During chemotherapy, patients face a more fragile immune system, and often experience symptoms such as loss of appetite and anorexia under the attack of toxic side effects. Chemotherapy patients have higher nutritional needs, and diet has an important impact on the patient's status and treatment effect. Patients often ask us which foods are better and more nutritious to eat during chemotherapy, and here are some dietary suggestions and dietary tips to deal with side effects.
What foods are better to eat during chemotherapy?
The general principles of the patient's diet during chemotherapy should be: high calorie, high protein, high vitamin, appropriate dietary fiber, and light and easy to digest diet.
1. High-calorie foods
In order to maintain the nutritional status and physical function of patients, it is necessary to ensure adequate energy intake, such as high-calorie foods such as rice, noodles, sweet potatoes and other foods with high starch, as well as nuts, edible oil and other foods containing certain fats.
2. High quality and high protein
Protein is an important raw material for the composition of human cells and tissues, which can help repair damaged tissues and organs and promote the recovery of human body functions. Cancer patients should consume 45-80 grams of protein per day, with priority given to high-quality protein, including eggs, milk, fish, chicken, duck, shrimp, lean beef, lean mutton, lean pork, nuts, soybeans and soy products. The daily diet should take into account both animal protein and vegetable protein.
3. High in vitamins
Vitamins are indispensable nutrients that can prevent the malignant transformation of epithelial cells and repair epithelial cell damage, thereby reducing the risk of cancer. The main sources of various vitamins are a variety of vegetables, fruits, animal liver, etc. Vitamins can be obtained from the daily diet, unless a certain vitamin is clearly deficient, and supplementation with vitamin products is generally not recommended.
Vitamin A: carrots, pumpkin, persimmons, spinach, egg yolks, liver, cod liver oil and milk, etc.; Vitamin B: cereals, legumes, animal liver, poultry eggs, lean meat, etc.; Vitamin C: all kinds of green vegetables and fruits such as pomegranates, kiwifruits, lemons, oranges, etc.; Vitamin D: seafood, animal liver, lean meat, etc., appropriate sunbathing; Vitamin E: Cereals, nuts and leafy greens.
4. Moderate amount of dietary fiber
Dietary fibre is mainly found in cereals, potatoes, legumes, vegetables and fruits. Dietary fiber helps to promote intestinal peristalsis, prevent and improve symptoms such as indigestion and constipation, thereby reducing gastrointestinal discomfort. It can also promote the discharge of harmful substances and protect intestinal health.
5. Light and easy to digest
A light, easy-to-digest diet can help prevent and alleviate gastrointestinal adverse effects during chemotherapy. Light refers to a diet that is low in oil, salt, sugar, cholesterol, and spicy stimulation. In cooking, try to choose boiling, steaming, and stewing methods, and reduce oil, salt, sugar and other seasonings. Easy to digest refers to semi-liquid, liquid or soft food with little residue. Patients can eat more semi-liquid foods such as porridge (such as barley porridge, ginger porridge, tangerine peel porridge, mung bean porridge, minced meat porridge, fish fillet porridge, etc.), noodles, rice noodles, soy milk, egg custard, lotus root powder, etc., with soft vegetables and fruits.
Dietary tips for coping with side effects
1. Loss of appetite
Tell your doctor about appropriate nutritional interventions. Eat the most abundant meals during the day when your appetite is at your best, and prioritize high-protein, high-calorie foods. Eat more favorite foods and don't overemphasize taboos. Encourage people to eat as much as they can, and if they really can't eat, don't force themselves to eat. Change the cooking method frequently, pay attention to the combination of color, aroma and taste to enhance the patient's appetite. Accompany patients to eat and create a warm and comfortable dining environment.
2. Nausea and vomiting
It is advisable to choose light, easy-to-digest foods and eat small meals frequently. Avoid foods that are high in sugar, fat, hypergas, and spicy and irritating. Semi-liquid and liquid diets are the mainstay, such as porridge, noodles, soups, etc. Add some ginger and lemon juice to your food to help stop nausea. It can be used to appetize and strengthen the spleen with medicinal diet, such as hawthorn diced meat, astragalus, yam, radish, tangerine peel, etc. Avoid foods that smell too strong and keep the dining environment fresh and comfortable. When severe nausea and vomiting occur, fasting should be done, and when symptoms are relieved, slowly transition from liquid food to soft food.
3. Oral scab
Give a light, easy-to-digest diet of soft or semi-liquid food, and eat through a straw if necessary. Eat food at room temperature and avoid foods that are too cold and too hot. Do not eat raw, rough, bulky, acidic or irritating foods. Proper supplementation with B vitamins can help prevent and relieve mouth sores.
4. Constipation
Eat plenty of foods rich in crude fiber, as well as vitamin-rich foods. Drink yogurt before or after meals to regulate intestinal function. Drinking plenty of water and exercising properly can also help enhance bowel movements. Add laxative foods such as sesame oil and peak honey to food.
5. Diarrhea
Avoid raw, cold, greasy, spicy and irritating foods. Avoid gas-producing foods such as beans, turnips, broccoli, cabbage, etc. Eat vegetables with low fiber content such as winter melon, spinach, cabbage, cucumbers, gourds, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. Try to cook as soft as possible. Eat some foods with high potassium and sodium content, such as bananas, oranges, and peaches. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.