Eating Tips for Patients Going Through Cancer Treatments

When I was going through treatments for cancer many years ago, eating became almost a chore. I didn't have a great appetite and when I did feel like eating, food just didn't taste the same. Often the medications we take to fight the disease change our sense of taste, causing food to seem sweeter, saltier, metallic-like or even completely tasteless.

In my case, nausea repelled any desire to eat most days but when I did feel like eating I needed to select and prepare my foods differently so I'd have the incentive to eat.

MayoClinic.com put out a fantastic list of suggestions for cancer patients who need suggestions with making food and eating better during treatments. Here are a few of those tips, including how I dealt with certain eating issues (Note: As with any diet changes be sure to consult your physician and treating doctor first.)

Too Sweet: I am not someone who enjoys sweeter foods at the best of times but during cancer treatments, I found certain foods were unbearable. To counteract the sweetness, try adding saltiness or sour flavors (eg: citrus juices such as lemon, lime, pineapple). MayoClinic.com suggests adding plain yogurt, buttermilk, instant coffee grounds or extra milk to milkshakes or energy drinks.

Too Salty: I lean towards the saltier foods but, again, salty foods can seem moreso during treatments. Adding sugar can help with some foods. Also, don't add salt or salty additives when cooking and choose products labeled "Low Sodium".

Too Bland: This is the more common complaint and, aside from nausea and vomiting, the main reason many patients avoid food. When it can be tolerated try using different sauces, seasonings, vinagrettes or marinades. It's best to make your own so you know what's going into the sauces, etc. then you can have a better idea what needs altering. Some suggestions include cooking and/or eating with barbecue sauce, soy sauce, various vinegars, herbs, various wines, vinegrettes, marinades, syrup, honey, different kinds of mustard, hot sauce or homemade dips. You could also try adding nuts and seeds, bacon bits, cheese, homemade croutons, or salt-free flavor shakers.

Alternatives to/Suggestions for meat: Protein is essential for energy, muscle and bone regeneration and overall strength. Oftentimes, though, meat eaters can lose the desire to eat meat either because it no longer tastes right or the texture turns them off. Some other excellent sources of protein include beans (on their own or in salads, soups or dips), cheese, cottage cheese, custard, egg dishes, fish, nuts, or tofu.

A few other suggestions for helping to make meat more appealing:

• Mix it in other foods rather than eating it on its own. Mix it into casseroles, stews, pastas or soups.
• Improve the flavor with spices, herbs or condiments.
• Marinate it.
• Try deli or smoked meats like cold cuts or spicy sausages.

It's essential for cancer patients to eat what they can during treatment. Food gives you energy, helps the body heal, strengthens the immune system and, most importantly, keeps the patient strong enough to keep fighting! Experiment with different things until something works. And never give up.

(Note: Be sure to seek medical advice if none of these suggestions work, you aren't able to keep food down or you are losing weight.)

SIDEBAR:

MayoClinic.com offers a few additional general suggestions to help your loved one eat during cancer treatments:

• Make food as visually appealing as possible as food that looks good will be more desirable to try.
• Experiment with the color, temperature and textures of food as these senses all work together in eating and cooking.
• Gum, mints and/or hard candies help get rid of bad tastes in the mouth.
• Stay hydrated.
• Using plastic utensils help keep the metallic flavor away during eating.
• Talk to a doctor about special mouth rinses or the possibility that medications may be causing changes in taste.

SOURCES: Eating During Cancer Treatment: Tips To Make Food Tastier, MayoClinic.com, May 27, 2010