Best Meals for Chemo Patients – The truth is, getting the right nutrition during cancer treatment can go a long way in helping you feel better, recover faster, and even help you to stay energized and very strong, hence the best meals for chemo patients.
Best Meals for Chemo Patients
Every single person has different needs, so there is no single meal plan or diet that will help them go through the goring experience of chemotherapy. The best diet for chemo patients is the one that gives those calories and the nutrients their bodies need and helps them to cope with any of the side effects they may have from chemotherapy.
Foods to Eat During Chemotherapy
In general, during chemotherapy, there will be times when you will not feel like eating. With that being said, it is very important that you try to eat a lot of calories and nutrients at any given time you can. When you prioritize macronutrients such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates, vitamins, and also minerals, your treatment and recovery during chemotherapy will be supported greatly.
Chemotherapy patients may however need to follow diet plans that are different from the typical healthy diet they may be used to. For instance, chemotherapy patients may need to consume more high protein foods like eggs, more high-calorie foods or they may simply need low-fiber foods that will help with diarrhea.
Some of the Best meals for chemo patients include;
Protein
The function of proteins in the human body is numerous. Protein foods are the building blocks for bones and muscles and they also help to keep your immune system healthy. Example of protein giving foods includes;
- Soy foods
- Fish, lean red meats, and chicken.
- Nuts
- Eggs and many more.
Healthy Fats
These are important sources of calories and they also help your cells to grow and produce hormones. Some fats are healthier than some, hence there are different types of fats. It is better to select monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats over trans-fatty acids.
Monounsaturated fats can be found in foods like vegetable oils and peanut oils. Polyunsaturated fats can be found in seafood. Saturated foods can be found mainly in animal sources such as butter, milk, and meat. Trans-fatty acids occur naturally and they are made artificially when vegetable oils are processed into solids.
Carbohydrates
They provide the most energy and fuel needed by your body to work properly. The best sources of carbohydrates are whole grains, vegetables, and fruits as they provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other essential nutrients for the body.
Fiber
Low fiber foods include;
- Eggs
- Fish, lean meats
- Cooked potatoes without the skin.
- Milk, yogurt, ice cream, and cheese.
- Soft canned or cooked fruit without skins and seeds.
- White rice, [plain pasta, or white bread.
Hugh fiber foods include;
- Potatoes with skins.
- Quinoa and millet.
- Apples, berries, and pears.
- Brown rice
- Beans and lentils.
- Green leafy vegetables.
Vitamins and Minerals
These types of foods are a very essential need for your body in developing and functioning properly. Some of this type of food may also help to support a healthy immune system. The best means of getting minerals and vitamins is by consuming foods that are rich in them.
Examples of foods rich in vitamins and minerals include;
- Whole grains.
- Nuts and beans.
- Low-fat cuts of meat, cooked fish, and poultry.
- Cheese, milk, and yogurt.
How Does Chemotherapy Affect Nutrition
In treating cancer, chemotherapy is one of the key parts. However, chemotherapy can be so hard on your body in general. How does chemotherapy works? Well, this is simple. The treatment of cancer by chemotherapy works by targeting cancer cells, but it can also damage healthy cells in the process. Chemotherapy affects how certain people tolerate certain foods and it can also change how the body absorbs nutrients.
Some of the most common ways through which chemotherapy affects your nutrition include;
- Decrease in appetite.
- Vomiting and nausea.
- Constipation or diarrhea.
- General changes in smell and taste.
- Sore throat or in the mouth (mucositis).
These are just some of the ways in which chemotherapy can affect your nutrition.
