High-calorie diets often play a key role in maintaining strength and stamina during and after cancer treatment. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center defines a high calorie diet as a means to maintain or gain weight in cancer patients at risk or suffering from complications of anorexia and malnutrition. It is important to recognize the role of the nutritionist in the oncology team, as not all cancer patients will require such intensive caloric intake. Food intake and cancer can mean the difference between life and death. Some cancers can even progress with certain foods, making it imperative to consult a licensed oncology professional prior to embarking on a new diet.
Dairy and Non-Dairy Fats
Fats play an integral role in recovery from cancer treatments. For a high calorie diet these fats can come from dairy such as milk, butter and cream products, cheeses or sour cream. They may also come from fatty fruits such as avocado, nuts or mayonnaise-laden or oil-based salad dressings and dips. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center recommends adding these products to foods to increase caloric intake at every meal or snack.
Fats from Gravies and Sauces
Gravies and sauces are not only recommended by the Oral Cancer Foundation for added caloric intake, but for the ease of swallowing and palatability of food. Adding liquids, especially gravies and sauces made from flour, butter and grease can load the calories while lending moisture or softness to foods being swallowed. Individuals that suffer from side effects such as dry mouth or sore mouth conditions may additionally benefit from the added flavor as well as by lubricating the foods before attempting to swallow them.
Sugars
Sugars can also boost the caloric intake when added to cookie mixes, cake mixes, pancakes, muffins and quickbreads. The National Cancer Institute suggests using only pasteurized honey, dried fruits, granola and puddings to foods to provide extra calories to prepared foods. Toast, bagels, waffles and french toast may also benefit from jellies, jams, nut butters and so forth for the most sugar benefits. Some cancers can progress with sugar intake so this is an area where the expertise of a nutritionist is highly recommended.
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements such as Ensure, Boost or Carnation Instant Breakfast are generally sold in liquid form and have the consistency of a lightweight shake. These products may be supplemented on their own to replace meals and snacks for patients with swallowing difficulties, can be substituted for liquids in prepared foods or can be blended with fruits, ice cream, milk, soy, yogurt and heavy whipping cream for extra calories in a shake or smoothie. The American Cancer Society suggests that for those without swallowing difficulties, there are also nutritional supplement bars and puddings available in many stores that serve in the same capacity for added calories.
References
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Good Nutrition for the Patients with Cancer
- Oral Cancer Foundation: Nutrition During Treatment
- National Cancer Institute: Eating Hints, Before During and After Cancer Treatments
- American Cancer Society: Nutrition for the Person with Cancer During Treatment
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