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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 can be lost. That can be frustrating, especially since this is the time when good nutrition is needed most.
In this section you will find nutrition advice and recipes.
Overview of Nutrition in Cancer Care
The diet is an important part of cancer treatment. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after treatment can help the patient feel better and stay stronger. To ensure proper nutrition, a person has to eat and drink enough of the foods that contain key nutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fat, and water). For many patients, however, some side effects of cancer and cancer treatments make it difficult to eat well. Symptoms that interfere with eating include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, mouth sores, trouble with swallowing, pain, depression, and anxiety. Appetite, taste, smell, and the ability to eat enough food or absorb the nutrients from food may be affected. Malnutrition (lack of key nutrients) can result, causing the patient to be weak, tired, and unable to resist infections or withstand cancer therapies. Eating too little protein and calories is the most common nutrition problem facing many cancer patients. Protein and calories are important for healing, fighting infection, and providing energy.
Good eating habits during cancer care help the patient cope with the effects of the cancer and its treatment.
For a full article with tips from clinical dietician, Dillon Dreher click here.
For a list of recipes to click here.
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