Although a nutritious diet is the basis for a healthy, disease-free lifestyle, it is equally important for someone undergoing treatment for lung cancer. Fatigue and loss of appetite are common in lung cancer patients. For others, food may be a source of comfort and the patient may struggle to refrain from unhealthy food choices that may cause weight gain and unwelcome side effects. For all cancer patients, nutrition is an ongoing challenge. Proper nutrition supplies the body with the nutrients and energy it needs to repair and heal, as well as recover from the side effects of cancer treatment.
Step 1
Choose immune-enhancing foods. Eat a plant-based diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Avoid foods high in saturated fats that compromise the immune system.
Step 2
Locate sources for locally grown food. Buy organic produce whenever possible. Wash produce carefully to remove any remaining pesticides and chemicals used to prevent spoilage.
Step 3
Drink green tea. Smokers who consume 4 cups of green tea daily experienced a decrease in DNA damage, according to a study in the August 2008 "Journal of Nutrition."
Step 4
Emphasize dark green leafy vegetables that are rich in carotenoids, phytochemicals that fight free radicals and may inhibit the growth of lung cancer cells.
Step 5
Consult with a registered dietitian. Ask a professional nutritionist to help develop a diet plan specific to your health needs. Give your physician permission to discuss your health status and answer any questions your nutritionist may have.
Tips and Warnings
- Some nonprofit organizations may offer free nutritional advice for cancer patients. Ask your physician for a referral to a local agency, or check online for nonprofit cancer research groups for additional information.
