Weight Loss And Nutrition After Chemotherapy

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

When we are healthy, our body needs various nutrients that we take in through a varied and healthy diet every day. In the presence of cancer and treatment with chemotherapy (HT) and / or radiation therapy (LT), the body expends more energy than usual. Therefore, it is very important to keep the body strong in order to endure the side effects of the treatment. Sometimes this proves to be a great challenge. It is recommended to make an individual diet with a nutritionist.

HT is aimed at killing cancer cells. In addition, it damages healthy cells. This leads to side effects, some of which are related to the digestive system and nutrition:

- loss of appetite;

- nausea, vomiting;

- change in taste and smell;

- dry mouth;

- inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth;

- diarrhea or constipation;

- swallowing problems;

- weight gain or loss.

After surgery (in some cancers) there is a delay in digestion. There are 5 main groups of foods that are important for good health:

1. Fruits and vegetables: they are a good source of vitamins and minerals. However, if you lose your appetite, they should be replaced with higher-energy foods.

2. Meat and fish, legumes (beans, lentils, nuts): they are a good source of protein needed for tissue growth, muscle strength and wound healing. They contain vitamins and minerals, and some fats.

3. Milk and dairy products: contain proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. In case of weight loss, products saturated with fatty acids are chosen.

4. Foods containing fat: they are a good source of energy and calories.

5. Bread, other cereals and potatoes.

There are good and bad days during and after treatment, but as mentioned earlier, it is important to keep the body strong. Therefore, do not refuse help from family and friends when you are not feeling well. Follow some basic principles of nutrition:

- eat small portions, 6-8 times a day;

- try not to miss a meal;

- do not indulge in easy-to-digest foods, rich in protein and calories, high-energy, including all groups;

- dishes require little preparation and are a favorite (to improve appetite);

- cook healthy: by boiling, stewing, baking. Avoid frying and grilling;

- add nutritious drinks. Sometimes a food drink is easier than eating;

- you can add broths, sauces, dressings, ready-made protein supplements to foods to strengthen the food and make it easier to pass;

- candy sucking, frequent walks and light exercise sometimes help to increase appetite;

- Water intake should be increased (8-12 glasses per day), especially after infusions, so that the body can cleanse itself of toxins. Keep a bottle of water with you at all times. Ginger teas are useful;

- Do not drink liquids during meals. They are taken for 30 minutes. before or after eating;

- the meat must be well roasted and the eggs hard, not brittle. Raw meat and fish are avoided;

- during treatment the body becomes susceptible to any infections. Therefore, special care is taken with the food that is consumed. Fruits and vegetables are washed well under running water with a brush or sponge. Soak for about 30 minutes in water (maybe with lemon) to clear the nitrates. Fruits and vegetables that are not packed in bags or foil are bought because they are very high in nitrates. They must not be injured or have spots and mold. Labels and expiration dates are monitored!

Not every patient has eating problems. This depends on the type and dose of therapy, as well as the emotional state, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and a number of other side factors.

Important nutrients:

1. Oxidants and antioxidants: they neutralize free radicals in the body. Contained in fruits and vegetables.

2. Calcium: reduces the risk of osteoporosis and the development of colon cancer, prevents the formation of polyps on the mucous membranes. Contained in dairy products, green leafy vegetables, salmon, sardines.

3. Vitamin D: promotes cell replication and absorption of calcium in the intestine. The daily intake for adults is 1000UI. Contained in egg yolk, fatty fish.

4. Folic acid: helps build and repair the cell DNA wall. Not compatible with alcohol. Contained in green leafy vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, cereals.

5. Fiber: helps digestion and absorption of various valuable substances for the body, but can also help the absorption of carcinogens. Useful are the fibers that form a thin protective film containing pectin and vegetable gum - apples, carrots, oats, peas, barley, beans, citrus fruits, nuts.

6. Selenium: it potentiates the action of antioxidants. Contained in some nuts, cereals, poultry.

7. Omega-3 fatty acids: reduce the risk of inflammation in the body. Contained in fish, walnuts, flax, olive oil.

8. Lycopene: a strong antioxidant, affects the proliferation of cancer cells. Contained in red-pink fruits and vegetables - tomatoes, strawberries, guava, papaya, red grapes, watermelon.

9. Grape seed extract: a powerful antioxidant.

10. Resveratrol: contained in the skins of red grapes, mulberries and peanuts, in red wine.

11. Vitamin E: important antioxidant: found in spinach, olive oil, almonds, olives, papaya, blueberries and sunflower seeds.

12. Vitamin C: supports cell growth and development. The daily intake reaches 1000 mg. Contained in many fruits and vegetables.

Foods that do not irritate the stomach:

- soups: meat and vegetable broths;

- drinks: water, non-carbonated drinks, juices;

- main dishes: meat (chicken, beef, rabbit, turkey), dairy products (cheese, yellow cheese, cottage cheese), eggs (hard boiled), avocado, pasta, potatoes (peeled, boiled or stewed, mashed), vegetables, fish;

- desserts and snacks: bananas, egg creams, yogurt.

Foods low in fiber (for diarrhea):

- staple foods: chicken and turkey, skinless, oats, millet, eggs, fish, potatoes, white bread, white rice;

- fruits and vegetables: heat-treated carrots, mushrooms, green beans;

- desserts and snacks: egg and gelatin creams, yogurt, foods containing graham.

Foods rich in fiber:

- fruits and vegetables: berries, apples, dried fruits, broccoli, cabbage, corn, green plants, peas, goulash, etc.;

- staple foods: cooked legumes, nut oils, bran products, sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

Foods easy to chew and swallow:

- baby foods, purees, creams, cream soups, smoothies, cooked foods, yogurt.

Sample recipes:

- in case of loss of appetite: banana milk shake (1 banana, 1 hour of fresh milk, a few drops of vanilla);

- for constipation: sour from plums or apples (1/3 hour bran, 1/3 hour apple puree or plum puree - 1-2 tablespoons before bed with 250 ml of water);

- in case of lactose intolerance: chocolate pudding (2 pieces of dark chocolate, 1 teaspoon of soy or rice milk, 1 tablespoon of corn starch, 1/4 teaspoon of unrefined brown sugar, vanilla);

- for inflammation of the mouth and throat: fruits and cream, mixed and chilled;

- for weight loss: concentrated protein milk, high protein shakes

Often patients suffer from a lack of protein, which leads to malnutrition and weight loss. Protein intake can be increased by including in the menu:

- cheese: in sandwiches, soups, sauces, purees;

- milk: for soups and desserts;

- eggs: always well processed;

- nuts, seeds, sprouts: to salads and sauces;

- nut oils: for snacks, desserts, in shakes with fruits and vegetables;

- red meat, poultry and fish;

- legumes and tofu: to pasta, meat dishes, soups and purees.

Calorie intake can be increased by:

- whole milk: to cereals, when roasting meat, in shakes;

- cheese;

- muesli;

- dried fruit;

- eggs.

Proper nutrition is part of the treatment. It helps you feel better, have strength and energy, cope with the side effects of treatment. Reduces the risk of infections and helps the body recover. The "recipe" for proper nutrition is to eat a variety of foods with all the necessary nutrients.