Fighting a battle with cancer can be overwhelming at times and there are many obstacles to overcome. While undergoing treatment, your body will go through big changes and you will need to adjust to them. After treatment, you will want to do everything you can to keep the cancer from recurring. A healthy diet can help you with all these challenges and can help you live longer.
Healthy Eating after Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment has side effects that can cause eating problems. You may experience a change in appetite or your mouth and throat may be sore so that you have trouble chewing and swallowing. Your digestive tract may be affected and you may have diarrhea or constipation. Food may smell and taste differently and you may experience either weight gain or loss. During different stages of treatment patients may be recommended specific diets such as the clear liquid diet, full liquid diet or soft food diet. This can be suggested for people with all types of cancers going through chemotherapy like colon cancer, breast cancer and rare forms of cancers like mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer.
The American Cancer Society suggests that cancer patients eat a variety of foods that include five or more servings of fruits and vegetables. These are full of antioxidants that nourish and protect cells. All grains need to be whole grains and dairy products should be limited. Protein needs to be low in saturated fats, so pick lean meat, fish, eggs, seeds, beans, and nuts. Things to avoid completely or to eat very little of are fatty meats and refined sugar.
Preventing Cancer with Diet
There are certain natural ingredients in fruits and vegetables that have been shown to prevent cancer and to keep it from returning. These phytochemicals will support the immune system, repair DNA, support enzymatic function, and help to detoxify the body so disease-causing toxins are flushed out.
The Prostrate Cancer Foundation has dietary guidelines to help prevent prostate cancer. One guideline is to watch the number of calories you consume and to exercise so that you maintain a healthy weight. Limit consumption of fat from dairy products and red meat. Suggested foods are fish which has omega-3 fatty acids, tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables, soy, and green tea. Cruciferous vegetables include bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cress, broccoli, kale, and rutabaga.
The American Cancer Society states that diet plays a part in preventing colorectal cancer. It is suggested that you eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day. You also need to avoid red meat and processed meat as there has been a connection shown between these foods and developing colorectal cancer. Alcohol consumption has been shown to increase the risk of colorectal cancer, especially in men, so it should be limited.
Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people's lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading, and playing with her dog, April.
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