When cancer can be a life threatening disease which has severe effects on your overall health and appetite. In the same way the treatment for cancer is a strenuous and difficult procedure to undergo.
Chemotherapy is the procedure that uses certain chemicals to destroy the cancerous cells of the body. But the drugs used in the method removes all the discrimantion between healthy and cancerous cells. So this procedure suppresses the immune system of your body as well.
According to a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine, 30 to 40% of all cancers can be prevented by managing dietary and lifestyle routines.
Through this blog you will be able to learn about the best foods for cancer patients on chemotherapy. Also we will be discussing the things particularly foods to boost the immune system during chemo sessions.
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But Why Is Food Important During Cancer treatment?
But the question that can come naturally in the mind of every person will be: Why is your food important during cancer treatment?
The best possible answer to the above question is :
You are what you eat!
So to cope up with the dreadful effects of chemotherapy and radiation, it is essential to give due importance to the diet.a balanced diet will help in
- Managing side effects
- Reducing stress by giving enough energy
- Keeping muscles strong and in shape
- Preserving immune system
Side note: Know about cancer free diets and find out the best food choices to prevent cancer.
Best Foods for Cancer Patients on Chemotherapy
The comfort food for chemo patients may include the following:
Proteins from Plant Source
Chemotherapy is the procedure where you have to take a lot of drugs and these drugs are linked with muscle loss and they are linked with reduced physical activity.
According to a study conducted, there are cases when chemotherapy can reduce the strength of muscles and the chemotherapy can induce muscle fatigue and decreased muscle agility that can lead to overall decreased physical activity.
So if you are taking proteins in your diet that means then you are forming new muscles in your body as muscles are solely proteins.
Plant based proteins are preferred for the reason that they are easy to digest and they are widely available for a number of patients.
One of the main reasons that best foods for cancer patients on chemotherapy are less, is the taste changes that usually follow a chemotherapy session.
Fish
Fish is rich in many essential minerals and it is a good source of proteins as well.
Fish is rich in minerals like calcium and phosphorus that are again needed for overall growth and stability. Thus fish can also be taken as a food option among many other foods to boost immune system during chemo.
Fish is also rich in omega 3 fatty acids that are essential for your brain health. Also these omega 3 fatty acids serve as a good source of antioxidants. Therefore fish can be added in the diet of patients on chemotherapy to make their immune system and overall health in check.
However raw fish should be avoided at any cost as this can interfere with the metabolism of the body. Also this can be the cause of germs that can disturb the already suppressed immune system.
RELATED: there are many benefits of fish which you can read on our website.
Eggs
Eggs are a good source of essential fats and proteins.
Eggs also contain heart healthy unsaturated fats and they also contain many vitamins like vitaminB6 and vitamin B12.
As chemotherapy induces a lot of fatigue and tiredness in your body so eggs can also help in this regard due to their great caloric makeup.
However, raw or undercooked eggs should be avoided as they can harbour many harmful bacterias that can severely disturb your compromised immune system making you more prone to other life threatening infections.
Oils in Particular Olive Oil
Essential oils are also useful in treating cancer and they have shown many benefits. Out of many essential oils available.Olive oil is also deemed fit for patients suffering from cancer.
Olive oil due to its composition is the best thing which you can incorporate in your diet.
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and it is also a good source of unsaturated fatty acids. Due to its healthy contents, it is found useful for treating many ailments including diabetes, heart diseases and above all cancer.
There are studies that hint at the reduced rate of colorectal cancer after administering olive oil in the diet.
Fruits Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Cancer patients who are on chemo have to undergo a lot of pain and fatigue due to large quantities of drugs used. Also there are some cases when radiation is also used along with drugs that make the whole procedure even more tiring.
In this case there are many comfort foods that can be taken to get enough energy and to get over the symptoms of fatigue and lethargy.
Fruits that are rich in vitamins and minerals should be consumed by cancer patients on chemo. To sort out a large variety of fruits available, here are some fruits that are easy to digest and are found useful in giving energy to cancer patients.
- Apples are rich in vitamin C, fibres and antioxidants.
- Plums are a good source of minerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
- Mangoes are naturally enriched with vitamin C and many other minerals.
- Pineapple is a good source of many vitamins that are again useful for body metabolism and stability.
- Banana, good source of minerals and vitamins like potassium and vitaminB6.
- Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants. This tiny fruit has many other benefits on your overall health.
- Pomegranate is a rich source of antioxidants
All these fruits are the comfort foods that can be easily added in the diet even on the go. There are many other best foods to boost the immune system which can also be taken in chemotherapy.
Fresh Juices
Out of many adverse side effects of chemotherapy on overall body metabolism, mouth sores and taste changes are the most bothersome of all. Even simple water can become difficult to bear with so there are other options that can serve as the best foods to boost the immune system during chemo.
Fresh juices are a good option as comfort food for chemo patients. They are simple to make as well. Just add in a handful of fruit in the blender along with milk and for extra protein boost, add a scoop of protein butter in it. This will help with the symptoms and is beneficial in keeping cancer at a bay.
Dry Fruits like Almonds
Cancer patients on chemotherapy often find themselves in trouble as there are less snack options for them. The dry fruits are the best option as a snack. The dry fruits like almonds and cashews can help to prevent the onset of cancer and they are useful in managing cancer so that it doesn’t get worse with the passage of time.
Nuts are a good source of minerals like copper and manganese. They are also rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants help to fight the cancerous cells.
According to a study conducted, one of the antioxidants called manganese dismutase is found to be an excellent cure for treating cancer. This antioxidant is available in abundant supply in nuts.
Nuts are one of those foods ,precisely put, comfort food for chemo patients.
But if you are suffering from mouth sores then these nuts can be used in conjunction with milk or in other cases, the nut butters can be used as an alternative.
The Final Takeaway
There are many serious side effects of chemotherapy which can take a toll on your health. From mouth sores to constant nausea, there are many reasons for a cancer patient to give up on eating properly. But to cope up with the energy loss and to survive this strenuous battle with cancer, it is essential to keep a good track of foods which you consume. Comfort foods for cancer patients are varied and they range from person to person. If you have any persistent issues with eating and swallowing then it is better to seek medical care right away. Contact the best oncologist in the area and to keep yourself updated on information about cancer visit our website healthwire.pk.
