Diet For Cancer Patients: Nutrition, Foods And Tips For Longevity

A cancer diagnosis often brings a whirlwind of change, impacting not only physical and emotional well-being but also dietary needs. In the face of this formidable foe, proper nutrition becomes a powerful ally, offering the strength and sustenance needed to navigate treatment while promoting long-term health. 

This blog serves as a compass, guiding cancer patients through the complexities of dietary choices and empowering them to wield food as a tool for resilience and recovery.

You will discover how specific nutrients bolster immunity, combat side effects, and support the healing process. We will explore a diverse diet for cancer patients, from antioxidant-rich berries to protein-packed legumes, along with essential tips for longevity. So, read on the blog to know!

Table Of Contents

1. What Diet Is Best For Cancer Patients?

2. Nutrition For Cancer Patients 

3. What Are The Top 4 Cancer Fighting Foods?

4. What Helps Cancer Patients Live Longer?

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

7. References 

What Diet Is Best For Cancer Patients?

Following a healthy diet for cancer patients becomes crucial as it enables the body to be strong enough to be resistant to the side effects that can occur in the course of treatment. Cancer weakens the human body. Through good nutrition, cancer patients can enhance their immune system and fight disease. 

Healthy nutrition also supports the health of tissues that can be injured during the disease and its therapy. All cancer therapies are cytotoxic. However, very few healthy cells are destroyed in this process. It is possible that you will have to modify your diet so that you can get stronger and avoid cancer and its treatment. Let’s discuss this diet for cancer patients. 

Sample Diet For Cancer Patients

During treatment, following a proper diet for cancer patients becomes important to meet the patient's personal and cultural preferences and symptom-related needs.

The goal of nutritional care during cancer treatment is:

• To ensure, maintain, or restore good nutrition status.

• Reduce the risk of eating disorders due to cancer and/or its treatment.

• Improve body strength, health and quality of life.

Also Read: Raw Avocado Juice: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects

Nutrition For Cancer Patients

When undergoing cancer treatment, it may be necessary to modify your diet to gain strength and combat cancer and its treatment. This might involve eating foods that are not recommended if you are healthy. 

The nutritional requirements of cancer patients differ from one person to another. Your cancer treatment team can assist you in defining your nutritional goals and planning strategies to meet them. Eating well during cancer treatment may help you:

• Feel better

• Keep up your strength and energy

• Maintain your weight and your body’s store of nutrients

• Better tolerate treatment-related side effects

• Lower the risk of infection

• Heal and recover faster

To eat well is to eat foods that provide the necessary nutrients to fight cancer. Such nutrients are proteins, fats, carbohydrates, water, vitamins, and minerals. All these must be included in the diet for cancer patients. Let us read how they are important for cancer patients:

1. Proteins

Protein helps you grow, repair body tissues, and maintain a healthy immune system. When your body does not get enough protein, it breaks down muscles to get the energy it requires. This may lead to prolonged recovery and lower resistance to infection. 

Cancer patients require greater amounts of protein than normal. Additional proteins are also needed after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy to help tissues heal and fight infection. Sources of protein that are considered good are:

Also Read: Top 6 Protein Foods And Their Health Benefits

• Fish

• Poultry

• Eggs

• Low-fat dairy products

• Nuts and nut butter

• Dried beans

• Peas

• Lentils

• Soy products

2. Fats

Fats and oils are a storehouse of energy for the body. Fat is oxidised by the body and used as a source of energy to protect body tissues and to transport some vitamins through the blood. 

When it comes to the effect of fat on your heart and cholesterol levels, opt for monounsaturated fatty acids (olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (present primarily in safflower oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, flaxseed oil, and seafood oil). Hence, fats should be included in the diet for cancer patients.

3. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy. Carbohydrates supply your body with the energy necessary for physical activity and the proper functioning of organs. 

Fruits like bananas and pineapples, vegetables like broccoli and carrots, and whole grains are the best sources of these nutrients. They are also rich sources of vitamins, minerals, fibre, and phytonutrients. 

Other sources of carbohydrates include bread, rice, spaghetti, pasta, cereal, corn, peas, and beans. Sweets (desserts, candies, and sugar-sweetened beverages) may serve carbohydrates but offer few vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.

4. Vitamins And Minerals

The body needs vitamins and minerals to function properly and use the energy that is contained in food. A balanced diet containing the required amount of calories and protein is generally enough to provide you with the necessary vitamins and minerals. 

Nevertheless, keeping a balanced diet takes work, especially when there are side effects from the treatment. If you develop side effects, your doctor or nutritionist may suggest taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. 

