The American Cancer Society has developed dietary guidelines for cancer survivors that include healthy fats, lean protein and foods rich in antioxidants. Because side effects of chemotherapy, such as loss of appetite, can lead to poor nutrition and the increased risk of infection, dietary tips for cancer patients include helpful strategies to combat these effects, such as eating toast or crackers or adding spices and sauces to meals.
Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants that fight harmful free radicals in the body. Although scientific research is inconclusive, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer reoccurring and increase the chance of survival, according to a report published in "A Cancer Journal for Clinicians" by experts convened by the American Cancer Society in 2003. No one fruit or vegetable is as beneficial as eating a wide variety of deeply-colored nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables that act in synergy to reduce cancer risk.
Lean Protein
Cancer survivors are advised to limit consumption of red meat and processed meats, such as sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers, ham and bacon, that increase the risk of colorectal, prostate and stomach cancers, according to the ACS. Choose instead plant protein from beans, seeds and nuts and fish protein from tuna, salmon or mackerel. Beans and whole grains provide not only protein, but healthy fiber as well. Soy products also contain protein, but because high doses of soy can cause certain breast cancers to spread, only moderate doses of soy are advised for this type of cancer patient.
Healthy Fats
Although ACS's panel of nutrition experts in 2003 found no relationship between fat intake and cancer survival or recurrence, eating healthy unsaturated fats is encouraged for cancer patients. A diet high in saturated fats increases calorie intake and can lead to obesity, which increases the risk, not only of cardiovascular diseases, but of cancer reoccurring after treatment and a shorter survival rate. Choose instead unsaturated fats found in cold-water fish, nuts, soybean products, olives, avocados, flaxseed, and flaxseed oil and cook with vegetable oils, such as sunflower oil or safflower oil rather than butter or trans fat -- hydrogenated -- oils.
Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Eating bland foods, such as crackers or toast, throughout the day can help with nausea and vomiting, as well as lying down after eating or rinsing your mouth frequently. If your appetite is low, try eating more frequent and smaller meals with appealing odors. Add more spices and sauces than you usually would to combat the off-flavors of food that chemotherapy can cause. If food has a metallic taste, use plastic utensils and ceramic cookware. Don't eat raw foods, such as bean sprouts and sushi, to avoid intestinal parasites and bacteria dangerous to a compromised immune system. Limit alcohol to one drink daily if you are a woman, and two daily if you are a man, advises the ACS. If you have diarrhea, Karen Wagner, clinical dietitian at the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania and nutrition consultant Jaimie Bornstein advise avoiding sugar-free foods made with sorbitol and limiting dairy products.
References
- American Cancer Society: Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: Answers to Common Questions
- Cancer Journal for Clinicians: Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: An American Cancer Society Guide for Informed Choices
- Harvard School of Public Health: Fats and Cholesterol: Out With the Bad, In With the Good
- Today's Dietitian: Nutrition Management During Chemotherapy
- University of California San Francisco Medical Center: Coping with Chemotherapy
