Nutrition During Cancer Treatment

One Size Does Not Fit All

It goes without saying that several factors contribute to how "well" you will tolerate chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. These include the type of drug used, the dose, the length of treatment, and how your body responds to the treatment. The key is recognizing which individual will have slightly (or greatly) different responses to treatment. For this reason, it's important to ask your doctor or nurse what to expect from your specific treatment. You will then be able to personalize your nutrition to what you will be experiencing. For example, if you have oral cancer and are receiving radiation therapy, you may develop mucositis (inflammation of the lining of the throat and mouth), which can drastically change the way you eat. Your diet will focus on foods that are not only soft and pureed, but contain anti-inflammatory components (e.g., black raspberries or strawberries). Dry mouth, mouth sores and changes in taste preferences may also be an issue. Here is a link that is an excellent resource for managing the side effects of radiation therapy: http://www.caring4cancer.com/go/cancer/effects/side-effects-of-radiation-therapy.htm. Chemotherapy also carries a host of side effects. A resource for managing side effects of chemotherapy is found at: http://www.caring4cancer.com/go/cancer/effects/managing-chemotherapy-side-effects.htm.

The key for good nutrition during cancer therapy is finding foods that you enjoy and taste good to you; foods that make you feel the best you can during treatment. Even if it's only a few sips or bites, try to include several small meals throughout the day.

Whether you're trying to keep weight on, lose weight, or simply focus on eating healthier meals, do the best you can to incorporate fresh whole foods into your diet. But, if you crave comfort food and the most satisfying meal seems to be macaroni and cheese (and it's time for breakfast), by all means go for it. It's important to take advantage of those times when you do feel hungry or crave a particular food. But, when possible, try to include some protein along with a small jello salad or piece of fruit.

Healthy Weight

One of the most important factors during cancer treatment is to maintain a healthy weight. Often patients struggle with eating enough calories during treatment, while others overeat. Recognizing that overeating and weight gain during treatment can be explained by use of steroids and other medications, try your best to include lean proteins, vegetables and whole grains into your diet in order to maintain your current weight, without gaining too much. This will help you after treatment, where a healthy weight can reduce your risk for cancer recurrence.

Better Response and Success Rate

When our bodies are healthy, good nutrition is paramount to maintaining healthy cells, tissues, organs and bones. But when an otherwise healthy body is under severe stress such as during chemotherapy or radiation, it's even more important to achieve optimal nutrition. Promoting and maintaining healthy tissues and maintaining a healthy weight all contribute to better outcomes and success rates during and after treatment. Tissues that line the mouth, throat and intestines are especially vulnerable to the effects of chemotherapeutic agents (seen in the form of mouth sores, bleeding gums, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and diarrhea). Providing your body with a healthy dose of healing foods can aid in tissue repair and wound healing. A plant-based diet including a range of vegetables and lean protein sources is extremely important.

Foods to Eat

In a recent article (Danhauer et al, "European Journal of Cancer Care"), snacks and beverages requested by at least 50 percent of the study participants included crackers, doughnuts, fruit cups, cookies, applesauce and gelatin cups, filtered water, coffee, soft drinks and juices. So you're not alone if you feel as though your diet isn't filled with fresh whole foods. However, some of the best snack options include fresh fruit, natural granola bars (without a lot of additives), trail mix, frozen 100 percent fruit juice pops, natural peanut butter on whole grain bread with bananas or 100 percent fruit jam. Grilled cheese, pasta and soft comfort foods such as soups and stews are also good staples. Lastly, don't forget about making smoothies packed with protein, fruits and/or vegetables.