Patients undergoing treatment for cancer may not be prepared for the way chemotherapy or radiation affects proper eating. Many treatments cause nausea, constipation or diarrhoea, and some alter the sense of taste so that once-loved treats become noxious. Certain cancers also lead to wasting, which can further weaken the body.
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Cancer physicians usually don't spend much time discussing nutrition with patients. However, oncology centres often have dieticians or a separate nutrition department that can help patients eat healthily during and after treatment. The choice of foods can either assist treatment or work against it. For example, vitamins C and E should not be taken through the period that a patient receives chemotherapy because their antioxidant properties may make some treatments less effective.
Here are a few tips on healthy eating for cancer patients:
If you are overweight, attempt to make the necessary lifestyle changes (diet and activity) to normalise your body weight and/or to reduce your waist circumference.
Eat a plant-based diet consisting of large quantities of low fat, high fiber foods; especially choose fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, olive oil and low-fat dairy products. Fish and poultry, without skin, are preferred over red meats, processed meats and organ meats.
Avoid alcohol if you have breast cancer, a family history of it or other risk factors.
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