You know good nutrition is crucial during cancer treatment, but chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can wipe out your appetite and energy. When cooking a healthy meal is the last thing you want to do, try these tips from Corey Tolbert, RD, LD, a licensed and registered dietitian at Cancer Wellness at Piedmont.
Stock your freezer. “I always recommend stocking your freezer before you begin cancer treatment,” says Tolbert. “Healthy casseroles and soups are easy to thaw and heat up when you don’t feel like cooking.” If someone offers to bring you a meal, suggest something freezer-friendly that you can eat now or later.
Embrace no-cook meals. “Sometimes people are sensitive to certain smells or warm foods during cancer treatment,” she says. “If this is the case, I suggest making chicken salad with rotisserie chicken or tuna salad with a can of tuna. You won’t have to do to a lot of prep and cold foods tend to be tolerated better.”
Eat plenty of protein. “If you are going through surgery, your protein needs will increase,” says Tolbert. “You need protein for healing.” Stock your kitchen with hardboiled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, string cheese and nuts.
Balance your meals. “Try to have a carbohydrate, protein, vegetable and fruit with most meals,” she says. “Fruits and vegetables have important phytonutrients that boost your immune system so your body can fight cancer and tolerate cancer treatment better.”
Eat omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and can improve your ability to tolerate chemotherapy. Find them in salmon, ground flax seeds, walnuts and chia seeds.
Eat starches first. “If your appetite is low, try eating a carbohydrate first because they tend to be higher in calories,” she advises. Starchy foods like Cream of Wheat, toast, an English muffin, a bagel, mashed potatoes, rice and noodles all tend to be well-tolerated.
“When people have side effects from cancer treatment, my main concern is their calorie intake,” says Tolbert. “I know it goes against some healthy eating recommendations, like eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, but if you don’t get your calories in and you lose weight quickly, your immune system will decline.”
Losing weight too quickly can make you more susceptible to illnesses like the common cold and can reduce your body’s ability to tolerate treatment. Tolbert recommends meeting with a dietitian before and during your cancer treatment journey to determine your calorie and macronutrient needs.
Learn more about cancer prevention, wellness and treatment from Cancer Wellness experts.