Diet for Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy

Role of Diet in Cancer Treatment

Nutrition in cancer care is important to obtain positive treatment outcomes and prevent further complications. The dietary goals may vary between individuals depending on the cancer type, stage, and other medical conditions. Cancer is a large group of diseases that may occur in any organ or tissue of the body. It is characterized by abnormal growth of cells that grow uncontrollably invading other organs as well(1^✔).

When undergoing treatment for cancer, alterations in appetite, taste, smell, ability to consume food, and nutrient absorption rate may occur. This, in turn paves the way to malnutrition and reduced quality of life.

Eating nutritious foods during cancer treatment helps in improving strength, increasing muscle tone, maintaining body weight, reducing inflammation, preserving immune function, improving tolerance to treatment-related side effects, and enhancing faster healing(2^✔, 3^✔).

Chemotherapy Diet: Foods to Eat

Food intake during cancer therapy should be abundant in energy and have adequate amounts of protein and fats. The primary source of energy for the body is carbohydrates. Proteins are a vital nutrient as they help in the growth and repair of body tissues, and boost immunity. The requirement for protein increases for people with cancer.

There are different types of treatment available for cancer depending on its severity. Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to slow down or destroy cancer cells. A combination of treatments like surgery with chemotherapy and radiation therapy are mostly suggested by doctors(4^✔).

Inadequate protein and energy intake decelerates recovery and reduces resistance to infection. Studies have found that the mortality rate was reduced among cancer patients consuming a high-protein diet.

Fats also act as a source of energy to the body and therefore healthy fats that include polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats should be included. Foods high in trans fats and saturated fats should be minimized.

Vitamins A, C, E, zinc, and selenium exhibit powerful antioxidant properties and aid in fighting free radicals Below are suggestions of foods that provide the essential nutrients to enhance healing and boost the immune system during chemo.

• Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are rich sources of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• Fish, lean meat, poultry, eggs, low-fat dairy products, nuts, lentils, whole grams, and soy foods are rich sources of protein.
• Protein supplements like unflavored protein powder can be added to soups, mashed potatoes, and shakes.
• Nuts and seeds like walnuts, almonds, chia seeds, flax seeds, sunflower, and safflower seeds are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
• Nut butter like peanut or almond butter can be consumed with crackers, apples, or blended into smoothies.
• Greek yogurt with nuts and seeds like chia seeds, almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds acts as a high-protein snacks.
• Plant-based oils like olive, peanut, canola, sunflower, safflower, and flaxseed oil contain healthy fats(3^✔, 5^✔, 6^✔).

Table: Diet for Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy

S.No.	Food Item	Source
1.	Whole Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables	Rich Sources of Carbohydrates, Fiber, Vitamins, and Minerals.
2.	Fish, Lean Meat, Poultry, Eggs, Low-Fat Dairy Products, Nuts, Lentils, Whole Grams, and Soy	Rich Sources of Protein.
3.	Nuts And Seeds Like Walnuts, Almonds, Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds, Sunflower, and Safflower Seeds	High In Fiber, Protein, and Healthy Fats.
4.	Greek Yogurt with Nuts And Seeds Like Chia Seeds, Almonds, Walnuts, and Sunflower Seeds	High-Protein Snacks.
5.	Plant-Based Oils Like Olive, Peanut, and Canola, Sunflower, Safflower, And Flaxseed Oil	Healthy Fats

Chemotherapy Diet: Foods to Avoid

When cancer patients are educated about the foods to eat during cancer treatment, the foods to avoid while on chemo should also be emphasized. It is advisable to stay away from highly processed and refined food products such as white bread, white pasta, chips, pastries, and many more. Foods that are cooked in hydrogenated oils should be avoided as they may increase inflammation in the body.

