Good nutrition is a key part of keeping your body strong and healthy when you have brain cancer. Cancer and its treatments can affect your appetite and make it difficult to eat well. A healthy diet can improve your energy levels, help your body heal faster from surgery, boost your immune system and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Nausea and Vomiting
Brain cancer and its treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy may cause nausea and vomiting. If you experience this, try eating small amounts of easily-digestible foods throughout the day, such as crackers and dry toast. To maintain adequate hydration, sip on small amounts of clear liquids, including water, sports drinks, apple juice, grape juice, tea or broth. As nausea and vomiting subside, you can start incorporating such things as cereal, applesauce, bananas, yogurt and lean sources of protein such as chicken and turkey. Avoid anything spicy, strong-smelling, high in fat or overly sweet. All can worsen nausea and vomiting.
Fatigue
Fatigue is also common for people with brain cancer due to the cancer itself, treatments, medications or poor nutrition. With extreme fatigue, it can be difficult to find enough energy to eat. Keep ready-to-eat foods easily accessible so you can use your energy eating foods rather than preparing them. Accept meals from friends and family members who offer help, and freeze leftovers in individual portions for a convenient meal in the future. Be aware of your energy levels throughout the day. Capitalize on the times of the day when your energy is best and eat small meals and snacks frequently.
Taste Changes
Taste changes can be a side effect of chemotherapy. To counter an overly sweet taste, add salt to your foods. If the taste is too salty or bitter, add sugar. If you experience a metallic taste in your mouth, avoid canned foods and use plastic utensils, not silverware. Brushing your teeth frequently can help remove an unpleasant taste. Before meals, try using a homemade mouthwash. Combine 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. baking soda with 1 qt. of water. Swish this solution around in your mouth, then spit it out.
Weight Loss
Weight loss commonly accompanies the many side effects of brain cancer and its treatments. Losing too much weight can weaken you and make it difficult to perform your daily activities. If you are losing weight, try eating six to eight small meals and snacks throughout the day. Eating frequently can increase the amount of your daily calories. If foods are unappealing, try drinking high-calorie, high-protein canned nutrition shakes as a source of good nutrition. Add extra cheese, gravy, butter or sauces to your foods to increase calories.
