A healthy diet during cancer treatment is essential to help your body remain strong to fight the cancer, rebuild tissues and cells damaged by the cancer and the treatment, and maintain a healthy immune system. You may also find that you can use your diet to minimize some of the side effects that are so common during treatment for breast cancer. It is important to take care of your body during treatment so that it can fight the cancer.
Varied Balanced Diet
Cancer patients should eat a varied diet. The diet should be rich in fruits and vegetables to provide the body with essential vitamins. Patients should also eat foods that are high in fiber to aid the digestive system which is often irritated by certain cancer treatments. A varied diet should also include proteins found in meat, beans and dairy products. Dairy products are also important because they provide the body with calcium and other vitamins and minerals. It is also important that you drink plenty of water during your treatment.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid foods that are fried or high in fat as they may increase the nausea common in patients being treated for cancer. You should talk to your doctor regarding other foods to avoid, as there are certain minerals and other food components that can interfere with certain cancer fighting drugs. You may also be advised to avoid sushi and other rare or raw meats due to the vulnerability of your immune system during treatment.
Eat Frequent Small Meals
Because nausea, appetite loss, and other stomach problems are common during cancer treatment, it is often advised that you eat frequent small meals to ensure that you maintain your strength and avoid losing too much weight. It is important to maintain a healthy diet to keep up your strength even when you do not feel up to eating.
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