If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, you can still enjoy the comfort of cooking and rediscover the joy of eating.
Do you find regular meals unappetizing or too tedious to cook? You are not alone. Many people feel this way as they go through cancer treatment. However, food can be used to improve quality of life and provide essential nutrients for recovery.
To stay healthy and strong enough to fight cancer, you need to maintain your nutrition. Trying to maintain an adequate caloric intake during this time can be difficult for patients and caregivers trying to prepare meals.
As you navigate the best way to nourish your body during cancer treatment, keep these tips in mind.
First, eating the foods you love makes eating easier, even if it means eating the same thing for breakfast as you would for a regular dinner. have fun.
Additionally, depending on the type of cancer and treatment, there are dos and don’ts to be successful.
Call (805) 346-3403 to schedule a free consultation with a registered dietitian through the Mission Hope Cancer Center.
Remember that fatigue is the most common complaint of cancer and its treatment. Causes of fatigue include the cancer itself, stress, diarrhea, infections, radiation, and anemia. Fatigue can make food preparation exhausting, and you may not even feel like eating when you’re done.
Make it easy for yourself by preparing quick meals and snacks. Take a nap during the day or do some light exercise to boost your energy levels.
Write down the foods, people, things, and places that stimulate your appetite. If you crave a particular food, eat it! Eat small meals often. Choose foods high in protein. Remember to drink plenty of liquids. But don’t fill yourself up with liquids that can make your meal uneatable.
Some patients find that the early hours of the day are the best times to eat. As the day progresses, you may become more tired and find eating more difficult.
If you can pinpoint the times during your treatment cycle when you’re most tired, try making meals ahead of time and freezing them so you can eat them later.
Accept your friend’s offer to help you and tell them exactly what you need or want.
The Mission Hope Cancer Center library is full of cookbooks with recipes and tips for improving nutrition during cancer treatment. Stop by and see us today!
I have a question? For this weekly column produced by the Marian Regional Medical Center for Cancer Programs, send your questions to “Your Cancer Answers” at the following email address: [email protected].
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