Nutrition Support During Cancer Treatment

Nutrition and cancer

The global prevalence of cancer continues to increase, with an estimated 18.1 million new cases of cancer in 2018 according to IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer).

Research has shown that healthy diet and lifestyle habits may help prevent 30-50% of cancers. In comparison, the research on nutrition optimization post-diagnosis is extremely limited. So, what should you focus on in your diet after a cancer diagnosis has been made?^1,3

Your immune system works best when it’s fuelled with optimal nutrients.⁴ Therefore, it’s a good idea to prioritize your diet and understand what can affect your nutrition status.

For nutrition support during cancer treatment, patients should focus on a general healthy diet, providing fruits, vegetables and wholegrain, while additionally considering:¹

• Getting enough overall calories to prevent weight loss, and
• Increased protein intake to promote muscle maintenance.

What should I eat if I have cancer? What is cancer nutrition?

There is a strong link between nutritional status and your body’s ability to deal with disease. High nutrient availability of vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins and antioxidants, can help support your body’s immune function.⁴

A diet that emphasizes nutrient-dense whole plant foods, such as grains, legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, is recommended for cancer prevention.^8-10

That being said, the quality of dairy proteins exceeds that of plant, and particularly with cancer of the head and neck, or gastrointestinal tract, meeting protein requirements can be difficult without nutritional supplement drinks for cancer patients.

In general, rather than aiming for perfection, having grace with yourself and making healthy choices as much as is tolerable is a better goal.

How chemotherapy can affect nutrition for cancer patients

Chemotherapy is a common treatment method for cancer, which works by killing the rapidly dividing cancer cells. As this targets the cell division system the impact on the healthy cells in your body is limited. Unfortunately, it’s known to come with numerous side effects that make it difficult to eat as well as you may normally.

Many people undergoing chemotherapy experience severe nausea, vomiting, mucositis, dry mouth and taste alterations resulting in loss of appetite. Not eating as much as normal can lead to unintended weight loss. Paired with a lack of weight-bearing activity, prolonged poor food intake can ultimately lead to muscle wasting. 

How to increase calories for cancer treatment

With the potential side effects of chemotherapy, as well as reduced energy levels, it can be hard to get enough nutrition during cancer treatment. 

Some people may feel best eating smaller, more frequent meals. Others may find it more tolerable to increase calories per volume but reduce overall food intake and the effort required to prepare meals. 

One option is commercial liquid supplements, many of which have been formulated with medically-induced poor appetite in mind and are frequently utilized in the hospital setting. These products are designed to maximize calories and protein in just one small serving, to support weight maintenance.

Another option, especially when you’re in the setting of your own home, is to make high-calorie shakes and smoothies using whole foods. These can help you get an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals, in addition to calories and protein. 

High-calorie shakes for cancer 

Using a high-speed blender, you can combine healthy, energy dense ingredients to make a recipe that supports weight maintenance and nutrition status. This is also a good way to accept support from others looking for ways to be helpful in your recovery.  

Tips for making high-calorie, nutrient-dense shakes at home include:

Keeping the tips above in mind, here are a few basic ideas for making energy-dense, nutrient-packed smoothies at home. Experiment with the flavours you like and find what’s most tolerable. 

Herbal supplements and cancer treatment

Complementary and alternative medicine for cancer, like herbal supplements, are often marketed to be attractive. It’s important to discuss these with your treatment provider before adding them to your routine.

Not only may these be poorly researched in the setting of cancer some may actually interfere with medications and be potentially dangerous for some people. This isn’t to say they can’t be helpful, but more data is needed.¹¹

If an herbal supplement is deemed appropriate for your treatment plan, it’s recommended to find one that has been independently tested by a third party. This verifies that the product contains what’s listed on its bottle, in the amounts claimed, and doesn’t contain unsafe amounts of potential contaminants. 

This extra level of caution is especially important for people who are immune-compromised, as in the setting of cancer treatment.