Your colon, or large intestine, plays an important role in your digestive system. If you have colon cancer, it means that cancerous cells have formed in your colon and may spread to other body areas. While colon cancer should never be treated through dietary changes alone, a healthy diet may work well with chemotherapy and other treatment forms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Healthy foods also promote strength during recovery and may help prevent complications.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide rich amounts of antioxidants -- nutrients that help your body protect itself from toxins associated with cancer and other illnesses, including infections that may interfere with cancer treatment and recovery. Since having cancer increases your risk for secondary cancers, the American Cancer Society recommends that all cancer patients consume a variety of foods rich in antioxidants daily. Fruits and vegetables particularly rich in protective nutrients include berries, cherries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, kiwi, red grapes, mango, leafy greens, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and winter squash. If your appetite is reduced, you may find fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies more palatable.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish, such as salmon, albacore tuna, herring, lake trout, flounder, halibut and sardines, supply rich amounts of protein and beneficial nutrients. Protein enhances tissue repair and physical strength and may help prevent or reverse lean tissue loss associated with colon cancer. Fatty fish are also prime sources of omega-3 fatty acids -- essential fats that reduce inflammation and may help reduce the growth of colon cancer cells, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. For heightened benefits, choose fatty fish over red meat -- a protein source linked with colon cancer -- most often. Healthy cooking methods include grilling atop nonstick cooking spray, baking, broiling and steaming.
Grains
Grains provide glucose -- your body's main dietary source of energy. If your doctor has suggested a low-fiber or low-residue diet to temporarily reduce the amounts of undigested food and stool in your digestive tract, the American Cancer Society recommends white bread, plain pasta, pretzels and low-fiber cereals as valuable options. Otherwise, 100 percent whole-grain breads, cold cereals and pasta, brown and wild rice, quinoa, oatmeal, pearled barley and air-popped popcorn are valuable sources of fiber and antioxidants.
Fluids
Dehydration can cause tiredness, confusion, fatigue and low moods -- symptoms you may already be faced with during colon cancer treatment. Cancer treatment side effects, such as vomiting and diarrhea, increase your risk for dehydration. For this reason, the American Cancer Society recommends that cancer patients aim for sufficient fluid intake. Valuable sources include water, pure fruit and vegetable juices, herbal tea, kefir and low-fat milk. In addition to promoting hydration, milk and kefir supply valuable amounts of protein and nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D. Healthy bacteria in kefir known as probiotics promote digestive health.
