Diets for Chemotherapy Patients

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment used in fighting cancer. Various types of drugs are used to either kill the rapidly dividing cancer cells or prevent their growth. Though effective, the drugs used during chemotherapy cannot differentiate between cancer cells and the healthy cells that surround them. This results in many side effects for the chemotherapy patient, making good nutrition essential for maintaining his strength and ability to endure the treatments.

Diet and Chemotherapy

A good diet is as important to a chemotherapy patient as her treatments. Eating a balanced diet not only ensures her ability to maintain a healthy weight, but also helps increase the speed at which she recovers from her treatments, and provides the adequate amount of protein needed to boost and strengthen her immune system. In addition to eating a balanced diet, she may also want to take a multivitamin to supplement any nutritional deficiencies she may experience during her treatments.

Tailored Diet

A variety of chemotherapy drugs are used to treat the various types of cancer that patients are diagnosed with. Each of these drugs is accompanied with its own set of side effects, which makes it necessary to tailor a diet for every individual. While one patient may suffer from nausea, another may suffer from a loss of appetite. His diet will be based on the side effects he is experiencing, in an effort to manage these effects while still meeting his nutritional needs.

Basic Nutritional Needs

Basic nutritional needs should be used as a guideline for each patient undergoing chemotherapy treatments. However, these prescriptions may be altered by the physician depending on the side effects his patient experiences. Fruits and vegetables are always recommended for cancer patients due to the vitamins, minerals and cancer-fighting compounds they contain. Meat (such as beef), pork, poultry and fish are all excellent sources of protein, which is needed during chemotherapy to help the patient fight infections, and for her body to heal itself. Other significant sources of protein include eggs, peanut butter and tofu.Grains and starches found in cereals, pastas and rice contain carbohydrates and B-vitamins which are needed for energy, while dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese provide the calcium needed for bone strength.

When Problems Occur

Once side effects occur, a change in diet may become necessary. The changes made will depend on the problem the patient is experiencing. If he is suffering from nausea and vomiting, eating smaller meals through the day may help, as will sucking on ice cubes or mint candies. He should also try to avoid eating fatty or spicy foods, having large meals, and lying down after eating. If he suffers from loss of appetite, eating five to six times a day ensures he will still receive the amount of calories needed, as will drinking milkshakes or adding peanut butter to snacks like celery or crackers. For diarrhea, eating foods that are low in fiber--such as bananas, rice, bread and oatmeal--helps relieve the symptoms. It is also necessary to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Finally, if mouth sores develop, milkshakes are an excellent source of protein and calcium, and are easy to swallow. It may also be helpful to eat soft or pureed foods to decrease the amount of chewing you need to do, and avoid foods containing citrus or tomato.