Hi there viewers!
Cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases known to mankind.
That's why talking about it can really be sensitive.
Chemotherapy can arrest rapidly growing cancer cells and save a life.
If you’re undergoing chemo you need to pay special attention to your nutrition to make
the entire treatment more effective.
In today's video, we’re talking about what to eat and avoid when going through chemotherapy.
Should you be eating raw eggs?
What about bone broth and fruit?
We’re discussing all that and more.
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First, let's take a look at the foods that you should be eating.
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Rely on dark green veggies.
Eating kale, spinach, bok choy, collard greens, mustard greens, and Swiss chard can bring
numerous benefits regardless if you’re fighting cancer or not.
They contain carotenoids, antioxidants, and flavonoids that help reduce the spread of
cancer cells.
They also boost the body's defense mechanism.
They are also rich in fiber and folate.
Chemotherapy can leave a trail of side effects like constipation, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea,
loss of appetite, sore mouth, and anemia.
Fiber can help you get rid of constipation and folate can reduce anemia.
Studies have shown them to reduce colorectal cancer.
Wash the greens thoroughly before consuming.
You don't want an extra dose of chemicals and pesticides to slow down the treatment.
You can even have them blanched or boiled.
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Never skip bone broth
According to studies, one-third of cancer deaths are caused by weakness and wasting
of tissues.
This is called cachexia.
Excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, and reduced food intake cause an electrolyte imbalance.
Your body needs proteins, water, and minerals to bounce back to its healthy state.
Bone broth extracts all the nutrients from slow-cooked meat over low heat.
Alternatively, you can also make bone broth in pressure pots.
You can store them in small glass mason jars in your freezer.
You can just reheat and drink them whenever needed.
they’re super hydrating too.
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Apples actually keep the doctor away.
Prolonged chemotherapy can cause fluid retention and make your hands and feet puffy.
Apples are the perfect food to counteract this effect.
Potassium from apples can maintain fluid balance.
You will also get an additional boost of fiber and Vitamin C from these crunchy treats.
A few animal studies found apples to prevent colon cancer.
You can add chopped apples to your salad or make delicious applesauce for snacking.
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Don't underestimate humble bananas.
It's time to go bananas over…well, bananas!
This superfood is inexpensive and available in almost every part of the world.
It is an instant source of energy that can pick you up when you feel tired.
It can be a great fuel to carry you through chemo sessions.
It is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber that replenishes electrolyte loss.
Have a banana shake for a quick and convenient breakfast.
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Sweet potatoes are superb.
Bright and colorful white, orange, and purple sweet potatoes are not just for the holiday
season.
Make them a part of your daily diet as they are jam-packed with anthocyanins.
Studies have shown this compound to reduce colorectal cancer.
The antioxidant also controls cancer cell growth.
Sweet potatoes fight inflammation and help control blood pressure.
This root vegetable adds color to your plate.
Simply bake a few sweet potatoes and toss the rest in an airtight container to enjoy
the next day.
You can add sweet potato puree to soups and stews to make them more vibrant.
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Add a touch of lemons.
This citrus fruit has been a kitchen staple for centuries in many cultures.
The lip-puckering sour taste is due to the high Vitamin C content.
It builds strong bones, gums, and teeth and helps with blood formation.
Limonene, another compound in lemons, helps you sail through stress, anxiety, and depression
during chemo.
A fun way to enjoy lemons during summer is to mix lemon juice, water, and sugar and freeze
it for a few hours.
Your homemade tart lemon sorbet is ready in minutes.
You can also squeeze a dash of lemon over your meal to get maximum benefits.
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Have a bowl of oatmeal.
There are unique ways to spruce up oatmeal.
Go the traditional way of overnight oats or make baked oat bars with frozen berries, oat
cookies or add them to your smoothies.
Just remember if you are having overnight oats, finish it up as soon as possible.
This will help to keep the risk of bacterial growth to a minimum.
Oats contain a powerful soluble fiber called beta-glucan.
It reduces bad cholesterol and helps reduce the spread of cancer cells.
It's a good source of energy and proteins.
The fiber pushes waste ahead and reduces colon irritation in colon cancer patients.
The creamy texture of oatmeal also helps to reduce dry mouth and mouth sores.
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Choose beans and peas for protein.
If you have gone vegan, proteins from plant sources can help you build muscle.
The phytochemicals can protect your body from cell damage.
It can also slow down the growth of tumors.
This will protect the nearby healthy cells.
Kidney, pinto, black beans, yellow split peas, and red lentils have amazing antioxidants.
You can make a huge batch of homemade refried beans, add a handful of leftover vegetables
from your fridge and drizzle a few spices to make a fantastic meal.
Bean soups and burrito bowls can also be a nourishing addition to your diet.
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Never say no to berries.
Blueberries, strawberries, cherries, and other deeply colored berries are one of the best
foods to fight cancer.
They bring a whole catalog of benefits to your body.
They are loaded with dietary fiber, Vitamin C, antioxidants, vitamin K, and polyphenols.
Cherries can reduce pain and headache related to chemo.
They are powerful anti-inflammatories.
Studies suggest that having strawberries can prevent the spread of breast cancer cells.
So keep a pack of frozen berries in your freezer.
Remember to wash the berries if you are consuming them directly.
You can make healthy smoothies by combining them with other foods and drinking up more
nutrients.
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Do you eat broccoli regularly?
