Nutrition For Cancer Survivors

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

04 Apr 2007 03:48 PM

Regardless of which cancer treatment you choose, your body needs fuel to fight the disease. The side effects of various cancer treatments can be worse if you aren't eating right. Your body needs enough food, and it needs the right kind of foods.

1. Be sure you are meeting your body's basic calorie needs. For people with cancer, you need approximately 15 calories per pound of weight. If you weigh 150 pounds when healthy, you need 2250 calories per day.
2. Have you lost weight during your illness? Add an extra 500 calories daily to your diet to help your body return to a normal, healthy weight.
3. Be sure to eat enough protein in your diet -- protein helps your body rebuild and repair damaged tissue. Good sources of protein include foods from the dairy group, meats, fish, poultry, eggs, and legumes.
4. Drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration. Sixty-four ounces of water daily (one half gallon of liquid) will help keep you healthy. If you are experiencing dehydrating side effects like vomiting or diarrhea, you'll need more fluids.
5. You may need a vitamin supplement if you are not getting enough nutrients in your diet. Look for a multivitamin that provides the recommended daily allowances for most nutrients. Talk to your doctor about an appropriate supplement for you during your recovery. Vitamins, however, are not a substitute for food -- they do not provide any calories.

Talk to a dietician to learn how to maximize calories (especially proteins) in smaller amounts of food. You may need to add powdered milk, instant meal drinks, or other supplements to your meals to get the calories your body needs. A dietician can also help you deal with eating problems like feelings of fullness, loss of appetite, nausea, swallowing difficulty, or changes in taste. Remember -- your body will have a hard time fighting cancer and healing if you don't give it the right fuel.

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