Cancer and Nutrition–Food to Fight Back and Support Your Body

Cancer Nutrition in Wooster

Good nutrition is an essential part of cancer care. Eating a well-balanced and healthy diet boosts the immune system, maintains energy levels, and supports your body’s ability to endure the rigors of cancer treatment.

Here are some key ways to consume the most beneficial diet as you work through your cancer care plan.

The Cancer Nutrition End Game

If you are under treatment for cancer, you, your oncologist, and your nutrition counselor should have some important goals, such as:

  • Increasing your energy levels, as both the illness itself, its treatments, and their side effects can be very fatiguing.
  • Maintaining your body weight and lean muscle mass because unintended weight loss and muscle wasting can be detrimental side effects of cancer treatment.
  • Boosting your immune system as your first and best line of defense against infections, which complicate cancer treatments and recovery.
  • Pushing fluids to minimize the risk of dehydration, which is so common among cancer patients.
  • Maintaining your appetite by choosing foods you like and are easily eaten, chewed, swallowed, and digested (cooked eggs and applesauce as examples).

Achieving Your Cancer Nutrition Goals

To achieve these important nutrition goals, plan to eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein sources, and healthy fats. Planning your meals and snacks in advance can help you stay on track and ensure you get all the calories and nutrients your body needs during this challenging time.

Additionally, stay really well-hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. Limit caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and cola drinks, as they actually may cause dehydration.

Ensure to listen to your body. Eat whenever you are hungry, as poor appetite is a common complaint cancer patients express.

As recommended by your nutritionist, break your total caloric intake into smaller, more frequent meals rather than three large ones. Eating small snacks throughout the day can also optimize your energy levels.

Include foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, dark leafy greens, and colorful vegetables. Antioxidants boost your immune system and fight the inflammation often developing during cancer treatment.

In addition, strictly limit processed and high-fat foods. These choices contribute to unhealthy weight gain and fatigue. So, avoid the snack aisle at the supermarket and the lure of quick, fast foods.

Finally, enlist the help of a registered dietitian or nutritionist who specializes in working with cancer patients. The instructor provides helpful guidelines and tips to boost your nutritional intake. Also, the instructor outlines the many benefits healthy food and hydration can have as you recover during your cancer treatment.

Foods Which Help You Fight Cancer

What you eat can help prevent and recover from cancer. In general, you should select foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, good fats, and lean protein.

While not strictly off-limits, dairy products can induce diarrhea and other gastrointestinal side effects, so choose them carefully. Sugar-free yogurt is a good option to get your daily dose of dairy.

As much as possible, cancer patients should incorporate the following foods into their diets:

  • Lean protein, such as poultry, tofu and fish
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables, such as berries, citrus fruits, and cruciform vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower)
  • Whole grain cereals, breads, and crackers, along with brown rice and quinoa
  • Healthy fats, such as avocados and olive oil

Additionally, strictly limit foods and drinks such as:

  • Alcoholic and carbonated/caffeinated/sugary beverages
  • Red meats–beef and lamb as examples
  • Processed meats, such as hot dogs and bacon

Cancer Care in Wooster, Ohio

At Wooster Community Hospital, our team of oncologists works closely with The James Cancer Network (JCN) to improve diagnostic and treatment methods for all our cancer patients. We offer patients a course that teaches them the importance of nutrition and how to eat nutritiously throughout cancer treatment. Our cancer team is here to support you along every step of your journey to wellness.

To learn more about how to eat well as you battle cancer or to schedule a consultation, call us today at (330) 287-2770 or use our appointment request form.

We look forward to serving you!