Contents:
- Medical Video: Cancer-Fighting Foods
- The role of food during chemotherapy
- How to deal with chemotherapy patients who are malnourished
Medical Video: Cancer-Fighting Foods
Malnutrition is the most common case in people with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy. In fact, when people with cancer experience malnutrition, the body's response to cancer treatment and the ability to tolerate the side effects of treatment is getting worse. This is certainly very disturbing the healing process. Therefore, malnutrition in cancer patients must be addressed properly. Here's how to overcome malnutrition during chemotherapy.
The role of food during chemotherapy
Nutrition during cancer treatment is the most important thing and should not be ignored. With sufficient nutrients, this makes the body stronger to deal with all the side effects of treatment while accelerating recovery.
The stronger the body, the faster cancer patients can recover. Nutrients are very important during chemotherapy because they function to:
- Supports immune function
- Maintain body muscle mass
- Rebuilding damaged body tissue
- Increases overall energy and strength
- Reducing the risk of infection
- Improve the quality of life of patients
How to deal with chemotherapy patients who are malnourished
How to deal with malnutrition will certainly be different for each patient. This depends on the needs and treatment of each. However, some of these are basically those needed by malnourished people during chemotherapy:
- A diet high in protein and high in calories. To meet the high protein and calorie requirements during chemotherapy, people who have experienced malnutrition must eat more high-protein and high-calorie foods. Such as bread, green bean porridge, fish, eggs, milk, rice, chicken meat, beans, and others.
- Take vitamin and mineral supplements recommended by your doctor or nutritionist.
- Add liquid foods such as smoothies, juices or fruit juices. You can also eat other foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Especially after finishing chemotherapy. Usually after chemotherapy you will feel nauseous so you need foods that are easily swallowed.
- Eat small portions but often, for example 5-6 times a day. Eat a little but often will help prevent nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy.
- Include food from all food groups. Food must be nutritiously balanced. Don't be too picky about food, let alone choose unhealthy ones like junk food.
- Add more fruits and vegetables.
- Maintain body fluid balance. Drink more water to prevent dehydration.
- Avoid spicy, high-sugar, and foods that smell sharp during chemotherapy.
