Diet - cancer treatment

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Cancer treatment and nutrition

The side effects of common cancer therapies vary by the treatment and the area of the body undergoing treatment. The following are some side effects and helpful suggestions. They do not replace, but rather aid, drugs used to relieve these symptoms.

CHEWING AND SWALLOWING DIFFICULTY

Thick liquids such as milkshakes or semisolid foods like mashed potatoes and gravy may be easier to swallow and are less likely to cause aspiration (inhaling food).

PAIN, NAUSEA, VOMITING, DIARRHEA

Eating a meal immediately before or after the treatment may ease symptoms. Your position while eating may also contribute to symptoms.

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TASTE CHANGES AND AVERSIONS

• Avoid foods with strong odors.
• Eat bland foods. Avoid strong flavors like spices, acidic foods, and sour-tasting foods.
• Eat cold foods. Avoid hot or warm foods.
• If you are experiencing severe nausea, avoid your favorite foods. Eating a food during severe bouts of nausea may cause you to develop an aversion to it.

BODY WEIGHT LOSS AND MUSCLE WASTING

• Add diced meat or cheese to sauces, vegetables, soups, and casseroles.
• Add extra eggs or egg whites to foods. Never use raw eggs. They may be contaminated with salmonella, which is dangerous for everyone but especially those who are immune-suppressed. Raw eggs also contain a vitamin binder.
• Add powdered milk to foods and beverages.
• Consider using commercially available nutritional supplements. Make your own high-calorie shake by adding an instant breakfast drink mix to milk, fruit, cookies, peanut butter, or other favorite mixers.
• Drink high-calorie beverages such as juices, milk, or sweetened drinks.
• Eat smaller, but more frequent meals.
• If you are unable to digest fat, talk to your health care provider about alternative fat sources. Supplements containing medium-chain triglycerides are often recommended for this purpose.
• Increase fats in the diet to increase energy consumption, if you are tolerating fats. Add margarine or butter to breads and vegetables. Add gravies and sauces to foods in large amounts.
• Increase protein and calories in the diet.
• Snack throughout the day on calorie-dense foods such as nuts, hard candy, and dried fruits.