If the side effects of your treatment make it necessary to reduce your food intake for several weeks or months, notify your doctor. You may require blood tests for vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

Also Read: 5 Essential Nutrients With Tips For Ensuring Adequacy

What Are The Top 4 Cancer Fighting Foods?

As per numerous researchers, a balanced diet may improve your chances of surviving cancer. Here is a list of the best foods to fight cancer that should be included in a patient’s diet during cancer.

What Helps Cancer Patients Live Longer?

With the help of the following tips, cancer patients can live longer:

1. Take Care Of Your Mental Health

Your mental and emotional health may be affected by a cancer diagnosis and all the following. Survivors sometimes suffer from stress, anxiety, depression and related issues. So, care for your mind and ensure your body is healthy. If you think you might need medical assistance, please call a doctor. Therapy and medication can help to alleviate the symptoms of mental duress. 

Also Read: These Healthy Habits For Mental Health Will Change You

2. Quit Smoking

You've heard this before. However, if you smoke, the best action that a survivor can take is to quit. It also minimises the chances of getting another cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other severe conditions that may affect the survivors. If you do not smoke, make sure you do not smoke and try to avoid second smoke.

3. Stay Physically Active

For various reasons, it is difficult for everyone to include physical activity daily. However, the benefits for cancer patients are also worth the effort for those undergoing treatment. 

Regular physical activity and exercises can help improve your overall health by increasing energy and mobility and reducing stress, depression, and cancer-related symptoms. It may also reduce cancer risk and increase survival after cancer.

Start by moving your body a little more than usual. Even small things can make a big difference. A long-term goal is to do at least 30 minutes of activity per day (such as walking) and two or more high-intensity activities (such as stretching or using a resistance band) on the weekend.

4. Maintain A Healthy Weight 

Along with following a healthy diet for cancer patients, weight management is important. Weight can be a difficult topic for many survivors, as a cancer diagnosis can be associated with stress, treatment results, and changes in daily life. Furthermore, when cancer occurs, the structure of the body also changes.

 But working hard to control your weight is one of the best ways to improve your health and quality of life.

5. Healthy Eating 

It may seem surprising, but the best diet for survivors is the same for everyone. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats like olive and canola. Eating natural and home-cooked foods is the best diet for cancer patients.

6. Don't Drink Alcohol  

The more you learn about alcohol, the more you realise that abstinence is the healthiest choice. Even small amounts of alcohol can increase many risks,  including the risk of other types of cancer.

Nurturing and building a support network can also improve quality of life and promote hope. But even in today's world of social media, many cancer patients feel isolated.

The Final Say

As this exploration of diet and cancer concludes, a powerful truth rings clear: food is not merely fuel; it is a weapon in the fight for well-being, a source of comfort in challenging times, and a foundation for long-term resilience.

A diet for cancer patients is not that different from a normal healthy diet. However, it can become a powerful change that can assist you in recovering and becoming strong every day, especially after cancer treatment. Ensure your diet contains an even balance of proteins, fats, carbs and vitamins & minerals and follow important lifestyle tips mentioned in the blog to attain longevity. 

This blog can serve as a compass, but the ultimate map resides within you. Listen to your body, consult with your healthcare team, and experiment with nourishing choices that fuel your spirit.

FAQs

1. What can help cancer patients live longer?

A healthy diet and regular exercise can help you manage your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight has been shown to help survivors of breast, prostate, and breast cancer, and possibly other types of cancer, live longer, healthier lives.

2. Can people with cancer drink milk?

Yes, current dietary guidelines recommend 2-3 glasses or several glasses per day to ensure adequate absorption of nutrients such as calcium and potassium. However, the ideal amount of dairy products is at most two glasses daily (equivalent to two glasses of milk).

3. What fruits should be included in the diet plan for cancer patients?

Fruits like bananas, grapefruit, berries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries should be included in the diet plan for cancer patients. 

4. What are the foods for cancer patients to avoid?

Foods that must be avoided by cancer patients are

• Unpasteurised juice

• Cider

• Milk

• Yoghurt or backyard eggs

5. What meals are good for cancer?

These are the meals that are good for cancer patients:

• Oatmeal

• Yoghurt

• Smoothies

• Hummus with soft pita bread

References

• Nutrition and cancer: A review of the evidence for an anti-cancer diet - PMC

• Benefits of Good Nutrition During Cancer Treatment

• Nutritious Diet for Cancer Patients- Galaxy Care Hospital, Pune

• Nutrition in Cancer Care - NCI

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