Protein is an essential component of a healthy diet. The protein that you eat gives your body the materials it needs to build and repair cells. Protein is also a component of your body's hormones, skin, muscles and organs. Lung cancer and its treatments increase stress in the body, which increases protein requirements. Getting enough protein in your diet can help keep your immune system strong, decrease the risk of infection and preserve your muscle mass, according to the American Cancer Society.
Protein Requirements
People with lung cancer require between 0.54 to 0.91 g of protein per pound of body weight per day. Whether your protein needs are at the lower end or the upper end of the recommended range depends on the amount of stress your body is experiencing. For example, a person with lung cancer who is healing from surgery and is undergoing cancer treatments will require more protein than a person with lung cancer who did not have surgery and is not undergoing cancer treatments.
Dietary Sources of Protein
Meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products, including milk, cheese and yogurt, are excellent sources of protein because they contain all of the essential amino acids, or building blocks for protein. Nuts, seeds, legumes and grain products, such as cereal, bread, rice and pasta, also contain dietary protein, but they are considered incomplete proteins because they do not contain all of the essential amino acids. However, when two incomplete proteins, such as rice and beans, are paired, they complement one another to create a complete protein.
Tips for Increasing Protein
To increase the amount of protein in your diet, include a serving of protein with each meal and snack. Add powdered milk to hot cereal, scrambled eggs, cream-based soups, smoothies, milkshakes, sauces, gravies, casseroles and meatloaf to increase protein content. Adding shredded cheese to your foods can also increase your protein intake. If many foods sound unappealing to you, commercial canned nutrition shakes are another source of high-quality protein.
Professional Resources
If you have questions about your diet and the amount of protein you should be eating, consult with a registered dietitian. Registered dietitians are trained to assess a person's nutritional status and create individualized eating plans. A registered dietitian will take into consideration any other medical conditions you may have and help you optimize your nutritional intake. Eating too much protein can put stress on your kidneys, so discuss any protein supplements with a registered dietitian or your doctor prior to use.
References
- Medline Plus: Protein in Diet
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan, et al.; 2000
- American Cancer Society: Nutrition for the Person With Cancer During Treatment: A Guide for Patients and Families
