Edith: When you have cancer one of the questions you may have is how to eat well to help you
through treatment.
This video will help you understand why it is important to eat well, and give you some
useful tips about how to make sure you get the right nutrition before, during, and after
cancer treatment.
Tracey: Eating a healthy diet when you have cancer can help you feel your best and stay
strong, maintain your weight, and lower your risk of infection.
Cancer treatments may work better when you are well-nourished.
Good nutrition can help your body heal and recover from cancer treatments.
Cancer or its treatment may cause your body weight to change.
No matter what your goal is, start with eating a balanced diet.
You may want to talk about your weight concerns with your healthcare team.
By eating a variety of foods, you can give your body the nutrients it needs to help fight
cancer.
These nutrients include protein, fluids, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
A Registered Dietitian can help you understand how to eat a balanced diet and to keep yourself
well-nourished during cancer treatment.
Franklyn: Edith, I have a lot of questions and the first one is about calories and proteins.
Why are they important?
Edith: They are important because your body requires them to help to keep you strong and
healthy during the course of treatment.
It can be difficult during cancer treatment to eat enough calories and protein, but trying
to do so will help to keep you strong and help you heal quickly after the treatment
is finished.
Franklyn: And what are some good sources?
Edith: Good sources are any animal foods, such as meat, fish and poultry, as well as
dried beans and peas (like kidney beans, chick peas, lentils), things made from those foods,
like soy products, tofu, and soy milk, and dairy products (milk and anything made from
milk, like cheese and yogurt).
Franklyn: Edith, how can I get more proteins and calories in my diet?
Edith: There are many ways to add protein and calories to the foods you’re already
eating.
For example, you can add Greek yogurt to berries and other fruits.
Franklyn: I never thought of that!
Edith: Do you like cheese?
Franklyn: Of course.
Edith: You can add cheese to mashed potatoes and to soups.
Additionally, a good way to add more protein is by using skim milk powder or a protein
powder to milk, and you can add it to hot chocolate and smoothies as well.
Franklyn: Wow!
Edith: Peanut butter is a good way to add some extra protein.
Franklyn: What about salads?
Edith: Salads are a wonderful place to put extra protein to add more calories and to
add protein.
So trying lentils or other dried beans and peas added to salads, as well adding cheese.
Nuts are a wonderful way to add extra protein, and putting on some meat, fish or poultry
to your salad.
Franklyn: Edith, I’ve been drinking more water because I’ve heard that that’s important.
Edith: Good for you for drinking more fluids.
Water is a great choice if you’re eating well and maintaining your weight.
If you’re not eating as well or if you’re worrying about being able to maintain a good
weight, these other fluids may be worth considering.
Things like juices will give you some calories and, as well, they will give you some other
nutrients.
These fluids here will give you calories and protein, so things like milk and things made
with milk, like hot chocolate or milkshakes.
Smoothies to which you’ve added some protein (greek yogurt or protein powder) or commercial
nutritional supplements will all give you protein and calories, and they’re worth
considering because they’ll give you fluid too.
Franklyn: I also read that fruits and vegetables are very important, but I’m having trouble
getting enough.
Edith: A lot of people have trouble eating enough fruits and vegetables and the trick
is to keep them handy.
So if you have some sliced vegetables in the fridge ready for snacks.
Use dried fruit or other chopped up fruits at your desk or carry them with you during
the day.
As well, using fruits at breakfast time is a way to increase your intake of fruits.
Add some Greek yogurt to add more nutrition and, as well, try adding fruits, such as berries,
to your hot cereal in the morning.
Franklyn: So while we’re on the topic of cereals, what about whole grains and legumes?
Edith: They’re wonderful to add extra fiber and extra energy to your diet.
But again, maybe some experimentation with different grains, such as black rice, brown
rice, and other whole grains, like quinoa and barley.
And using either canned or dried beans and peas added to soups and stews and thrown on
salads is a great way to add more of them to your diet.
Franklyn: I’ll have to try that.
Tracey: Fats help your body to use vitamins and minerals, and are a good source of energy.
As a part of a balanced diet, make sure you eat healthy fats like olive oil or canola
oil, nuts and seeds more often.
If you are having a hard time maintaining your weight, eating more fats can help because
they can add extra calories.
Many people wonder if they should take vitamin and mineral supplements and other nutrients
to help their body fight cancer.
Your body needs vitamins and minerals to work properly and eating healthy food is the best
way to get these nutrients.
If you are taking or thinking about taking a supplement or a natural health product,
talk to your doctor or healthcare team.
Some supplements may interfere with treatment and are not recommended.
Cancer treatments may cause side effects that can change the way you eat and affect the
way your body digests food and uses nutrients.
Each person may experience side effects differently.
During treatment, there are many helpful ways to manage eating problems if they happen.
Your dietician can help you to find ways to continue to eat your best.
Once treatment ends, many problems with eating go away.
Edith: Good nutrition is very important to staying healthy during treatment.
Following the tips in this video will help you maintain your weight, reduce risk of infections,
recover faster, and stay strong.
For patients at the Odette Cancer Centre, we have a Nutrition Resource Centre where
you can drop-in to get more nutrition information, or book an appointment with a dietician.
You can also visit our Patient Education and Research Learning Centre, the PEARL.