Contents:
- Medical Video: Food for the Fight - Nutrition Advice for Cancer Patients
- Food intake for cancer patients
- Protein
- Carbohydrate
- How much protein and carbohydrate do cancer patients need?
- Protein
- Carbohydrate
Medical Video: Food for the Fight - Nutrition Advice for Cancer Patients
Good food nutrition is very important for people with cancer because this affects their overall health condition. Yes, besides making your body feel better, foods that are rich in nutrients can also reduce the risk of infection and speed up the recovery process after cancer treatment. Food intake for cancer patients who must be consumed daily is protein and carbohydrates.
Food intake for cancer patients
Protein
Protein consists of amino acids that are useful for growth, repair of body tissues, and maintenance of the immune system. Protein also helps the body to make cells, hormones and enzymes. Without adequate protein intake, the body will need more time to recover from the disease and can be easily infected with the disease.
People who undergo cancer treatment need more protein. Eating protein before and after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy can help repair damaged tissue and prevent infection.
A good source of protein is in animal foods such as lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Plant foods such as beans, dried beans, peas, and soy foods are also sources of protein.
More protein content is found in plants than animals. Plant-based protein has benefits for people with poor kidney function.
Carbohydrate
Carbohydrates can provide the energy needed by the body during cancer treatment. Bread, pasta, wheat, cereal products, dried beans, peas, lentils, fruits, and vegetables are sources of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates contained in whole wheat are the best carbohydrates.
There are three types of carbohydrates, namely complex carbohydrates (vegetables, beans, wheat), simple carbohydrates (white bread and white rice), and sugar (honey, sweet drinks, and sweets).
All carbohydrates are broken down into sugars when carbohydrates are digested in the intestine. The sugar that enters the blood can increase blood sugar levels so that the body reacts and produces insulin.
Insulin is useful to help body cells get energy and is also useful for regulating blood sugar levels. This high level of insulin can affect cancer risk.
Although more research needs to be done, many health experts believe that foods that contain a low glycemic index have a better effect on the body, both for healthy people and for cancer patients.
Yes, foods with a low glycemic index contain complex carbohydrates, and take longer to digest in the body. As a result, your blood sugar levels become easier to control.
The following are foods for cancer patients with low glycemic levels:
- Grains like wheat
- Brown rice
- Quinoa, barley and other legumes
- Fruits in cereal for breakfast
How much protein and carbohydrate do cancer patients need?
Protein
Protein that the body needs is at least 50 grams for women and 60 grams more for men. However, people who are undergoing cancer treatment need at least 1 gram of protein for every kg of body weight.
Usually, protein requirements will be increased before and during treatment. Consult with a nutritionist to find out how much protein is needed before, during and after cancer treatment.
Carbohydrate
The Heart Association recently released a recommended food guide for everyone. This guide is useful for reducing the intake of drinks and foods that contain sugar.
Women may not consume calories from sugar additions of more than 100 calories per day, and men may not consume more than 150 calories per day from added sugar.
