Good nutrition is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. For people with esophageal cancer, getting adequate nutrition can be a challenge. According to the American Cancer Association, eating well while undergoing cancer treatments can give your body the nutrition it needs to keep you healthy while fighting cancer. Good nutrition can help strengthen your immune system, prevent excessive weight loss, improve energy levels, and help your body heal faster from surgery and cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Nutrition Challenges With Esophageal Cancer
Getting adequate nutrition can be particularly challenging for people with esophageal cancer because swallowing is often difficult. The tumor itself may cause a narrowing of the esophagus, making it more difficult to swallow foods. Additionally, side effects of cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy, can result in a sore and irritated throat, making it difficult to eat. Some people can get adequate nutrition by eating, however, according to the National Cancer Institute, other people with esophageal cancer may need supplemental nutrition. The supplemental nutrition can be delivered directly to a vein, or you may need a feeding tube placed in the stomach to receive the nutrition you need. Supplemental nutrition can help you get the nutrition you need until you are able to eat enough on your own.
Foods to Try
Foods that are soft, moist, and lukewarm to cool in temperature are usually the easiest to swallow. It may take some trial and error to finds the foods that work best, but some foods to try include yogurt, pudding, canned fruit, smoothies, milkshakes, mashed potatoes and gravy, cooked cereals, scrambled eggs, canned high-calorie, high-protein nutrition shakes and soups. Cream-based soups are often higher in protein and calories than a broth-based soup, which will give you more nutrition. Try adding extra gravies and sauces to foods. This will make the foods easier to swallow, and will also add extra calories to aid in weight maintenance.
Foods to Limit
Although everyone's body is different, certain foods commonly cause discomfort for esophageal cancer patients who are undergoing treatment. Foods that are dry, rough, acidic, spicy, or either very hot or very cold in temperature can further irritate an already-sore throat. Examples of foods that often cause discomfort include citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit; acidic vegetables, such as tomatoes; salsas and other spicy foods; dry crackers; cereals; and chips.
Additional Nutrition Tips
Try to eat six small meals and snacks throughout the day. At times, you may not be able to eat large amounts of food at one time due to fatigue or pain, so eating frequently throughout the day can help ensure you are getting the nutrition you need.
Consult with a registered dietitian. A registered dietitian is trained to assess your nutritional status, and can help you put together a personalized nutrition plan. Consult with your doctor before taking any vitamin or mineral supplements. Excessive antioxidant supplements could possibly interfere with radiation therapy but additional research needs to be done for conclusive results.
