Food and Cancer

When diagnosed with Cancer it may feel as if your life has been flipped upside down. You feel several emotions and it is hard to know what to do next. During treatment among the various side effects, your body is going through so much physically and mentally. Simple tasks such as eating can be difficult. Whether you are experiencing nausea, dry mouth, loss of appetite, or any other factors that come with treatment we are here to give you some strategies to help you combat the problems that make eating difficult.  

Eating during treatment can feel more like a chore than something you look forward to. From intense smells to your taste changing, and several other factors it is important to figure out what strategies will promote a diet that works for you. For example, instead of eating the normal 3 meal diet, try to snack more often throughout the day with 6 to 8 small meals. This will feel less overwhelming and will get you the daily nutrients you need to have a successful treatment. 

Now you may be asking, what do I eat? High protein and starchy foods such as chickpeas, tofu, cheese, turkey, nuts, peanut butter, etc. are all good sources of nutrients. Avoiding intense spices such as garlic and serving food at room temperature or cold can help with the overpowering smell of food. However, while it is important to be eating foods that boost your immune system and give you strength, it is more important that you are eating than what you are eating. Therefore, if you want a chocolate bar for breakfast then eat a chocolate bar for breakfast and always have your favorite snacks on hand. ​