“I just got back from Christmas,” says a caregiver on Cancercompass.com, “and I am just so sad. My dad who was diagnosed with EC [esophageal cancer] in November couldn’t eat his dinner.”
There’s no doubt that cancer, treatments, and side effects can make it harder for you to eat, and harder for your body to absorb nutrients from your food. “Our doctors have some amazing weapons in their arsenal when it comes to knocking out cancer,” says Heather Borsa, Oncology Dietitian at Elkhart General Hospital, Indiana. “But, as effective as these treatments can be, they can sometimes play havoc with good nutrition. If you’re a cancer patient, maintaining a healthy diet is more than a ‘good idea.’ It’s critical.”
If you’re going through cancer or caring for someone who is, it’s imperative that you seek the advice of a dietitian who can attend to your particular case. In the meantime, we have a few suggestions to help you get as many nutrients as possible while going through treatment.
- If food smells bad: If you find most foods give off a smell that triggers nausea, try cooking outside on a grill. Many times the BBQ scent will smell good. Also, try foods that don’t need to be cooked, and avoid eating in rooms that are too warm or stuffy.
- If you have bitter or metallic taste: Use plastic flatware, cups, and plates. Try sugar-free lemon drops, gum, or mints. Eat fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of canned. Season foods with lemon wedges and other citrus fruits (unless you have a sore mouth), or try strong flavors like onion, garlic, chili powder, mustard, oregano, rosemary, or BBQ sauce.
- If you have a sore mouth or throat: Eat soft foods that are easy to swallow. Try milkshakes, bananas, applesauce, watermelon, cottage cheese, yogurt, macaroni and cheese, custards, soups, puddings, gelatin, oatmeal, sweet mashed potatoes and vegetables, and pureed meats. Avoid citrus fruits, spicy foods, hard-crust breads, tomato juice, pickles, vinegar, popcorn, and potato chips.
- If nausea is keeping you from eating: Go for bland foods like sherbet, yogurt, toast, rice, noodles, Cream of Wheat and other cooked cereals, rice, pretzels, and canned peaches. Eat foods cold or at room temperature.
- If diarrhea is draining you of nutrients: Drink plenty of fluids, eat bland foods (as for nausea), and avoid greasy, fatty, or fried foods; raw vegetables; high-fiber foods; and foods that contain caffeine. Be careful with milk, as sometimes it can make diarrhea worse-try it in small doses. Drink and eat high-sodium (preferably sea-salt) items such as broth, soups, sports drinks, and crackers. Also, consume high-potassium items such as fruit juices and bananas.
- If regular meals aren’t working: Eat small, frequent meals every one-to-two hours. Eat whenever you feel like it, no matter what time of day. Consider having your biggest meal in the morning, when most people find their appetite is best. Also, try Sable’s Food bars. The only brand of bars developed to address the three most common complaints of cancer patients: nutrition, taste and texture.
- If you have no appetite: Eat small amounts of food throughout the day. Take snacks with you, like pudding cups, raisins, crackers, cheese, and fruit. During meals, drink only small amounts, since drinking makes you feel full. Try to get some exercise every day-walking is best. It will help you work up an appetite!
- If you need more protein: Eat more chicken, fish, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, beans, and peas. Add peanut butter to toast, bagels, crackers, bananas, apples, and celery. Add Carnation Instant Breakfast™ to milkshakes or milk. Make protein shakes with frozen blueberries, banana, soy or whey protein powder and milk or soy milk.
- If you want homemade high-calorie drinks: See the Cancer Center for lots of tasty recipes.
If you have any great recommendations for easy-to-eat, nutritious foods, please share!
Photo courtesy of Snap Village.
