Diet is often an overlooked subject for cancer patients, but eating the right nutritional foods for strength and energy is just as important as taking the proper medication.
Cancer diets involve eating the correct amounts of protein and calories as well as drinking the right amount of water to keep the ailing body replenished and energized. The body needs plenty of nourishment when it is going through chemotherapy or when the patient is taking cancer-related medications.
Eating Guidelines from the National Cancer Institute
The following suggestions from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) may be helpful if you have difficulty eating or a loss of appetite even when you are feeling well with cancer:
- Eat small, frequent meals (every one to two hours).
- Eat high-protein and high-calorie foods (including snacks).
- Avoid food that can cause nausea and eat things that are enticing, do not drink liquids with your meals.
- Try to eat when you are feeling the best, no matter what time of day.
- Use meal substitutes, such as high-calorie, high-protein drinks, when you do not feel like eating.
- Try to increase your appetite through light exercise or appetite stimulants including a glass of wine or beer, if allowed.
- Add extra calories and protein to food using foods such as butter, skim milk powder, honey, or brown sugar.
- Take your medications with high-calorie fluids.
- Eat foods at room temperature.
- Avoid spicy foods or foods with strong odors.