Keeping a Nutritious Diet After a Cancer
Diagnosis
By: Jillian Mckee
In today's world, a cancer diagnosis does not mean the same thing that it did even twenty years ago. Many types of cancer are treatable, and some are even curable. As medical breakthroughs are made, those diagnosed with cancer - even mesothelioma cancer - should not be as worried as they would have been in the past. After this sort of diagnosis, a patient should continue to focus on everyday life, including the treatment options for the disease, spending time with their family, and taking care of themselves. Ensuring that a healthy and nutritious diet is adhered to can help those diagnosed with cancer remain fit, healthier and able to fight off any other illnesses.
Whether just diagnosed, in remission, or going through treatment, cancer patients - or survivors - can take steps to ensure that their diets are filled with healthy foods that not only taste good, but help their bodies. Though appetite may come and go during the process of treatment, it is important to eat as many healthy items as possible. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries expose the body to different types of bacteria and make it more likely that the person will get sick, but loading up on the vitamins and nutrients can make this less possible.
One surprising suggestion for many cancer patients is that it is recommended to up the daily calorie intake, concentrating on foods high in protein. This can combat calories and nutrients lost in the body trying to fight the disease, using many foods that are already consumed in high amounts. Increasing the intake of cooked eggs, milk, gravy and other sauces, butter, oils while decreasing the intake of fiber to alleviate unneeded stress on the intestinal tract and esophagus are simple dietary changes that can help people stay healthier during the process.
Replacing white and processed carbs with whole grains, and eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables each day will provide necessary fiber without overdoing it. Brown rice, oats and wheat toast can make people feel fuller for longer, and this can reduce the chances of overeating - especially eating too much of the "wrong" things. Green tea, grape and wheat juices, and lots of fresh, clean water should be consumed, too. Drinking water daily can help the body filter out more toxins, as well as keep muscles hydrated.
It is important that patients reduce their intake of processed sugar and caffeine. This includes sodas, premixed sports drinks, energy drinks, and packaged dessert products. While it is still OK to indulge every now and then, these types of food and drink can trick the body to thinking it is more energized than it really is, and when the buzz ends, the body will feel much worse than it would to a healthy body. This loss of sensation can make a person feel tired, sore and weak, which is exactly what staying healthy during this time is supposed to combat.
Not only will eating healthy foods promote bodily health, but it can make the mind feel better, too. Whole grains keep blood sugar steady, which results in a steady, constant release of energy that can last for many hours at a time. Mushrooms, which contain selenium, can help fight depression by increasing the body's store of the element. Helping the body and mind feel healthy can help a person deal with the diagnosis and resulting treatments in better way. Rather than continue to follow the same diet as before diagnosis, and not be active or try to keep the body healthy, changing diet may give a person the strength to continue their life as normally as possible.
Keeping up energy levels can help those who have received a cancer diagnosis accomplish goals, tasks, and continue to spend time with their loved ones. By eating and drinking these types of foods, the effects of cancerous cells on the body may not be as outwardly severe. A healthy diet is not the cure for cancer, but it will help keep a sense of normalcy as it is prepared, consumed, and even shared with others. Healthy eating in this sense does not mean cutting all of the "fun" items out like in other diets, it simply means taking into account what is being used to prepare the meals daily.
As every cancer diagnosis is different, as is each resulting course of action, any changes to the diet should be talked over with a doctor or physician to ensure that it will be right for the specific person. For answers to some diet related questions, The American Cancer Society's website has a nutrition page that provides helpful answers to common questions.
A cancer diagnosis can be a scary thing, but by following dietary rules and guidelines, the body can remain as strong as possible throughout the course of treatment. Having a strong body and mind may help the patient have the strength to deal with a very difficult situation in the best way possible.
By: Jillian Mckee
In today's world, a cancer diagnosis does not mean the same thing that it did even twenty years ago. Many types of cancer are treatable, and some are even curable. As medical breakthroughs are made, those diagnosed with cancer - even mesothelioma cancer - should not be as worried as they would have been in the past. After this sort of diagnosis, a patient should continue to focus on everyday life, including the treatment options for the disease, spending time with their family, and taking care of themselves. Ensuring that a healthy and nutritious diet is adhered to can help those diagnosed with cancer remain fit, healthier and able to fight off any other illnesses.
Whether just diagnosed, in remission, or going through treatment, cancer patients - or survivors - can take steps to ensure that their diets are filled with healthy foods that not only taste good, but help their bodies. Though appetite may come and go during the process of treatment, it is important to eat as many healthy items as possible. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries expose the body to different types of bacteria and make it more likely that the person will get sick, but loading up on the vitamins and nutrients can make this less possible.
One surprising suggestion for many cancer patients is that it is recommended to up the daily calorie intake, concentrating on foods high in protein. This can combat calories and nutrients lost in the body trying to fight the disease, using many foods that are already consumed in high amounts. Increasing the intake of cooked eggs, milk, gravy and other sauces, butter, oils while decreasing the intake of fiber to alleviate unneeded stress on the intestinal tract and esophagus are simple dietary changes that can help people stay healthier during the process.
Replacing white and processed carbs with whole grains, and eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables each day will provide necessary fiber without overdoing it. Brown rice, oats and wheat toast can make people feel fuller for longer, and this can reduce the chances of overeating - especially eating too much of the "wrong" things. Green tea, grape and wheat juices, and lots of fresh, clean water should be consumed, too. Drinking water daily can help the body filter out more toxins, as well as keep muscles hydrated.
It is important that patients reduce their intake of processed sugar and caffeine. This includes sodas, premixed sports drinks, energy drinks, and packaged dessert products. While it is still OK to indulge every now and then, these types of food and drink can trick the body to thinking it is more energized than it really is, and when the buzz ends, the body will feel much worse than it would to a healthy body. This loss of sensation can make a person feel tired, sore and weak, which is exactly what staying healthy during this time is supposed to combat.
Not only will eating healthy foods promote bodily health, but it can make the mind feel better, too. Whole grains keep blood sugar steady, which results in a steady, constant release of energy that can last for many hours at a time. Mushrooms, which contain selenium, can help fight depression by increasing the body's store of the element. Helping the body and mind feel healthy can help a person deal with the diagnosis and resulting treatments in better way. Rather than continue to follow the same diet as before diagnosis, and not be active or try to keep the body healthy, changing diet may give a person the strength to continue their life as normally as possible.
Keeping up energy levels can help those who have received a cancer diagnosis accomplish goals, tasks, and continue to spend time with their loved ones. By eating and drinking these types of foods, the effects of cancerous cells on the body may not be as outwardly severe. A healthy diet is not the cure for cancer, but it will help keep a sense of normalcy as it is prepared, consumed, and even shared with others. Healthy eating in this sense does not mean cutting all of the "fun" items out like in other diets, it simply means taking into account what is being used to prepare the meals daily.
As every cancer diagnosis is different, as is each resulting course of action, any changes to the diet should be talked over with a doctor or physician to ensure that it will be right for the specific person. For answers to some diet related questions, The American Cancer Society's website has a nutrition page that provides helpful answers to common questions.
A cancer diagnosis can be a scary thing, but by following dietary rules and guidelines, the body can remain as strong as possible throughout the course of treatment. Having a strong body and mind may help the patient have the strength to deal with a very difficult situation in the best way possible.
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