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Chemotherapy is a very important treatment for millions of cancer patients worldwide. However, it often brings diet-related side effects that can alter a person’s relationship with food. Certain dishes and smells might trigger nausea and create negative associations with mealtime, complicating the challenge of maintaining good nutrition.
Malnutrition can have severe repercussions for cancer patients. Research indicates that malnutrition is responsible for up to 20% of cancer-related deaths.
Understanding Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy is frequently a crucial part of multimodal treatment plans for conditions like mesothelioma. While it brings significant challenges, it’s important to navigate these difficulties effectively. Feeling frustrated when chemo impacts daily life, including diet, is natural.
Foods to Avoid During Chemotherapy
Some foods may exacerbate chemo-related eating difficulties, while others pose unnecessary risks, such as the potential for food poisoning. The list below highlights foods to avoid during chemotherapy and explains how each can negatively affect treatment.
1. Alcohol
Reason to Avoid: Alcohol can aggravate diarrhea and lead to dehydration. Dehydration may cause nausea, making it even harder for patients to eat properly.
2. Citrus Fruits
Reason to Avoid: Chemotherapy can cause mouth sores in some patients. Acidic foods like oranges and grapefruits can worsen these sores, making them painful and further reducing the desire to eat.
3. Unappealing Foods
Reason to Avoid: Forcing oneself to eat foods perceived as gross can create long-lasting negative associations. For example, a breast cancer patient found yogurt’s texture revolting due to chemo but forced herself to eat it for its nutritional value. Post-treatment, she could no longer eat plain yogurt due to these negative associations.
4. Hot, Aromatic Foods
Reason to Avoid: Hot or strong-smelling foods may trigger nausea. While individual experiences vary, some patients may find comfort in certain hot foods. It’s crucial to prioritize foods that are comforting without causing nausea.
5. Raw or Undercooked Eggs, Meat, or Seafood
Reason to Avoid: Cancer and its treatments weaken the immune system, increasing infection risk. Raw or undercooked animal products can cause food-borne illnesses, complicating the eating process further. Avoiding these foods until after treatment is advisable.
6. Unpasteurized Milk, Cheese, or Juice
Reason to Avoid: Unpasteurized dairy products and juices may harbor harmful bacteria. With a weakened immune system, chemo patients are less able to fight off infections, so these foods should be avoided during treatment.
7. Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables
Reason to Avoid: Unwashed produce can carry germs that cause illnesses. Skipping these foods can help reduce the risk of infections for cancer patients.
Precautionary Measures: To minimize the risk of food-borne illness, it’s crucial to avoid raw, unpasteurized, and unwashed foods. Additional recommendations include:
- Avoiding perishable foods left at room temperature for more than 2 hours
- Do make sure hot foods stay hot and also cold foods stay cold
8. Favorite Foods
Reason to Avoid: Eating a favorite meal while nauseated can create negative associations, leading to a lasting dislike for that food post-treatment.
Your Chemo Dietary Restrictions Are Personal
Each cancer patient’s experience with chemotherapy side effects is unique. Dietary and nutritional plans should be customized to meet individual needs. Discuss any eating challenges with your oncology team promptly to develop a suitable nutrition strategy.
Conclusion
Navigating dietary restrictions during chemotherapy can be challenging, but with careful planning and the right support, it is possible to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. By avoiding foods that may exacerbate treatment side effects or pose infection risks, patients can focus on their recovery and overall well-being.
FAQs
1. Why is it important to avoid alcohol during chemotherapy?
Alcohol can worsen dehydration and nausea, making it harder for patients to maintain proper nutrition.
2. Can I eat citrus fruits if I don’t have mouth sores?
If you don’t have mouth sores, citrus fruits can be a good source of vitamin C. However, monitor your tolerance and consult with your healthcare provider.
3. What should I do if I can’t eat my favorite foods during treatment?
It’s advisable to avoid forcing yourself to eat favorite foods that cause nausea to prevent developing a lasting aversion to them.
4. Are there any safe hot foods I can eat during chemotherapy?
Yes, but choose hot foods that don’t have strong odors, as these can trigger nausea. Simple, lightly seasoned soups and broths are often well-tolerated.
5. How can I ensure my fruits and vegetables are safe to eat?
Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove germs and bacteria that can cause infections, especially with a weakened immune system.
