People with cancer often need more protein than usual. After surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, extra protein is usually needed to heal tissues and help fight infection. Good sources of protein include fish, poultry, lean red meat, eggs, low-fat dairy products, nuts and nut butters, dried beans, peas and lentils, and soy foods.
What foods should I focus on eating during cancer treatment?
- Focus on vegetables. For the healthiest juices, include more vegetables than fruits. ...
- Drink only what you’d eat. Juice packs a lot of nutrition — and calories — in a smaller volume than whole food. ...
- Drink juice with protein, and a little bit of fat. ...
- Avoid overdoing it on the same foods and nutrients. ...
- Vary how you’re consuming the same vegetables and fruit. ...
What should you eat before your treatment for cancer?
- Genistein, daidzein or equol supplements
- Multivitamins
- Propolis supplements
- Vitamin A supplements
What is the best diet after cancer treatment?
- Exercise. Regular exercise increases your sense of well-being after cancer treatment and can speed your recovery.
- Eat a balanced diet. Vary your diet to include lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains. ...
- Maintain a healthy weight. ...
- Rest well. ...
- Reduce stress. ...
- Stop using tobacco. ...
- Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. ...
- Do what you can. ...
What foods should you avoid during chemotherapy?
What to avoid during chemotherapy
- Foods that affect CYP enzymes. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are molecules that promote the metabolism and absorption of chemotherapy drugs into the blood.
- Overexertion. Some of the common effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, nausea, and mood changes. ...
- Interacting with people who have infections. ...
- Smoking. ...
- Drinking alcohol. ...
- Undercooked or raw food. ...
What are the best foods to eat during cancer treatment?
Diet for Cancer Patients During ChemotherapyPlain or Fruited yogurt.Fresh fruit and cottage cheese.Poached egg and toast.Toasted bagel with a small amount of peanut butter.Cereal and milk (try Lactaid® milk, or Soy milk, if lactose intolerant)Chicken rice soup with saltine crackers.
What Should cancer patients eat during chemotherapy?
10 Foods to Eat During ChemotherapyOatmeal. Oatmeal provides numerous nutrients that can help your body during chemo. ... Avocado. ... Eggs. ... Broth. ... Almonds and other nuts. ... Pumpkin seeds. ... Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables. ... Homemade smoothies.More items...•
What are the dietary guidelines of the American Cancer Society?
A healthy eating pattern includes: Foods that are high in nutrients in amounts that help you get to and stay at a healthy body weight. A variety of vegetables – dark green, red and orange, fiber-rich legumes (beans and peas), and others. Fruits, especially whole fruits in a variety of colors.
What is the recommended diet for cancer patients?
Limit high-calorie foods such as pizza, fried foods, foods made with cheese or cream, and desserts. Choose lower calorie foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, baked or grilled poultry and fish, and beans. Eat higher fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans to help you feel more full.
What cancer patients should not eat?
What foods should you avoid during cancer treatment?Lightly cooked or raw fish, such as sushi.Soft-cooked eggs or foods that contain raw eggs, such as homemade mayonnaise.Unpasteurized cheeses and dairy products.Unwashed fruits or vegetables.
What to eat to stop cancer from spreading?
Foods such as broccoli, berries, and garlic showed some of the strongest links to cancer prevention. They're low in calories and fat and power-packed with phytochemicals and antioxidants that may help reduce your cancer risk.
Does dairy increase your risk of cancer?
People who consumed dairy products regularly had significantly greater risks of developing liver and breast cancer. For each 50g/day intake, the risk increased by 12% and 17% respectively. Regular dairy consumption was associated with an increased risk of lymphoma (though this was not statistically significant).
Does eating vegetables reduce cancer risk?
Studies suggest that people who eat more vegetables and fruits, which are rich sources of antioxidants, may have a lower risk for some types of cancer.
Do beans cause cancer?
Populations with high legume (peas, beans, lentils) consumption have a low risk of cancer and chronic degenerative diseases. Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are known as a rich, reliable source of non-digested compounds like fiber, phenolics, peptides and phytochemicals that are associated with health benefits.
What foods worsen cancer?
Cancer causing foodsProcessed meat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is “convincing evidence” that processed meat causes cancer. ... Red meat. ... Alcohol. ... Salted fish (Chinese style) ... Sugary drinks or non-diet soda. ... Fast food or processed foods.
What fruits should cancer patients avoid?
You may also want to avoid certain fruits based on your symptoms. For example, citrus fruits may irritate mouth sores and worsen the feeling of dry mouth. Lastly, whole fruits like apples, apricots, and pears are hard for some people with cancer to eat due to mouth sores, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, or nausea.
What is the best drink for cancer patients?
Drink beverages that contain calories, such as fruit juice, lemonade, fruit-flavored drinks, malts, floats, soda pop, cocoa, milkshakes, smoothies and eggnog. Nutritional supplement drinks are convenient options.
Snack as needed
During cancer treatment your body often needs extra calories and protein to help you maintain your weight and heal as quickly as possible. If you’re losing weight, snacks can help you meet those needs, keep up your strength and energy level, and help you feel better.
Tips to get more calories and protein
Eat several small snacks throughout the day, rather than 3 large meals.
Where to find help
If you have any questions or concerns about nutrition, you should talk to a doctor, nurse, or dietitian. A registered dietitian can be one of your best sources of information. If you are going to meet with a dietitian, be sure to write down your questions before your meeting so you won’t forget anything.
From the ACS Bookstore
The second edition of What to Eat During Cancer Treatment contains more than 130 recipes. The book provides practical tips and suggestions to help patients and their caregivers anticipate—and overcome—the major challenges of eating well during treatment.
What is the American Cancer Society?
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.
What are the side effects of cancer treatment?
The book's primary focus is on the seven most common eating-related side effects of cancer treatment—nausea, diarrhea, constipation, trouble swallowing, sore mouth, unintentional weight loss, and taste alterations—and the foods that will be acceptable when these side effects occur .
What to eat during cancer treatment?
Some of the additions to the second edition include newly popular ingredients that have become readily available in many neighborhood grocery stores today, including acai, quinoa, and whole wheat pasta. The book will appeal to people undergoing treatment, as well as caregivers, family, and friends who are providing support.
Is there a healing quality to eating healthy food?
Besser says, “There is a healing quality to having food you can enjoy even if you’re undergoing difficulties that can come with cancer treatment. You can take comfort from getting the nutrition you need and knowing you’re doing good things for your body by eating healthy food that can help you feel better.”.