According to the chemotherapy diet recommendations foods that carry food-borne illness risks and must be skipped include -

• Raw foods like sushi, eggs, and vegetables
• Soft-cooked eggs, food products containing raw eggs like mayonnaise
• Unpasteurized dairy products like milk, cheese, and butter
• Unwashed fruits and vegetables
• Abstain from alcohol and tobacco(5^✔, 7^✔)

Managing Treatment Side-effects with Diet

Chemotherapy can result in side effects that hinder the individual's dietary intake and may affect treatment outcomes. These side effects can be managed by making modifications to the diet.

• Loss of appetite can be managed by eating small, frequent meals. Nutritious snacks should be made a part of the meals. Therefore, instead of three large meals, five or six small meals help improve appetite. Eating every few hours without waiting for hunger to set in helps reset appetite. Beverages such as tea and coffee should not be consumed with meals.
• Nausea is a very common side effect reported by cancer patients undergoing treatment. Foods that help with nausea during chemo include ginger, peppermint, lemon, and citrus fruits. Ginger ale, lemon juice, lemon tea, iced tea, sparkling water, and fruit juices help prevent nausea.
• Diarrhea can lead to loss of water and sodium from the body. Replenishing the body with adequate fluid intake like water, soups, fruit juices, and energy drinks is essential. Foods high in soluble fiber such as oats, lentils, chia seeds, and more can be consumed as well.
• Constipation may be experienced by some individuals. Including a diet rich in fiber that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and nuts helps treat constipation. Adequate water intake is pivotal along with consuming fiber.
• Loss of taste can make it difficult to eat foods. When foods taste metallic, using utensils made of plastic or wood can be helpful. Trying foods with strong flavors like lime, sucking on flavored candies, experimenting with new spices, and using fresh ingredients help tackle loss of taste.
• Mouth sores can be treated by using mouth rinses and eating foods at room temperature. Foods that are very hot, spicy, acidic, and dry are best to be avoided. Moist, bland foods such as oatmeal, custards, and puddings can be consumed(7^✔, 8^✔).

Bottom Line

Adhering to a healthy diet during cancer treatment is essential to step up the recovery process and immune function. Diet portrays a crucial role in cancer treatment by enhancing recovery, strength, and immune function. Consuming a nutritious diet during chemotherapy helps in obtaining the required amounts of protein, fiber, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

References:

1. Cancer - (https://www.who.int/health-topics/cancer#tab=tab_1)
2. Nutrition in Cancer Care (PDQ�)-Patient Version - (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/appetite-loss/nutrition-pdq)
3. Benefits of good nutrition during cancer treatment - (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/coping/nutrition/benefits.html)
4. Types of Cancer Treatment - (https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types)
5. Nutrition during and after cancer therapy - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19856583/)
6. Eating Well During Your Cancer Treatment - (https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/eating-well-during-your-treatment)
7. Cancer Diet: Foods to Add and Avoid During Cancer Treatment - (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/cancer/cancer-diet-foods-to-add-and-avoid-during-cancer-treatment)
8. Expert Tips on Eating Well During Chemotherapy - (https://www.breastcancer.org/managing-life/diet-nutrition/healthy-eating-during-treatment/tips-eating-during-chemotherapy)

Cite this Article ⇣⇡

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

• APA

  Soundharya M. G. (2023, December 16). Diet for Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy. Medindia. Retrieved on Jul 03, 2024 from https://www.medindia.net/health/diet-and-nutrition/diet-for-cancer-patients-during-chemotherapy.htm.

• MLA

  Soundharya M. G. "Diet for Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy". Medindia. Jul 03, 2024. <https://www.medindia.net/health/diet-and-nutrition/diet-for-cancer-patients-during-chemotherapy.htm>.

• Chicago

  Soundharya M. G. "Diet for Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/health/diet-and-nutrition/diet-for-cancer-patients-during-chemotherapy.htm. (accessed Jul 03, 2024).

• Harvard

  Soundharya M. G. 2023. Diet for Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy. Medindia, viewed Jul 03, 2024, https://www.medindia.net/health/diet-and-nutrition/diet-for-cancer-patients-during-chemotherapy.htm.