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According to experts from the Food and Nutrition Institute in Warsaw, a large proportion of cancer patients die not as a result of the devastation caused by cancer, but as a result of malnutrition.
The material was created in cooperation with Nutramil Complex.
It turns out that the problem of malnutrition concerns not only the so-called Third World, with a low level of economic development. Many cancer patients are diagnosed with malnutrition.
A properly composed diet provides a healthy body with all the necessary ingredients for the functioning of the body. If it is properly balanced, it provides 100% of the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It plays a special role in patients struggling with neoplastic disease, which causes changes in food metabolism. Cancer can also cause malabsorption of certain food ingredients – vitamins and minerals.
Therefore, the diet of an oncological patient plays an extremely important role:
- is to help maintain lean muscle mass,
- give the patient strength to fight the disease,
- it is an element of therapy,
- it also helps to eliminate the side effects of therapy and supports the patient’s immune system.
What should an oncological patient’s diet look like?
In a patient with cancer, all restrictive diets should be dispensed with. Meals are to be composed in such a way as to provide a sufficient amount of energy (kcal), carbohydrates, fats and wholesome protein.
Side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy can include food intake problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia. Patients also frequently complain of diarrhea or constipation. Often, even after a small amount of a meal, the patient feels full or even overcrowded. This can lead to the patient becoming thinner.
Therefore, the patient’s menu should be structured in such a way as to include the maximum nutritional value even in a small amount of a meal.
It is very important to remember to drink enough fluids during the day (min. 2 liters a day).
General principles of nourishing a patient with neoplastic disease
When preparing meals, it is worth applying a few rules:
- portions should be small in volume,
- meals should be eaten often – 5-7 times a day (every 2-3 hours),
- each meal should be properly balanced, i.e. contain the right proportions in the amount of protein, fats, sugars, minerals and vitamins,
- the meal should be wholesome, but also tasty, it is necessary to take into account the taste preferences of a person suffering from cancer,
- avoid monotony in the diet – remember to diversify your menu (for example: the source of protein is lean meat, tofu, eggs, and also fish),
- avoid dishes with a very intense smell that could discourage the patient from eating,
- add vegetable fat, fatty milk and its products to the meal,
- if the patient does not tolerate hot spices – exclude them from the menu,
- in between meals, in addition to water, the patient can be given high-energy drinks, such as fruit juices or milk-based cocktails. It is also worth reaching for food for special medical purposes, such as Nutramil Complex Protein. They are granulated products and can be prepared in the form of a delicious cocktail (available in 3 flavors: neutral, vanilla and strawberry),
- if the patient undergoes radiotherapy, fresh fruit juices, due to the high content of fruit acids, may cause irritation of the mucosa. You can try to serve relatively well-tolerated juices from beetroot, carrot or other root vegetables,
- as soon as possible prepare the patient’s favorite dishes, enhancing the preferred flavors.
If the patient has irritations in the area of the mouth, remember that the consistency of the food should be such that the patient can eat it without any problems. If eating solids is a problem for a cancer patient, prepare them in the form of mash. But remember, do not mix everything together so as not to lose the nice appearance of the dishes.
It is also worth limiting the consumption of salt and animal fats.
Not all diets are healthy and safe for our body. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting any diet, even if you do not have any health concerns.
When choosing a diet, never follow the current fashion. Remember that some diets, incl. low in particular nutrients or strongly limiting calories, and mono-diets can be debilitating for the body, carry a risk of eating disorders, and can also increase appetite, contributing to a quick return to the former weight.
Remember – protein is essential
At each stage of cancer therapy, remember that meals should be rich in protein. A patient struggling with cancer needs more of it for the regeneration of damaged cells, better healing of postoperative wounds, and the proper functioning of the immune system.
Experts believe that in patients with normal kidney function, even 2 g of protein per kg of body weight per day is safe2.
Protein sources in a cancer patient’s baby:
- lean white meat
- fish meat,
- eggs,
- cheeses and dairy products,
- legumes,
- seeds, nuts
- tofu.
Cancer patient’s diet – what to do when meals are not enough?
An oncological patient’s demand for energy may be up to 20% higher than that of a healthy person. The body, fighting cancer, needs and uses more energy than the body of a healthy person.
If the patient has problems with taking the right amount of food, he feels full quickly, he may become malnourished, and thus the risk of complications in cancer therapy and the destruction of the patient’s organism may increase. In such a situation, it is worth considering the inclusion of food for special medical purposes, called oral nutritional supplements (ONS). Products such as Nutramil Complex, being wholesome diets, can replace a meal. They are also an excellent high-energy supplement to the patient’s daily diet.
ONS can be consumed in the form of a prepared liquid or added to a meal, thus increasing its energy. High-protein preparations (eg Nutramil Complex Protein) added to the dish will enrich them not only in terms of the energy of the meal, but also ensure a higher supply of protein, so necessary for the patient to fight cancer. Nutramil Complex Protein in the form of granules is available in three flavors: vanilla, strawberry and neutral. You can add it to dishes – salads, soups, yoghurts or cakes. Nutramil complex Protein can also be prepared as a tasty cocktail and served as a separate meal to the patient.
It is important to dispel any nutritional doubts with the participation of a dietitian or doctor. The specialist will help you choose the right nutrients if for some reason the patient has problems with taking meals.
The material was created in cooperation with Nutramil Complex.