You might have avoided this vegetable before but having it during chemo can supplement
your health in a big way.
Cruciferous vegetables like kale, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts are
a powerhouse of nutrients.
They contain dietary fiber and Vitamin C that boost your immune system.
Moreover, a compound called sulforaphane is the key nutrient that reduces inflammation,
especially during chemo.
Cooked broccoli has an edge over raw broccoli.
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Now let's see what to avoid.
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Avoid raw eggs.
Eggs are incredibly nutritious.
Adding raw eggs to your protein shakes, caesar salads, ice creams, and homemade mayonnaise
can be tricky during chemo.
When your immune system is already compromised, eating raw eggs can worsen the situation.
Buy pasteurized eggs and store them in the refrigerator.
Another tip is to eat only cooked eggs.
Cooking them at 160 degrees fahrenheit for more than 6 minutes can kill bacteria like
Salmonella and reduce the risk of getting infections and food poisoning.
Salmonella infection can happen within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated eggs.
It can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting.
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Keep dry snacks to a minimum.
Toast, crackers, and chips can be difficult to swallow.
As chemotherapy reduces the salivary flow in your mouth it gets difficult to swallow
dry foods.
Additionally, sharp foods can amplify conditions like sore mouth and cracked lips.
Pair dry snacks with some juicy sauces or dips that are nutritious as well as moistening.
Make guacamole to go with baked multigrain nachos.
That way you will get a dose of healthy fats from avocados and fiber from all the grains.
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Say no to alcohol
You might feel the urge to grab a glass of wine to unwind during this chaotic situation.
But avoiding alcohol is in your best interest.
Chronic alcohol consumption is responsible for 4% of all cancers worldwide.
It may interfere with the chemo drugs and magnify the side effects.
You could feel more nauseated and dehydrated.
Studies have shown drinking alcohol can make cancer cells duplicate and spread aggressively
throughout the body.
Grab a glass of water or a smoothie whenever you feel parched.
Talk to your loved ones and keep a positive mindset to avoid depression.
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No more Sushi.
Some fish like sushi and sashimi may contain high Mercury levels.
Cooking or having them raw can be dangerous.
Frozen ‘sushi- grade’ or ‘sashimi-grade’ fish must also be avoided.
Fish like lox also may become contaminated with bacteria.
Oysters and shellfish also must not be eaten raw.
It's best to stick to fatty fish like salmon, herring, mackerel, and tuna to get a blast
of Omega 3 fatty acids.
The healthy fats from oily fish can provide extra energy.
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Processed meats are also a big no.
Your favorite turkey sandwiches, bacon, and hot dogs can be dangerous.
Highly processed red meat is adulterated with cancer-causing substances for increasing its
shelf life.
Research says consuming too much red meat can cause stomach and colorectal cancers to
spread.
It's best to keep the carcinogens out of your diet to continue chemo smoothly.
Ham, sausages, pepperoni beef jerky, and deli meats including roast beef must be avoided.
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Green tea can be a threat.
Are you shocked to find this healthy drink on the dark side?
This drink has mixed effects on different people.
The polyphenols from green tea can have a therapeutic effect and reduce chemotherapy-associated
side effects.
On the other hand we have the exact opposite findings.
Researchers found green tea and black tea to increase the risk of lung cancer.
This generally was associated with patients taking bortezomib or more commonly - Velcade
therapy.
If you have been enjoying a cup of green tea before cancer detection and want to continue
the same routine it's best to talk to your doctor first.
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Raw honey can be dangerous.
Since sugary beverages and foods are off-limits you might be tempted to add a drizzle of honey
to your salad dressings or oatmeal bowls.
Double-check the honey that you buy.
Raw honey could be the culprit causing infections.
It can contain bacterial spores that can cause food poisoning and be life-threatening.
It can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and a drop in blood pressure.
Surprisingly, regular honey can mitigate the effects of cancer.
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Chuck that grapefruit.
Grapefruit juice and grapefruit can be a breakfast staple for many.
It's rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C. Did you know it could make the breakdown of a
few cancer drugs extremely sluggish.
This could cause a toxin build-up and cause fluctuations in your metabolism.
You really would not want to offset any rhythm during chemo.
So it's best to stay away from this fruit.
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Steer clear of unpasteurized cheeses.
Make sure you are eating only pasteurized milk and milk products like yogurt, cheese,
and butter.
Soft cheeses with blue veins or Mexican-style cheeses must be avoided.
Studies have shown consuming unpasteurized cheese elevates the risk of cancer spread.
Bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and staphylococcus aureus can all cause heavy infections.
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Lastly, cut back on spicy food.
Hot wings, flaming Cheetos, or spicy barbeque sauces can cause burning mouths.
Highly acidic and spicy foods can irritate the soft tissues of your oral cavity.
Ulcers in the oral cavity can prevent you from eating other less spicy foods too.
A meta analysis found that eating high spicy food can cause cancer to spread.
That's why it is best to stick to bland foods that do not irritate your digestive tract.
Make food your medicine on your path to healing.
You might not know what could have caused the disease but food can definitely help you
to fight it effectively.
Want to know more?
Let's keep the conversation going with a couple of more anti-cancer food-related videos, shall
we?
Watch 12 cancer-causing foods that you should never eat or top 5 cancer-causing foods to
avoid.
Go ahead.
Click one or better yet watch both and learn how to make fighting cancer easy.
Are you eating the right foods during chemo?
Let us know in the comments below.