If you or a loved one is undergoing chemotherapy, nutritious food is vital to keeping the body strong and better able to fight off infections and tolerate side effects of the regimen. Unfortunately, these side affects can include loss of appetite, nausea, oral sores and diarrhea, all of which make eating difficult. While undergoing chemotherapy choose foods that are high in calories and protein, inoffensive in smell and flavor, nutrient dense and easily consumed.
High-Calorie Foods
Cancer can increase your calorie needs due to the growing demands of the cancer cells on your body's resources, as described by Puccio and Nathanson in "Seminars in Oncology." At the same time, you may have a poor appetite as a side effect of chemotherapy. The result of these two factors combined is weight loss. To combat losing weight during chemotherapy, choose full fat dairy products such as ice cream and butter, use sauces and gravies to coat meat and sip on fruit juices or sports drinks instead of water.
High-Protein Foods
Consuming enough protein while undergoing chemotherapy is important to preserve muscle mass, especially if you have a secondary diagnosis of cancer cachexia, a form of muscle wasting. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds and legumes are protein-rich foods you can include in your diet as tolerated to combat muscle loss. You can also utilize off-the-shelf nutrition drinks such as Ensure or Boost to supplement protein if solid food isn't appetizing.
Nutrient-Dense Foods
Fatigue and loss of appetite are common during chemotherapy, and eating can become a chore. As you'll likely be consuming less, try to choose a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods to maintain your vitamin and mineral stores during chemotherapy. Dark green leafy vegetables, dairy products, eggs, whole grains, fish, poultry and starchy vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, are all nutrient dense foods worth trying in your diet during treatment. The key is variety and an emphasis on fruits and vegetables as more healthful food choices.
Inoffensive Foods
Altered taste and smell are potential side effects of chemotherapy, according to the National Cancer Institute. If you or your loved one has altered taste or smell during chemotherapy, try eating food cold or choosing bland foods. Milk shakes, fruit juice smoothies, applesauce, puddings, yogurt and mashed potatoes may be well tolerated. Experimentation is key. Continue to try a variety of foods during treatment, as a food that was offensive yesterday may not be today.
Easy-to-Eat Foods and Appetite
Keep ready-prepared foods, such as prepackaged puddings and yogurt, trail mix or cubes of cheese, on hand throughout the day, as your appetite may be fleeting during chemotherapy. Also, try to eat smaller, more frequent meals and place more of these meals in the morning, as it is more common to experience aversion to food and loss of appetite as the day progresses. Avoid drinking at meals, as this can reduce appetite; instead, sip fluids between meals throughout the day.
References
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy," 11th Ed.; Medical Nutrition Therapy for Cancer Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery; Barbara Eldrige; 2004
- "Seminars in Oncology"; The Cancer Cachexia Syndrome; M. Puccio and L. Nathanson; June 1997
- "CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians"; Nutrition During and After Cancer Treatment: A Guide for Informed Choices by Cancer Survivors; Jean Brown, et al.; May/June 2001
- National Cancer Institute: Effects of Cancer Treatment on Nutrition
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