Diet is one of the few things you can control during cancer treatment, and it is not a minor factor. It is key both to optimize your body's response to therapy and to facilitate your subsequent recovery. And although the disease can affect your appetite and cause side effects that compromise your nutrition, a healthy diet can help mitigate them and strengthen the immune system's ability to fight your diagnosis.
From the Astorga Oncology Clinic we offer you a guide that, together with the instructions of your specialist, will allow you to properly manage your diet during cancer treatment and adapt it to your specific needs. Remember that each step you take towards better nutrition contributes to improving your quality of life during this bitter process.
Nutritional needs during cancer treatment
In the context of nutrition for cancer patients, the concept of “healthy” can vary. It is often necessary to adopt a diet other than the conventional one to achieve our goal: to maintain a stable weight and overcome the side effects of treatment. You will need to consume more protein and more calories, as well as milk, eggs and other foods that are not always recommended in diets for people in good health. Accepting this challenge is essential.
We are aware that treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological immunotherapy and/or surgery can reduce your appetite, cause emotional lows and adverse effects that make it difficult to get adequate nutrition (such as sore mouth, nausea, diarrhea, loss of taste, constipation, and problems chewing or swallowing food), increasing the risk of weakness or malnutrition. However, the assistance of a specialist who designs a specialized nutrition plan will be essential to maintain the reserves of strength, defenses and energy necessary to face your therapies.
All cancer patients are different
It is impossible to predict whether you will experience eating difficulties or whether they will be severe. Each patient responds differently. The likelihood of facing these challenges will depend on several factors, such as the type of cancer, the therapy you receive, its duration, and the doses administered. Therefore, it is important that your specialist design a nutrition plan during cancer treatment especially for you, monitor the foods you eat and any possible nutritional problems that may arise during the process.
Consider this guide as a general resource that, after consulting with your doctor, can provide you with valuable information to follow.
Nutrition for cancer patients: general guidelines
In general, your cancer treatment diet should be high in calories (to maintain your weight), protein (to rebuild cancer-damaged tissue), vitamins, minerals, and fluids (important for your body to function), including:
Milk, cream, and cheese
Cooked eggs
Sauces and dressings
Butter, margarine, and oil
It also helps to follow the following recommendations shared by the National Cancer Institute (NIH) regarding nutrition for cancer patients.
It's normal for your appetite to fluctuate during cancer treatment. If you're really hungry in the morning, take advantage of that and drink nutritional supplements later in the day.
You may not be able to tolerate varying foods frequently. Eat whatever you feel like eating and supplement with nutritional supplements if you need to. Keep at it until your tolerance increases.
It's normal for there to be days when you don't feel like eating. You can look for other ways to feed yourself, such as additional nutritional supplements. Don't forget to talk to your doctor.
It's important to stay hydrated, especially on days when you can't eat. Doing so will give your body the fluid it needs. Try to drink eight to twelve glasses of water or clear liquids a day (broth, fruit or vegetable juice, tea, soda, milk or milkshake, sports drinks, and even sweets like ice cream and gelatin).
With a cancer diagnosis, the body has a hard time fighting infections. Absolute food hygiene is key: clean and scrub food and vegetables, cook food well, refrigerate at a good temperature, try to have juices and dairy products pasteurized.
Calories in diet for cancer patients
Typically, diet during cancer treatment includes increasing the consumption of products that may not be considered healthy. However, this nutritional adjustment is applied only while the side effects of the treatment persist, which (as we have already explained) usually compromise the diet or reduce the appetite.
Once hunger returns, it is necessary to stop eating or consume less than usual. That is why specialized medical follow-up is important.
Below, we share a list of foods recommended by the American Cancer Society and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
List of High Protein Foods
Dairy Products
Try cheese on toast or crackers. Sprinkle grated cheese on baked potatoes, vegetables, soups, pasta, meats, and fruits.
Use milk instead of water to make hot cereals and soups. Add creamy or cheese sauces to your vegetables and pastas.
Add powdered milk to creamy soups, mashed potatoes, puddings, and casseroles. Stir Greek yogurt, whey protein powder, or cottage cheese into your favorite fruits, smoothies, or shakes.
Eggs
Keep hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator. Slice them and add them to salads, casseroles, soups, and vegetables.
Make egg salads, and make sure all eggs are thoroughly cooked to avoid dangerous bacteria. Pasteurized egg substitutes are a good low-fat alternative to traditional eggs.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish
Your diet during cancer treatment should include meat, poultry, and fish. Add leftover meat to soups, stews, salads, and omelets.
Combine cooked meat, either diced or shredded, with sour cream and spices to create sauces.
Beans, Legumes, Nuts and Seeds
Sprinkle seeds or nuts on desserts like fruit, ice cream, puddings, and custards. You can also add them to vegetables, salads, and pasta. Spread peanut or almond butter on toast and fruit or add it to milkshakes.
Protein in the diet during cancer treatments
Butter
Melt a little butter on your potatoes, rice, pasta, and vegetables. You can also add it to your soups and stews to enrich their flavor, or spread it on bread before making your sandwich.
Dairy products
Raise the level of your desserts and breakfasts by adding whipped cream or whipped cream to crepes, pancakes, fritters, fruit, or that comforting hot chocolate.
Don't forget to incorporate it into your soups and stews for a creamier texture. And for a baked potato or vegetables, nothing like a touch of sour cream.
Salad dressings
Opt for regular mayonnaise and dressings, rather than low-fat versions, to add flavor and texture to your salads and sandwiches. These also work with fruits and vegetables.
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Food supplements for cancer patients undergoing treatment
Hydration is essential during cancer treatment. But if you find it difficult to consume enough fluids, nutritional supplements may be a good option.
These products, in powder or liquid form, provide you with essential nutrients and extra calories. However, it is important to consult your doctor or nutritionist before starting any supplement, as the most appropriate dose and type will depend on your individual needs.
If you want to use them in your diet during cancer treatment, these are the guidelines you should follow:
Soft, unflavored drinks used as a base for shakes. Lactose- and gluten-free.
Flavored or sweetened drinks that can be used as a base for shakes, for example, Ensure or Boots from Nestlé. Lactose- and gluten-free.
Low-sugar, dairy- and gluten-free drinks.
Fruit-flavored drinks. Fat-, lactose-, and gluten-free.
Flavored milk-based powders. They contain lactose and you need to check the amount of fat per serving according to the brand.
Unflavored supplements to mix with drinks or wet foods.
Organic gluten-free and soy-free nutritional shakes.
Eating and drinking enough: the keys
During treatment, your body needs extra energy. Although your appetite may vary, there will be days when you don't feel like snacking and others when you'll fill up quickly. By making small adjustments, you can optimize your diet and feel stronger.
Eat frequently: divide your meals into smaller portions and enjoy 6 to 8 mini-meals a day.
Prioritize calories: opt for high-calorie foods and drinks, such as shakes, smoothies, and nutritious snacks.
Cook what you like or find appealing. It doesn't matter if you eat an omelet for lunch or “breakfast” for dinner.
By listening to your body and adapting your diet, you will be closer to feeling good and facing this process with energy.
We hope that our dietary recommendations for cancer patients have helped you, don't forget to check out our post on prohibited foods during cancer to learn more about it.
Improve your tolerance to cancer treatment with specialized care
At the Astorga Oncology Clinic, your fight against cancer is supported by a multidisciplinary team of experts. We offer personalized and cutting-edge cancer treatments, backed by the most advanced technology in Latin America. Our commitment is to provide you with the best care, accompanying you every step of your way with empathy and closeness.
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