Cancer and Nutrition
After receiving a cancer diagnosis, a challenging period lies ahead. Due to the illness itself or side effects of the treatment, we may face issues related to nutrition. It’s important to remember that we are not alone or helpless during this process. By having regular consultations with your dietitian, such problems can be managed or even prevented. The key point here is to attend regular check-ups and follow-ups.
From the moment of diagnosis, we can proceed by applying scientifically-based and proven treatment methods and improve our health in the most accurate way.
Nutrition is a crucial part of cancer treatment. A nutrition plan tailored to the treatment process, overall health status, and any existing comorbidities, along with regular monitoring by your dietitian, helps manage side effects of the treatment more easily and enhances the effectiveness of the treatment, increasing our chances of a successful outcome.
One of the most recommended dietary models for individuals diagnosed with cancer is the Mediterranean Diet. At this stage, in addition to the person’s age, height, and body weight, other health conditions, general eating habits, treatment plan, and side effects that may affect nutrition are taken into consideration while creating a personalized nutrition plan.
During control visits, working together with your doctor and dietitian in a multidisciplinary approach helps to make joint decisions and improves survival outcomes and treatment success. This increased success significantly enhances quality of life. The goal is always to move forward with solutions and environments that positively influence health.
There is a lot of information today about cancer, especially related to nutrition, miracle cures, and herbal products. Much of this information lacks credible sources and is not scientifically based. You can discuss any concerns or ideas about your nutrition with your dietitian, who will help you access clear, evidence-based information. In this context, always consult your dietitian and doctor before using any food or supplement that you believe may be beneficial.
How Should We Cook?
Cooking methods such as barbecuing, where food comes into direct contact with fire, can increase cancer risk. Foods cooked close to charcoal may contain toxic substances that adversely affect our health. Similarly, it’s better to avoid cooking or storing food at high temperatures through methods like frying, roasting, grilling, or smoking. Instead, we can prefer healthier methods such as boiling, steaming, baking, and sautéing.
Foods to Be Cautious With
Some herbs like nettle, grapefruit, or pomegranate, which we often hear about, may interact with chemotherapy drugs. This can reduce the effectiveness of treatment or increase side effects, thus lowering our quality of life.
Supplements and Medications
During treatment, family members, close friends, or others may recommend certain foods, supplements, or medications that they claim helped them or someone they know. Because these remedies are labeled “natural” or “herbal,” they are often perceived as harmless. However, they may not match the patient’s specific needs and may interfere with the treatment. Taking supplements or medications should always be decided in consultation with your doctor and dietitian to increase treatment success.
Loss of Appetite
Lack of appetite is a common issue during treatment. To stimulate appetite, it’s helpful to keep easily accessible foods like walnuts, hazelnuts, apples, or strawberries nearby. During the transition period, dry snacks like cookies or cakes with low moisture content can also be used. If appetite loss continues and leads to significant weight loss, consult your doctor and dietitian. In some cases, nutritional supplements, enteral products, or medications may be recommended.
Our Taste Buds May Function Less
During chemotherapy, maintaining a balanced intake of protein, carbohydrates, and fats can improve treatment success. Chemotherapy may cause physiological changes that affect taste, smell, swallowing, and chewing. You may find yourself disliking foods you previously enjoyed, or craving foods you usually disliked. This is a common and temporary experience.
Nausea
Nausea and vomiting are among the most common side effects during treatment. Foods with strong odors or high-fat content may become less tolerable. Dry snacks like crispbread, crackers, or toast may help alleviate nausea. Drinking beverages such as water, ayran (a yogurt-based drink), or mineral water between meals rather than with food can also help. Wearing loose-fitting clothes may reduce the feeling of pressure and help ease nausea. Adding ginger or cumin to meals can help prevent nausea and vomiting.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, pain, and sores may make eating difficult during treatment. Avoid sour, spicy, acidic, salty, and heavily seasoned foods, and avoid consuming foods that are too hot or cold. If swallowing becomes difficult, food can be pureed or finely chopped. To relieve dry mouth, sip small amounts of water frequently. You can flavor beverages with ingredients like ginger, cinnamon, mint, mineral water, or lemon. Chewing minty or menthol-flavored gum or candy may also help with dry mouth.
Changes in Bowel Habits
Diarrhea and constipation are common symptoms during treatment. In case of diarrhea, reduce intake of high-fiber foods, fatty dishes, dairy products, and foods containing artificial sweeteners. After consulting with your doctor and dietitian, you may consume foods low in fiber but rich in starch and minerals like salty ayran, bananas, potatoes, carrots, and rice, which are also rich in sodium and potassium. If experiencing constipation, increase your intake of high-fiber foods. Whether it’s diarrhea or constipation, drink plenty of water to meet your fluid needs.
Alcohol and Smoking
Both alcohol and tobacco create physical and psychological dependencies and can reduce treatment success, even when used separately. They also increase the risk of disease. Limiting or quitting alcohol and smoking can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Cancer and Body Weight Management
After diagnosis, your nutrition plan should be adjusted according to your current body weight and eating habits. It is generally recommended that cancer patients avoid significant weight gain or loss during this period. Staying within an ideal weight range has a positive impact on treatment and survival outcomes.
Does Sugar Feed Cancer?
The statement “Sugar feeds cancer cells” is often heard. Glucose, a component of sugar, is actually the primary energy source for all cells in the body. Since glucose is found in many carbohydrates we consume, this belief is not based on solid evidence or logic. Carbohydrates consumed in healthy amounts and according to individual needs greatly contribute to our health and treatment success.
The sugar often referred to here is sucrose, which is found in sweets, cakes, pastries, and sugary drinks. Sucrose is a combination of two sugar molecules and breaks down quickly, rapidly raising blood sugar levels. These spikes can affect insulin levels and disturb cellular balance. Creating a balanced and individualized diet plan with your dietitian will enhance treatment success.
