Any food guide for chemo patients concentrates on minimizing symptoms associated with undergoing chemotherapy while also maintaining proper nutrition. Eating nutrient-rich meals can keep up your strength while undergoing treatment and also lower your risks of further illness. Check with your doctor before starting any new meal plan, since all food guides differ according to individual cases.
Cleanliness
Any food guide for chemo patients needs to place cleanliness as a top priority. Chemo patients have compromised immune systems that need extra protection against harmful bacteria which may cause infections. Thoroughly wash your hands with hot water and soap prior to and after touching any food. Cleaning your hands thoroughly after touching eggs, fish, poultry and red meat is especially important. Dry your hands with paper towels, not cloth towels. In addition, thoroughly clean your cooking preparation area and items including cutting boards, counter tops, cooking utensils, silverware, pots and pans to avoid harmful bacteria. Instead of drying dishes with a cloth kitchen towel, allow air-drying.
Yogurt
Nausea is a common side effect of chemotherapy treatments. Any food guide for chemo patients needs to concentrate on consuming foods that can counteract this condition. Start eating yogurt to not only counteract nausea but to also enhance your immune system. Make certain you consume yogurt that contains live active cultures such as strepococcus thermophilus and lactobacillus bulgaricus. Stay away from sugar-laden yogurt, since sweet foods can increase nausea. Choosing plain, nonfat yogurt and adding your own fresh fruit offers the best alternative.
Low-Fat Cooking
Cooking your foods at home allows you more control over your nutritional content and overall food healthfulness. Food preparation methods either make or break a healthy food. Instead of using unhealthy, fat-laden cooking methods, opt for heart-healthy techniques that use low-fat preparation methods. Instead of frying, use lower-fat cooking methods such as sauteeing with vegetable or chicken broth, grilling, boiling, parboiling, broiling, steaming, poaching for fish or chicken, baking, roasting and stir-frying. Instead of using meat drippings to baste your meat, choose fat-free lemon juice or tomato juice.
Fatty Foods Alternatives
Getting the proper amount of protein is important for chemo patients. Fatty, greasy and fried foods can increase nausea. Choose lean protein sources over higher-fat sources. Eat skinless chicken breasts instead of dark meat. Choose low fat percentage ground meat, such as 93 percent instead of 80 percent varieties. When buying red meat, cut off excess fat or ask the butcher to remove it. Choose "select" or "choice" cuts instead of prime cuts. Choose cuts labeled as "loin" or "round" to save fat. Choose tenderloin cuts instead of chops. Remove poultry skin prior to cooking.
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