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Jun 4, 2024 · What you eat may have an impact on how well your cancer treatment works. If you have cancer in the abdominal or pelvic regions, for example, and are about to undergo a radiation therapy treatment, eating a meal with raw vegetables may cause gas and bloating, leading the radiation to be less targeted and affect more healthy tissue than it should.
Nov 2, 2024 · The following foods are good sources of compounds that have been shown to increase the anti-cancer effects of radiation treatment and/or protect normal tissues (but not tumors) from radiation: Apples. Apricots. Arctic char. Arugula. Beans, dry. Bell peppers. Blackberries. Black cumin.
- Overview
- What should you not eat during chemotherapy?
- Foods to boost your immune system during chemotherapy
- Why is diet important in chemotherapy?
- Takeaway
Few diets warn against the inclusion of raw vegetables, but if you’re wondering what foods to avoid while on chemotherapy, unwashed raw veggies, some egg products, and select cheeses make the list.
Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses potent chemicals to disrupt the life cycle of fast-growing cancer cells. As a systemic, or whole-body therapy, it can also affect your overall health in ways beyond cancer treatment.
Immune suppression is a common concern when it comes to chemotherapy side effects. Chemotherapy can change how well your bone marrow produces white blood cells — the cells that help you ward off infections.
If you’re in an immune-compromised phase of treatment, monitoring what you eat can help reduce your risk of dangerous foodborne infections.
Foods to avoid while on chemotherapy are those that may increase your risk of foodborne illnesses.
Catalina Ruz Gatica, a registered dietitian who specializes in chronic illness at Top Nutrition Coaching in Chicago, explained, “For those undergoing chemotherapy, it’s particularly important to avoid foods such as undercooked or raw meats, raw fish, food past its expiration date, or unwashed produce.”
With the rules of washing, cooking, and sourcing in mind, there are plenty of helpful foods to eat during chemotherapy.
According to Ruz Gatica, some foods may even boost your immunity.
“There are certain foods that can support the body’s immune function during chemotherapy. Foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, and zinc are particularly beneficial for the immune system,” she said.
Vitamin-rich sources can be found in foods such as:
•sweet potatoes
•broccoli
Diet management during chemotherapy is important as a means of warding off infection, but it’s also how you can keep your body as healthy as possible to aid in cancer treatment and minimize the side effects of chemotherapy.
“When it comes to going through chemotherapy, what’s on your plate really matters,” indicated Ruz Gatica. “Eating the right foods helps keep your body’s engine running smoothly, supporting metabolic and functional health while warding off any chance of malnutrition.”
Foods to avoid while on chemotherapy are those that may increase your chances of food-related illness.
While anyone can become sick from eating a contaminated product, chemotherapy knocks your immune system down and can make you more vulnerable to infections.
Some of the best foods to eat during chemotherapy or other cancer treatments are plant-based proteins. They offer the highest levels of vitamins and minerals, Rajagopal says. This means eating lots of vegetables as well as beans, legumes, nuts and seeds. If you do eat animal proteins, choose lean options like chicken or fish.
- Listen To What Your Body Is Telling You. Most patients experience little or no side effects during cancer treatment, while some experience any of a number of side effects.
- Be Prepared – Stock Up On Healthy Foods. Another ingredient to a healthy diet during radiation therapy is to plan ahead. Stock up your pantry with diverse and healthy foods.
- Eat Nutrient-Dense Meals. Eating nutrient-dense meals is a factor in recovery from radiation therapy. Eating high-calorie, low-nutrient meals will not give the body what it needs to heal and as a result, will slow-down recovery time.
- Break The Rules. Keeping a good diet during your radiation therapy may mean throwing your regular meal rules out and making up your own, new meal rules.
Nov 8, 2021 · Here are some common radiation therapy side effects that can be managed by making changes to your diet: Nausea and vomiting. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Drinking clear liquids or eating bland foods such as dry toast or crackers may also help. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy or very sweet foods.
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Saturated and trans fats should be largely avoided. “Fats should be minimized and come from omega 3-rich foods, such as ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, nuts, avocados, and fatty fish,” says Dr. Lara. “Fatty fish can be consumed up to twice per week.”. Fatty foods to avoid or eat in moderation during radiation include:
