Prepare a good diet for cancer patients

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The common condition of cancer patients is physical exhaustion leading to weight loss, malnutrition... In order to have good results for cancer treatment, it is necessary to standardize nutrition before treatment. Cancer is an important step that every patient needs to pay attention to.

1. Nutrition and cancer

Good nutrition is important for cancer. Treatments can include radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery, etc. Procedures and medications also cause many people to lose their appetite. and loss of energy, putting the patient at higher risk of malnutrition.
Good food choices when you have cancer and before treatment can be very different from what you used to eat. Trying to maintain a constant weight is a pretty important goal. To limit weight change and have the energy to cope with treatment, you may be asked to eat foods that are high in calories and protein. Foods that provide nutrition for cancer patients include:
Milk, cream and cheese Cooked eggs Lean red meat, fish and poultry Sausages and gravies Butter, margarine and oils Some of these recommendations It might be the opposite of what you've always heard about a healthy diet. But for now, people with cancer may need a high-calorie, high-protein diet. This is especially true if you are feeling weak or underweight. Getting enough nutrients can be challenging as you may not feel well or not want to eat, but paying proper attention to your nutrition can help you recover, feel better, and feel better. . It can be seen that cancer treatment by eating is an important step before proceeding with other methods.

2. What should be done before starting cancer treatment?

Eating well before starting treatment can help increase energy and improve sleep, help you fight infections and reduce side effects from treatment. To prepare nutrition before cancer treatment, apply the following advice:
Store your favorite foods in the refrigerator and freezer so you don't have to shop as often. Include foods that you know you can eat even if you are sick. Cook large portions of your favorite foods in advance and freeze them into bite-sized portions. To save your energy, buy foods that are easy to prepare. Examples include peanut butter, pudding, frozen dinners, soups, canned fish or chicken, cheese and eggs. Ask family and friends to help you cook and buy food. Talk to and work with a dietitian about meal planning, food choices, and reducing treatment side effects, like nausea and diarrhea. If your treatment includes radiation to the head or neck, you may be advised to put a feeding tube into your stomach before starting treatment. This can prevent nutritional problems and dehydration during treatment. With advance planning, you can have your favorite dishes ready even if you don't feel well enough to cook a meal.
Before starting treatment, cancer patients themselves may have problems that lead to difficulty eating or losing weight. Common:
Problems with lactose (lactose intolerance) Nausea and vomiting Poor digestion, or feeling full early Drowsiness Forgetfulness

3. The problem of lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance prevents the body from digesting or absorbing the lactose found in milk and dairy products. This intolerance is usually caused by a lack of an enzyme called lactase. Lactase helps break down lactose so you can digest it.
Some people who have radiation to the abdomen or pelvis, have surgery to affect the intestines, or take certain medications, develop lactose intolerance. Symptoms include diarrhea, gas, bloating, and stomach pain or cramps. If you have any of these symptoms after eating dairy products, talk to your doctor or dietitian for a plan to limit the amount of milk in your meals.
Dairy products such as milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cherries all contain lactose. Some processed foods including dairy products also contain lactose. Many other foods can also be hidden sources of lactose. To be aware of this you should check food labels to find out this information along with dairy by-products or lactose. We can find information through terms such as:
Milk Condensed milk Skimmed milk powder Cream Butter milk Milk Malt Whey lactose curd Dried milk Nonfat dry milk These foods all contain lactose. Some foods that can hide lactose include:
Breads, cookies and pancakes Candy Cookies and cakes Cold cuts and bologna Sausages and bacon Sausages, gravies and salad dressings Cream soups Dessert mixes Frostings Chocolate drink mix Cereals Non-dairy coffee and toppings Protein powders, smoothies and bars Margarine You may not need to eliminate all lactose-containing foods from your diet, because your body can still make small amounts of lactase. Lactose levels vary in foods such as hard cheeses and yogurts that have the least amount of lactose. Find out how much lactose you can tolerate by drinking 1/4 cup of milk and slowly increasing your intake. Because lactose intolerance is not an allergic reaction. Symptoms should ease as the lactose moves through your digestive system.
You may have to replace other things with dairy products you are used to. It's also important to include other sources of calcium when you're eliminating foods containing lactose from your diet. You can try lactose-free or low-lactose milk.

4. Stay active before cancer treatment

Cancer treatment can make you very tired. You may even feel tired after resting or sleeping. You also may not want to start new exercises. However, gentle, regular physical activities will be very good for health. Daily exercise can help you relieve fatigue, even light exercise can improve appetite, stimulate digestion, prevent constipation and give you more energy. Physical activity will also help reduce stress, improve mood, and maintain muscle tone. You should talk to your doctor before doing physical activity to find out what's right for you at the moment. A short walk can be a good start.
Cancer treatment by eating is currently a solution that many people apply to help improve their health every day. However, what you eat, what diet, what regimen should be consulted by a professional doctor.
Besides, cancer patients also need to have regular health check-ups to check the development of the disease, from which to have appropriate treatment.
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Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: cancer.org