Diet Tips for Cancer Patients

Diet Tips for Cancer Patients

Food is not a treatment for cancers such as thyroid, breast, lung, kidney, prostate, colon, skin cancer, lymphoma, and myeloma. However, it helps with developing immunity, strength, and enables you to cope up with the disease, as well as provides strength during cancer treatment, lowering the side effects of medications like gavreto, xtandi, opdivo, erleada, neulasta, and relugolix, and during chemotherapy. After you have been diagnosed, you should have an idea of the foods to eat and avoid with cancer. Eating the right food during and after the treatment can nourish you and make you stronger.

  • Caffeine-free beverages
    Starting from water to fruit juices, tender coconut, and milkshakes, you should include a lot of beverages in your diet. These help keep the body hydrated and prevent the side effects of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • Vegetables and fruits
    Include multiple portions of vegetables and fruits in your diet. Choose fiber-rich and antioxidant rich fruits and veggies that will heal your body after the treatment or cancer surgery. Colored fruits and vegetables are rich in flavonoids, an amazing antioxidant that fights free radicals from the atmosphere from damaging your cells.
  • Lean meat
    In the list of foods to eat and avoid with cancer, lean meat falls in the “eat” category because they are rich in proteins. A protein-rich diet is very important during and after your treatment to nourish you and give you back your strength. Lean meat also builds muscle mass, which is very important after a cancer scare.
  • Unprocessed dairy products
    Doctors recommend their patients to start including good fats in their diet to improve weight gain naturally. People with cancer find the loss of weight a common side effect. Unprocessed and natural dairy products like cheese, butter, and yogurt help with restoring the weight.
  • Processed meat
    In the list of foods to eat and avoid with cancer, processed meats are a definite no. Processed meats are said to increase the chance of developing tumors in healthy individuals. Hence with people recovering from the condition, these are to be avoided entirely.
  • Fishes high in mercury content
    Some kinds of fishes are full of mercury content and are toxic. It would be better for cancer patients to stay away from such seafood. When you buy fishes, choose wildly caught or organically grown fishes.
  • Smoked/charred food
    Smoked or charred food contains elements that can trigger the recurrence of tumors. The presence of carcinogenic hydrocarbons in smoked foods are said to be a direct risk factor for cancer. In the list of foods to eat and avoid with cancer, smoked and charred foods are to be completely avoided, which includes barbecued foods.

All patients must know the list of foods to eat and avoid with cancer. Food plays a vital role in keeping away the chances of cancer relapse. It also nourishes the body and mind and helps you handle the treatments like a champ. If you have a family member diagnosed with cancer, keep this list in mind when cooking food.