You should eat a healthful diet while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. According to the website Chemocare, patients in chemotherapy often lose their appetites and find that foods they once loved simply don't taste as good; eating becomes difficult just when the body most needs proper nutrition. Chemocare recommends that you involve family members in meal planning to ensure that you do not feel overwhelmed by food choices and cooking while trying to rest and recover. Ask your oncologist or nutritionist for additional instruction before you alter your diet.
Fluids
Drinking plenty of fluids is essential to your health and hydration levels during chemotherapy treatments. Ginger tea and peppermint tea are widely used to settle the stomach and help alleviate nausea after treatment. Your tolerance levels will dictate whether you choose to drink them warm or cold. Fruit and vegetable juices offer high levels of vitamins and minerals; you should prepare them fresh, if possible. According to the Oncology Channel, sugar increases your chances of developing a Candida infection and should be avoided. Those who prefer to add a sweetener to their beverages should try those derived from grains, such as barley malt or rice syrup. Vegetable broth and miso broth help to replace the electrolytes that are lost through vomiting and diarrhea, if you are ill after treatment. Adding a pinch of sea salt raises the electrolyte content and aids in your recovery, especially if you feel a bit dizzy or faint.
Fruits and Vegetables
The American Cancer Society recommends eating a diet that balances healthful food choices from the five main food groups, while placing emphasis on foods that come from plant sources. Fruits and vegetables include high levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Although fresh, raw fruits and vegetables or juices are optimal, you may eat them steamed, boiled, from a frozen package or from a can. Remember to limit your sugar intake by avoiding processed fruits that contain added sugars or syrups.
Protein
Protein is important to your body's ability to fight infection, maintain muscle strength, increase energy and promote healing. Traditional sources of protein include lean beef, lean chicken, lean turkey, fish and pork. Add dairy products to your chemotherapy diet for increased protein intake: Include hard or semisoft cheeses in your sandwiches; add milk to creamed sauces or soups; and eat cottage or ricotta cheese alone or with fruits or use it as an ingredient in pasta and dessert dishes.
References
- Chemocare: Eating Well During Chemotherapy: Managing Eating Problems
- OncologyChannel: How to Take Care of Yourself During Chemotherapy
- Chemocare: Eating Well During Chemotherapy: Cancer Diet: What Is a Good Diet?
- Chemocare: Eating Well During Chemotherapy: Managing Eating Problems: High Protein Diets for Chemo Patients
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