Having a balanced and healthy diet, which provides the essential nutrients and calories is usually not a problem in healthy individuals. However, it becomes challenging for cancer patients as the illness and treatment side effects can reduce one's tolerance to foods. This makes getting the adequate nutritional needs a difficult task. Without adequate nutrition, cancer patients may feel too weak and deemed unfit to continue the treatment.
Eating well during treatment can help cancer patients:
- Feel better
- Maintain good energy levels
- Better tolerate cancer treatment side effects
- Lower risk of infection
- Heal and recover faster
- Maintain a stable weight
During cancer treatment, patients are encouraged to include a variety of foods in their diets, mainly from carbohydrate, protein and fat.
Fruits and vegetables should be included in at least two meals a day as they provide fibre to promote regular bowel movement and essential vitamins and minerals.
Please note: It is important to avoid imposing unnecessary restrictions on your diet as no single food contains all the nutrients you need.
