During chemotherapy treatment, you have to maintain a healthy diet to allow your body to heal. The chemotherapy medications can cause side effects that can make it difficult to eat. Planning a diet that allows you to get sufficient calories, protein and other nutrients while dealing with the complications of chemotherapy like loss of appetite, mouth sores, and nausea and vomiting can be challenging. Your physician and dietitian can help you make good food choices and assist you during your recovery.
Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables
Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is an important part of your diet while you are undergoing chemotherapy. These foods contain vitamins and antioxidants, which are necessary to help your body repair itself after the stress of chemotherapy and the cancer itself. You should try to eat between 7 to 9 servings each day, according to NetWellness.org. Eating fruits and vegetables may also lessen any problems with constipation you may experience; however, you should be sure to wash them well to lower the risk of a food-borne illness.
Decrease the Amount of Salt, Sugar and Fat
While maintaining your calorie intake is vital to successfully managing chemotherapy, you should try to cut back on the amount of salt, sugar and fat that you eat. Salty foods may be painful to eat if you have developed mouth sores. Foods with refined sugar can affect blood glucose levels. Consumption of foods that contain significant amounts of fat can be controversial when you are taking chemotherapy medications. Many health care professionals suggest that you lower the number of fatty foods that you eat; however, these foods contain more calories than other foods and may help you maintain your calorie intake. Adding extra fat to the foods you do eat may be a way to add more calories while keeping the overall fat intake down. You should also eat low-fat dairy products and leaner cuts of meat. You should discuss the amount of fatty foods you should consume daily with your doctor or dietitian.
Add Extra Calories and Protein as Needed
You need extra calories and protein while you are taking chemotherapy. At times, you may not feel like eating full meals so you need to maximize the foods that you are able to eat. Boosting the caloric or protein content of your diet is not very complicated and can also add additional flavor as well. To add extra calories, you can add sour cream, butter, whipped cream and whole milk to soups, vegetables, sauces, rices and desserts. Dried fruits and granola can add calories to home-baked goods. Milk, cheese, eggs, nuts, seeds and beans can be used to add extra protein to your meals. Yogurt, frozen yogurt and ice cream can also be added to beverages.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Fluids are also an important part of a diet for people who are on chemotherapy. Specific chemotherapy treatments may require that you drink more fluids; side effects like vomiting or diarrhea may also mean that you need to drink more fluids to avoid dehydration. Fluids that may be better tolerated include diluted juices, sports drinks, herbal teas and water. Other fluids include any food that is liquid at room temperature like cream soups, ice cream and popsicles. Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol because they can dehydrate you.
Keep Snacks on Hand
Snacking between meals is a much more acceptable practice during chemotherapy treatment than under normal circumstances. You may often find yourself unable to eat at regular meal times, but may be hungry at different times. You should keep snacks on hand at all times. Some snacks that can help you keep up your calorie intake include applesauce, butter popcorn, nuts, granola, trail mix, pudding and yogurt. Cheese or bean dip with pretzels or crackers are also nutritious snacks that you can eat while on the go. Eating while taking chemotherapy requires the ability to adapt under the supervision of your doctor or dietitian.
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