Quick Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Diet


Maintaining a healthy diet, including proper hydration, is important.

If you're thinking about taking dietary supplements, you're in good company. Surveys indicate it’s a common reaction for patients who have just received a cancer diagnosis to load up on vitamins. Unfortunately, certain dietary supplements may do more harm than good, as some may actually interfere with drugs used for cancer treatment.

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So what’s the answer if you're trying to balance your nutritional needs during cancer treatment with any possible dangers? With no cookie-cutter approach to supplements, each situation must be considered independently, and you should always consult your doctor before using dietary supplements.

Losing or Gaining Weight

Weight loss or gain is a common side effect. Some treatments, particularly those for breast, ovarian and prostate cancers, may cause weight gain. Chemotherapy and steroids may increase appetite and cause fluid retention—leading to treatment-related weight gain. Fatigue and decreased physical activity can also contribute.

To cope with these issues, you should limit intake of calorie-dense foods, and instead, increase intake of vegetables and fresh fruits. With approval from your doctor, you can exercise to help with fatigue, weight maintenance, anxiety and mobility. Some gyms and cancer centers have programs designed for cancer patients, and many oncology practices provide a dietitian with oncology experience.

Staying Hydrated

Water is the most important nutrient in a your diet. Dehydration occurs when the body takes in less fluid than it releases. It happens quickly if you experience diarrhea, vomiting or fever with sweating.

You may not have the desire or energy to eat or drink, so when you do feel thirsty, you may already be dehydrated. Symptoms include little or dark-colored urine, fatigue, sunken eyes and skin that remains raised if pinched (called decreased or poor skin turgor). Signs of severe dehydration, such as low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, dizziness and confusion, may require immediate intravenous fluids.

Proper hydration can help ease common side effects like constipation and fatigue, as well as rare but serious effects, such as kidney damage. Because the kidneys filter waste, chemicals and excess compounds from the blood, intravenous fluids are given during some types of treatment. You may be told to drink water before and after treatment to flush toxins through the kidneys and bladder quickly.

If you have a compromised immune system, stay hydrated by drinking tap water if it's from a city water supply or municipal well serving a highly populated area. If water is not from these sources, you should use boiled, distilled or bottled water.

Sometimes water may not be enough. Broths, sports drinks and other products can restore fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. Good hydration is one way for you to stay as healthy as possible and feel better during and after treatment.

Delicious, Nutritious Recipes

The American Cancer Society offers quick and easy recipes for cancer patients in the cookbook What to Eat During Cancer Treatment. With their permission, we've featured a few tasty recipes from the cookbook in our Food for Thought article. These recipes may reduce symptoms and side effects, such as nausea or dry mouth. 

 

This material is furnished for informational purposes and is for your personal use only. It is not intended as a substitute for the expertise, judgment and specific advice of your health care professional. Based on your condition and treatment plan you may have different dietary needs. Please consult with your doctor before making changes to your diet plan.

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