The foods we eat act as fuel for our bodies. They offer strength and stamina to power through the day. At no time is that this more essential than when an individual is undergoing treatment for cancer.

While lifesaving or life-preserving, chemotherapy and radiation treatments can take a toll on an individual’s body and significantly affect their weight loss plan.

For instance, chemotherapy not only kills rapidly dividing cancer cells, but additionally it could destroy fast-growing healthy cells. This will cause nausea or appetite changes, leading patients to eat fewer calories than needed. Other treatments may cause uncomfortable dry mouth, diarrhea or constipation. Fortunately, these uncomfortable side effects could be overcome and thereby improve nutrition during treatment.

Weight changes

One in every of the things patients and caregivers ask about is weight changes during treatment. Generally, if a patient loses greater than 3 kilos in a single week, it is important to find if the loss was intentional or unintentional. If it’s intentional, the patient’s care team will discuss why this is happening and make sure that treatment plans are going well.

If the burden loss is unintentional, it is important to search out the cause and supply support. It is vital to avoid a rapid decline in weight because muscle tissue is being broken down during treatment. This may result in further lack of the patient’s stamina.

Poor appetite

The reason for weight reduction that patients report most incessantly is poor appetite. This can be a common side effect during cancer treatment.

To enhance nutrition during this time, it helps to plan for small, frequent meals. That could be daunting because patients and caregivers may not have the energy to make multiple meals every day.

One solution to get around that is to order a portion of what would have been normally eaten during breakfast, lunch and dinner for a fourth small meal. This makes it easier to plan and schedule additional meals with less work.

Listed below are other ways in which caregivers can assist a loved one who’s experiencing weight reduction resulting from poor appetite:

• Gently remind the loved one to eat small, frequent meals and snacks throughout the day.
• Offer starchy foods and high-protein foods together. For instance, a bit of toast and cheese stick.
• Keep cool drinks and juices close by. Drinking between meals keeps the person hydrated while avoiding filling up on liquids during mealtimes.
• Create nice settings for meals and eat together. Light a candle or place the table near a window to benefit from the view.
• Select high-calorie foods or nutrition complement drinks.

Nausea

Damage to the stomach and intestinal lining during cancer treatment may cause nausea and vomiting. Many medications can be found that control nausea and supply relief.

Patients and caregivers can also do other things to ease this side effect through weight loss plan, including:

• Select easily digestible foods, reminiscent of refined carbohydrates like white bread and potatoes. Avoid high-fiber, high protein foods, as these foods take longer to digest.
• Eat small, frequent meals to avoid overloading the stomach.
• Progressively sip clear liquids between meals, being careful to not gulp excess air.
• Avoid foods with strong smells. If needed, cook foods outdoors to attenuate smells.
• Use plastic, wood or bamboo utensils.
• Take medications as prescribed.

Dry mouth

Some cancer treatments and medications may cause dehydration and decreased saliva production. This results in uncomfortable dry mouth.

Follow the following tips to forestall sores and cavities:

• Increase fluid intake.
• Create extra saliva by chewing gum or sucking on hard candy or ice chips.
• Eat soft foods like avocado, applesauce or eggs.
• Use balm to maintain lips moist.
• Suck on sugarless candy or chew sugarless gum. Avoid mentholated candy.

Taste changes

Dry mouth and a general decrease in saliva can change the way in which that foods taste. In some cases, an entire lack of taste could make foods unappealing.

If this happens, try the following tips:

• Chew gum or suck on hard candy to alter the flavour within the mouth.
• Increase amount of seasoning in foods.
• Use nonmeat protein sources, like tofu, beans or lentils, if meat is unappealing.
• Use plastic, wood or bamboo utensils and dishes.
• Make foods that look and smell appealing.

Sore throat or mouth

A side effect of some chemotherapy and radiation treatments is a sore throat or mouth. This may make eating and drinking uncomfortable and painful.

Follow the following tips:

• Eat foods and drinks at a moderate temperature. Very popular or cold foods could be irritating.
• Select soft, bland foods like mashed potatoes or bananas.
• Avoid spicy or acidic foods.
• Use topical numbing cream if sores are present.
• Use a blender to smooth out foods.
• Take pain medication before mealtimes.
• Keep mouth clean and lips moist.
• Rinse mouth before and after meals with plain water.

Diarrhea and constipation

Bowel changes are unpleasant but common uncomfortable side effects in people receiving treatment for cancer. Diarrhea could be an uncomfortable problem, or an indication of something more serious. Diarrhea can also result in other problems, reminiscent of severe dehydration. Chemotherapy, pain medications, dehydration or being less lively may cause constipation.

Patients should modify their diets and behaviors in the event that they begin to experience:

• Diarrhea
  • Eat small, frequent meals and snacks.
  • Select soft, low-fiber foods.
  • Avoid caffeine.
  • Limit alcohol.
  • Limit dairy products.
  • Drink loads of room temperature fluids but less with meals and more between meals.
  • Take medications as prescribed. Ask your health care team before using any over-the-counter diarrhea medication.
  • Avoid extremely hot meals. Hot or very warm meals can increase the speed food moves through your digestive system.
• Constipation
  • Drink loads of fluids, not less than 64 ounces per day.
  • Eat prunes or drink prune juice.
  • Keep regular mealtimes.
  • Increase activity.
  • Use a stool softener.

It is vital to do what you possibly can to take care of calorie, protein and fluid intake during cancer treatment. Following dietary guidelines rigorously helps patients maintain strength and stamina during treatment.

Remember that in some cases, reminiscent of advanced cancer, eating may not affect the consequence of your illness or treatment. In these situations, attempting to follow specific dietary guidelines, reminiscent of adhering to a low-sodium or low-fat weight loss plan, is probably not practical.

Talk along with your care team about what you possibly can expect during treatment and the way long symptoms could last. Discuss all of your symptoms along with your health care team, especially people who affect your weight loss plan.

Watch the annual Lloyd & Ardis Peterson Cancer Symposium to assemble more weight loss plan suggestions and listen to from creator Brenda Elsagher, who offers a humorous account of her personal cancer experience:

Rose Prissel is a Mayo Clinic dietitian in Rochester, Minnesota.