Diet - cancer treatment

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Diet - cancer treatment

Alternative Names:

Cancer treatment and nutrition
Side Effects:

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

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CHEWING AND SWALLOWING DIFFICULTY

Thick-consistency liquids such as milkshakes, or semi-solid foods like mashed potatoes and gravy may be easier to swallow and will not cause aspiration (inhaling food).

PAIN, NAUSEA, VOMITING, DIARRHEA

Eating a meal immediately before or after the administration of the treatment may ease these symptoms.

The patient's position while eating may also contribute to these symptoms.

TASTE ALTERATIONS AND AVERSIONS

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

BODY WEIGHT LOSS AND MUSCLE WASTING

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

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Some cancer patients become unable to digest dairy products, which is called lactose intolerance. Symptoms include bloating, gas, and diarrhea immediately after eating lactose-containing foods.