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The foods people eat can have a profound impact on their day. Foods that contain the array of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbs, and healthy fats a body needs can provide fuel throughout the day. A diet deficient in such beneficiary ingredients can make people feel sluggish in the short-term and even compromise their long-term health.
While the hallmarks of a healthy diet do not necessarily differ for people based on age and other variables, the National Cancer Institute notes that people with cancer may need to follow diets that are a little less conventionally healthy. These dietary tips, courtesy of the NCI, can help cancer patients navigate diet during treatment.
• Recognize you may need extra protein and calories. Strength is a helpful ally when receiving cancer treatment, and that extra fortitude can come from diet. The NCI notes patients may need to consume some extra protein and calories to help combat the side effects of treatment. Patients, particularly people with preexisting conditions, are urged to speak with their health care teams, including their primary care physician, before making any changes to their diets. But the NCI suggests people who can might want to include more meat, fish, eggs, dairy, fats, and plant-based proteins in their diets.
• Shop differently. It's not only what people being treated for cancer eat that merits a different approach, but also what they shop for and how they shop. The NCI recommends stocking up on foods that require little or no cooking. Fatigue is a common side effect of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and patients may not have the energy to prepare healthy meals each night. Stocking up on healthy fare that does not require lots of prep and cook time can ensure patients don't resort to quick but unhealthy options at the last minute. It also can help if patients begin using shop-from-home and delivery services that are now offered by many grocery stores.
• Cook ahead of time. It can be helpful for cancer patients to cook meals ahead of time. This ensures nutritious foods will be on hand on treatment days, when patients may lack the energy to prepare and cook meals. Freeze meals, if necessary, so all that needs to be done come meal time is some defrosting and heating up.
• Lean on easily digested foods. The NCI advises patients stock up on easy-to-digest foods. Nausea is a common side effect of cancer treatments, and patients encountering nausea should prioritize foods that are easy on the stomach in an effort to alleviate such discomfort. Snacks like pretzels, saltine crackers, and tender, well-cooked vegetables are easily digested and should not exacerbate nausea. Come meal time, the NCI recommends skinless chicken or turkey that is baked or broiled, plain pasta, potatoes, and refined cold cereals.
Conventional dietary wisdom may not apply when being treated for cancer. Patients must still emphasize nutrient-rich foods, but they may need to tweak their cooking, shopping, and snacking habits to make things easier on themselves during treatment.