Diet During Chemotherapy:

Diet during Chemotherapy is very important for a patient to stay healthy and active. However, chemotherapy is a combination of medications used for the treatment of cancer. Chemotherapy medicine besides killing cancer cells also damages normal cells of the human body. The common side effect includes a change of taste, mouth dryness, Changes in sense of smell, low level of energy, nausea, loose stools, oral ulcers, etc. However, all these side effects alter the patient’s nutrition. Therefore it is very important to maintain the patient’s nutritional status

Moreover, Diet has a very important role during chemotherapy treatment. During chemotherapy, patients may be very selective regarding food. A healthcare provider or a family member, who is taking care of a patient should offer a diet that will be easily digested by the patient. Proper and best nutrition helps patients in fast recovery, restoring and maintaining energy and patient’s weight.

A patient can eat everything during chemotherapy. However, there are some recommendations regarding food as follows.

Hygienic and well-cooked food: (Diet during chemotherapy)

The diet during chemotherapy should be hygienic and well-cooked. A patient on chemotherapy is at high risk of getting infections quickly. So whatever diet the patient uses should be neat and clean whether it’s cooked or uncooked such as salad or fruit.

• More use of liquids, juices, and shakes: Offer the patient’s choice of juices. It will provide instant energy maintain hydration and is easily digestible.
• Use plenty of fluids: Use more and more fluids to maintain your kidney’s function and hydration. Water and other fluids also maintain a reasonable tone of the skin.
• Try to drink boiled water to avoid waterborne diseases.
• If you are in the neutropenic phase try to avoid raw vegetables or fruit which cannot be peeled off. If you want to eat well wash the fruit and peel them off and vegetables or green salads must be properly washed with clean water.

  Drinking Herbal tea as a Diet during Chemotherapy:

Use a mixed tea containing ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and some pieces of green tea it is been thought that this herbal tea improves digestive health, However, it has some anti-inflammatory effects and also has anti-cancer effects. Do not take too much, you can use it once or twice a day.

Other Healthy Food Tips

Use the following tips in your diet to maintain a healthy diet pattern during the chemotherapy course.

Eat fruits daily. Use fruits of all kinds avoid citrus fruit which can upset your stomach. Moreover, Peel off and wash fruits properly before eating.

Drink a Cup of Warm Milk: Drinking a cup of warm milk at bedtime will improve your sleep. if you have loose stools or disturbed gut such as feeling bloating etc. avoid drinking milk, this can worsen your loose stools or diarrhea.

High-fiber Diet: If you feel constipated with chemotherapy drugs use a high-fiber diet like cereals and vegetables and drink more fluids and water, and if you have loose stools then avoid a high-fiber diet.

Avoid Barbeque and Steamed Meat: Avoid the use of barbeque and steamed meat which may not be well cooked, may not be digested properly, and can disturb your gut.

Use Homemade Food: Try to use homemade food, and avoid dining in restaurants and crowded places to prevent infections.

Alcohol Consumption: Avoid alcohol consumption, this may worsen your nausea and vomiting,which can also increases the risk of gut infections by giving an acidic environment to gut flora.

Small Frequent Meals: Take small frequent meals, and use 6 to 7 servings instead of three large servings. This will help in the easy digestion of food and can also help in preventing nausea and vomiting.

KYB Diet: In case of loose stools use boiled rice, banana, and yogurt known as the KYB diet.

Avoid the use of oily food: Do not use oily food which may take more time to digest and can cause nausea, vomiting and stomach fulness.

Weight loss is a significant problem with chemotherapy. Most of the patients could not tolerate their treatment due to severe weakness and dramatic weight loss. However, a patient can maintain their weight by maintaining a good and healthy diet pattern and can fight the cancer journey very quickly. Physical fitness is very important in fighting cancer and tolerating treatment side effects. However, a healthy diet plays an essential role throughout the treatment plan.