Eating is an important part of our culture. It should be a sociable, enjoyable experience, but when a diagnosis of cancer is given, the pleasure of eating is lost. That’s frustrating for patients, especially since this is the time they need good nutrition most.

“The better a patient’s nutrition status going in, the better the treatment will work,” said Dillon Dreher, clinical dietician. “Muscle mass is extremely important because it will deplete during treatment, and since protein supports the muscle mass, a high protein diet is beneficial.”

Dreher suggests that as soon as a patient is diagnosed with cancer, high calorie and high protein foods should increase. Protein should be 15% of a daily diet; cancer patients should increase that intake to 20%, or about 70 grams. If a patient is obese, caloric intake should not be raised.

“In that case, protein can be incorporated in the diet in the form of whey protein powder,” said Dreher. “You need to be sure you’re getting a complete protein. Whey is animal-based, so it contains all the necessary amino acids. Other complete proteins include meat, eggs and peanut butter.”

One of the side affects of chemotherapy and radiation is loss of appetite, which is a challenge. At the time your body most needs more protein, eating is the last thing in the world you feel like doing.

“Chemotherapy really turns your body upside down,” said Dreher. “There are so many nutritional side affects that are negative.”

Chemotherapy rushes to the cells that are growing most rapidly and kills them; however, it doesn’t distinguish between cancer cells and other rapidly-producing cells, such as gastro-intestinal cells and blood cells. So while the cancer is being destroyed, the very properties your body must maintain to be healthy are also destroyed.

Vegetarians should alter their diet to include the highest number of protein rich grains, such as quinoa. If certain amino acids are lacking, Dreher suggests taking supplements.

If nausea is a problem, focus on foods that are easily tolerated, like baked chicken, cream of wheat, boiled potatoes or yogurt. Avoid spicy foods and foods with strong odors. Eat smaller meals, but eat more often, perhaps six times a day. (See recipes below for smoothies that go down easily and also provide nutrition.)

When vomiting, be sure to replace what your body has lost. Gatorade quickly replaces lost electrolytes. Strawberries, bananas and melon replace lost potassium, and salty foods are a good source of sodium.

Avoid acidic, salty or spicy foods if you have mouth sores. Cut food into small pieces, using gravy to moisten it, and blend if necessary. Try sucking  ice chips or sipping warm broth. For dry mouth, eat foods at room temperature, suck on popsicles or hard candy, and try Biotene, which is available at drug stores.

“Try to make eating as pleasant as possible,” said Dreher. “Give it a positive association and make sure your body gets what it needs to heal.”

Orange Cooler

 1/3 C. orange juice concentrate

3/4 C. powdered whole milk

1 C. ice water

1/2 C. vanilla ice cream

 Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Contains 365 calories and 15 grams of protein.

Peanut Butter Shake

1 C. whole milk

2 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter

1 C. vanilla ice cream

1 Tbsp. chocolate syrup

Blend until smooth. Fruit can be added for more flavor. Contains 725 calories and 43 grams of protein.