enough calories, protein, and nutrients. Choose high-calorie foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, puddings, cooked cereals, dried fruits, and vegetables dipped in hummus or prepared with olive oil. Use additional olive oil in salads to boost your calorie intake. Snack between meals to help maintain your weight and energy levels.

Keep snacks by your bedside, such as nuts, dried fruit, or cheese and crackers. If you need to miss or delay a meal due to a test or therapy, having a snack on hand can help you stay nourished. Remember to consult with your dietitian to ensure that these food choices align with your specific medical diet and nutritional needs.

Eating calorie-dense foods to maintain weight

Eating calorie-dense foods is important for maintaining weight during cancer treatment. It is recommended that you eat three small meals and three snacks per day, choosing high-calorie foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, puddings, cooked cereals, dried fruits, and vegetables dipped in hummus or prepared with olive oil. You can also add extra olive oil to salads and choose high-calorie snacks such as fruit smoothies, puddings, shakes, and sandwiches.

It is important to make food choices that provide enough calories, protein, and nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Protein helps to rebuild tissues that may be damaged by cancer treatment, while nutrients and fluids are essential for your body's functioning.

Soft, bland, and easy-to-chew foods are often recommended for cancer patients, as they can be easier to eat and digest. These include mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes (butternut and acorn), carrots, applesauce, ground beef or turkey, and tofu.

It is also a good idea to keep snacks by your bedside in case you need a quick energy boost. Nuts, dried fruit, and cheese and crackers are all portable and calorie-dense options that can help you maintain your weight.

Getting enough protein to help rebuild tissues

It is important to eat enough protein to help rebuild tissues that may be harmed by cancer treatment. Try to eat three small meals and three snacks per day, choosing high-calorie foods such as avocados, nuts, seeds, cooked cereals, dried fruits, and vegetables dipped in hummus or prepared with olive oil. Snack between meals on fruit smoothies, high-calorie puddings, shakes, sandwiches, and avocados.

Soft solids and liquids work best, so choose foods that can be cooked until tender, such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, carrots, applesauce, ground beef or turkey, and tofu.

Keep snacks by your bedside and always plan for special circumstances. If you must miss or delay a meal for a test or therapy, bring a snack of nuts, dried fruit or cheese and crackers. Ask your dietitian if these foods fit into your medical diet.

Keeping snacks by your bedside

It is important to eat three small meals and three snacks per day when undergoing cancer treatment. This can be difficult if you are not motivated to eat, so it is a good idea to keep snacks by your bedside. If you must miss or delay a meal for a test or therapy, bring a snack of nuts, dried fruit or cheese and crackers. Ask your dietitian if these foods fit into your medical diet.

Snacks between meals are important. Choose fruit smoothies, high-calorie puddings, shakes, high-calorie and protein drink supplements, sandwiches, avocados and nuts. It is also a good idea to choose cool, smooth and bland foods. Soft solids and liquids work best. Cut foods into bite-sized pieces or grind them so that less chewing is required. Choose soft foods or foods that can be cooked until tender such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes (butternut and acorn), carrots, applesauce, ground beef or turkey and tofu.

Overall, try to make food choices that provide you with enough calories (to maintain your weight), protein (to help rebuild tissues that cancer treatment may harm), nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and fluids (essential for your body's functioning).

Frequently asked questions