Chemotherapy diet

Chemotherapy is used to suppress the growth of malignant cells in the body. This is a fairly aggressive type of therapy that can cause many side effects: nausea, diarrhea, osteoporosis, anemia, deterioration of hair and nails, alopecia, etc. Taking into account the above, a diet during chemotherapy should aim to reduce the adverse effects of treatment on the body, as well as restore and maintain defenses.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ]

Diet during chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a huge burden on the body, as it is based on the use of drugs that have a detrimental effect not only on malignant structures, but sometimes on completely healthy cells. The damaging effect affects the condition of mucous tissues, hair, bones, and the hematopoietic system.

A properly selected diet during treatment can help support the body's defenses and supply healthy tissues with essential nutrients. As a result of proper nutrition, side effects are significantly alleviated, new energy appears to overcome the disease - a strong body can cope with the disease much easier.

Dietary nutrition during chemotherapy can be divided into 2 options: diet during chemotherapy and diet between courses.

During therapy, a diet is prescribed to relieve and alleviate side effects: dyspeptic disorders, loss of appetite, nausea, etc.

The diet between courses of treatment is aimed at increasing the body's resilience and accumulating strength for further therapy.

Diet for chemotherapy of malignant tumors

During chemotherapy, it is advisable to follow these nutritional principles:

• Count calories and determine the patient's daily caloric intake, depending on his energy expenditure. To put it simply, you cannot follow a weight loss diet while undergoing treatment. Food must be high in calories to cover all the energy expended by the body.
• In order to prevent loss of appetite, it is necessary to immediately tune in to a certain diet that is convenient for the patient. That is, food should be taken at the same time, at equal intervals and only in a certain amount, without overeating or feeling hungry. Meals, if possible, should be complete, without "dry sandwiches" and unhealthy snacks "on the run".
• Food should be varied, fresh, and preferably freshly prepared.
• In order for the body to digest food more easily, you should avoid fried, fatty foods, as well as salt and pepper, processed foods, preservatives, and smoked foods.
• Sugar should be replaced with honey, or its quantity should be greatly limited. It has long been proven that malignant tumors feed on sugars. However, carbohydrates cannot be completely excluded from the menu, because otherwise malignant structures will "extract" the missing energy from muscle and other tissues of the body.
• You should eat wholesomely and rationally. We will talk about rationality of nutrition separately a little later.
• In order to reduce the toxic load on the urinary system, it is necessary to drink enough liquid - at least 2 liters per day. It is better if it is regular still water, but compotes, weak tea with milk, and broth are allowed. Drinking green tea, contrary to popular belief, is not welcomed - it can neutralize the properties of the chemical drugs used.
• It is better to forget about alcoholic drinks altogether – why add toxic substances to an already suffering organism? The ideal option, according to doctors, is 50 ml of natural dry red wine between courses of treatment. Vodka, beer and fortified wines are completely excluded.
• If the diet is chosen correctly, there is no need for additional use of vitamin complex supplements.

Diet for Lymphoma Chemotherapy

A lack of immune protection is one of the consequences of lymphoma, a malignant lesion of the lymphatic system. The condition is somewhat aggravated by chemotherapy itself, which also suppresses the immune system. As a result, lymphoma patients are more susceptible to infectious diseases than others. For example, some microorganisms that pose no danger to other healthy people can provoke the development of a serious infection in a patient with lymphoma.

What should be considered when planning a diet for lymphoma chemotherapy?

• Drinking regime. If you use water from wells or springs, it must be boiled. It is not recommended to use tap water. The ideal option is bottled water, as well as freshly brewed tea, compote or decoction. If you drink juices, they should be freshly squeezed juices, prepared immediately before use.
• Dairy products. Do not consume unboiled or unpasteurized milk, or unheat-treated cottage cheese. Do not eat moldy cheese. Allowed: pasteurized milk, heat-treated cottage cheese products (casseroles, vareniki, mousses, etc.).
• Meat and fish products. You cannot eat fast food: shawarma, hot dogs, chebureki, etc. It is not advisable to eat in public canteens. All food should be perfectly fresh, with sufficient heat treatment. It is also necessary to refuse salted and dried products, as well as undercooked meat.
• Plant food. All plant products must be fresh, without signs of mold or rot. You cannot eat unwashed vegetables and fruits (including dried fruits), store-bought salads. Heat-treated products are preferable.
• Flour and products made from it. Store-bought products with cream, glaze, fillings that have a limited shelf life are prohibited. Bakery products must be fresh.
• Always check the expiration date of products, no matter what you buy. Do not buy products you are not familiar with or whose quality you doubt.

[ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Diet for Lung Cancer Chemotherapy

All patients undergoing chemical treatment need to eat a balanced diet. This means eating foods rich in protein, vitamins, and calories.

You need to eat about five to six times in small portions. The dishes should be rich in calories and proteins - these are meat and fish dishes, offal, beans, nuts.

It is necessary to think over the optimal diet and follow it. Eat food at a strictly designated time, without waiting for the feeling of hunger. Such a regime has a positive effect on various appetite disorders.

Sometimes it is difficult for a patient to take solid food: in such cases, all kinds of cocktails, broths, smoothies and cream soups are recommended. In any case, the patient should receive all the vital amounts of nutrients and calories.

Many advise to temporarily give up metal cutlery and switch to plastic. This is due to the fact that some patients experience an unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth during treatment. Because of this, they find it unpleasant to eat food and lose their appetite. If you switch to plastic, these symptoms go away.

Dishes should be prepared as appetizingly and variedly as possible, and new and unknown recipes should be mastered.

A good diet for lung cancer chemotherapy should help the patient cope with the disease and restore tissue damaged by the tumor. Insufficient and monotonous nutrition can provoke a deterioration in the patient's well-being and the appearance of unwanted side effects from treatment.

[ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Diet after chemotherapy

The diet after chemotherapy, as well as during it, should be as rational as possible. What is rationality and what does it consist of?

Rational nutrition implies a reasonable approach to choosing products: our daily menu should not be one-sided. Food should contain all the substances necessary for the body: proteins, fats, carbohydrates. A person, and especially a sick person, definitely needs meat, milk, vegetables, greens and fruits, bread and cereals.

The diet after chemotherapy should include several basic food sets:

• protein products - legumes, soy and nuts, as well as eggs, fish and meat products, offal. Protein foods contain proteins, vitamin B, iron. It is necessary to eat at least 2 servings of such products daily. However, switching completely to protein foods is also unacceptable, as this will put an excessive load on the urinary system and liver.
• Dairy products – contain a large amount of proteins and calcium. Cottage cheese, kefir, milk, hard cheese, feta cheese, etc. Such products should also be consumed at least 2 servings per day.
• plant food – any kind of greens, vegetables and fruits, both in the form of salads and stews, casseroles, pies and side dishes. Plant food contains the well-known fiber – an activator of the digestive organs, as well as many vitamins and antioxidants. Bright representatives of the plant world – vegetables and fruits of yellow or red color – contain bioflavonoids, which ensure regeneration processes in damaged cell membranes. Plant food should be present in at least 4 meals daily.
• bread and cereals – bakery products, cereals supply our body with complex carbohydrates and B vitamins. Of cereals, it is advisable to prefer buckwheat and oatmeal: they should be eaten more often than other cereals. Cereals can be prepared as a side dish, and also added to porridges, soups, casseroles, cutlets, etc. It is recommended to eat bread and cereals at least 4 times a day.

For maximum rationality of nutrition, it is necessary to add vegetable oils (if possible, unrefined), fish oil, dried fruits, honey, seaweed to dishes; the use of freshly squeezed juices is encouraged.

Diet after breast chemotherapy

It is necessary to follow a diet both during and after breast chemotherapy. It has been proven that a properly selected diet eliminates the risk of recurrence of cancer, and also serves as a preventative measure against excess weight, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

By the way, the absence of extra pounds is a great chance to avoid recurrence of cancer in the future. Given this fact, the diet after breast chemotherapy in some patients may be aimed at getting rid of excess weight.

Some of the generally accepted dietary advice after breast chemotherapy includes the following:

• The daily amount of calories is calculated depending on body weight: if there are extra pounds, the calorie content of the diet is reduced;
• the bulk of the main diet should consist of plant foods and cereals;
• It is useful to add bran and fiber to food;
• preference should be given to vegetable oils;
• eat foods rich in calcium;
• forget about alcohol and smoking;
• limit the consumption of sugar, salt, red meat and canned foods, as well as products with preservatives, colorings, flavorings and stabilizers.

Pay attention to products containing omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin E, selenium.

[ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ]

Diet after chemotherapy and radiation

Chemotherapy, as we have already said, is considered a heavy burden on the body. This burden increases several times if chemotherapy is carried out along with radiation therapy.

What can be done to reduce the stress on the body?

• Eat little and often, using only fresh and healthy foods.
• Do not reduce the caloric content of your diet, do not allow your body to switch to economy mode: eat nuts, sour cream, chocolate, honey.
• It is recommended to take a walk in the fresh air before eating.
• Before eating, eat a slice of lemon (if you don’t have high stomach acidity).
• Avoid overeating and feeling hungry.
• Remove unhealthy sweets from your diet: cakes, pastries, candies.
• The food you eat should not be hot.
• Water and other liquids should be drunk 1 hour before meals or 1 hour after meals.
• When eating, do not rush, chew your food well.

If diarrhea occurs during treatment, the diet should be aimed at stabilizing electrolyte and protein metabolism in the body. Food is cooked in a steamer, and when served, it is chopped and mashed as much as possible to reduce the impact on the walls of the digestive system. Rough food, raw vegetables and fruits are limited. The most acceptable dishes in such a situation are cereal porridges (especially rice), mashed soups, and eggs.

It is recommended to drink weak tea or still mineral water.

[ 13 ]

Recovery Diet After Chemotherapy

Patients who had to undergo a course of chemotherapy should not forget about proper nutrition under any circumstances. A recovery diet after chemotherapy will help strengthen a weakened body. In addition, there are some products that prevent the recurrence of tumors. Such products should be known "by sight" and be sure to include them in the diet.

What should be included in the daily menu and what should be avoided?

• Bread and flour products. Allowed: muffins, biscuits, crackers, shortbread cookies. Exclude: baked goods, products with fillings and creams, pancakes, dark bread.
• Meat products. It is advisable to eat: lean boiled or steamed meat, meatballs, cutlets. Exclude: lard, fatty parts of meat, fried meat dishes, canned meat, pelmeni and manti.
• Fish. It is advisable to eat: low-fat steamed or boiled fish. Exclude: fatty fish, smoked, fried, salted, dried fish.
• Eggs – chicken and quail. It is advisable to cook a steam omelet. It is not advisable to fry or eat raw.
• Dairy products. Welcome: non-acidic cottage cheese, yogurt, milk porridge. Not recommended: spicy cheese, too sour cottage cheese and kefir.
• Fats. It is advisable to use: vegetable oils, a small amount of butter. It is not recommended: spread, margarine, cooking fat, rendered lard.
• Vegetables. It is advisable to eat: any raw and fresh vegetables, as well as boiled, baked and stewed. It is not advisable to eat: pickles, marinated and canned vegetables.
• Fruits. Welcome: any ripe fruit, both fresh and baked, boiled, as puree and mousse, jelly and jam. Not recommended: unripe fruit, as well as rotten and unwashed.
• Sauces. Recommended: mild, milk-based, with herbs. Excluded: chili pepper or vinegar-based sauces, ready-made store-bought sauces (ketchup, mayonnaise).
• Drinks. Welcome: weak tea, possibly with milk, cocoa, fresh juices, compotes, kissels. Not recommended: soda, cola, kvass, strong coffee, alcohol, beer.

During chemotherapy treatment, do not forget to follow the drinking regime. You need to drink a lot, about 2 liters of water per day (if there are no contraindications).

Diet menu for chemotherapy

An approximate weekly menu for a chemotherapy diet - the products are selected optimally and are aimed at eliminating the negative impact of chemotherapy drugs on the body:

Day one.

• Breakfast. Orange juice with cookies.
• Second breakfast. A portion of millet porridge with raisins, weak tea with oatmeal cookies.
• Lunch. Lentil soup, steamed fish with vegetables, compote.
• Afternoon snack. A jar of yogurt, an apple.
• Dinner. Bean garnish with a cutlet, a cup of rosehip broth.

Day two.

• Breakfast. Pear juice, gingerbread.
• Second breakfast. Porridge with milk, oatmeal jelly.
• Lunch. A portion of pea soup, rice with shrimp, tea.
• Afternoon snack. 50 g nuts.
• Dinner. Ratatouille with grated cheese, tea, cheese sandwich.

Day three.

• Breakfast. Banana, tea with lemon.
• Second breakfast. A portion of rice porridge with dried apricots, tea.
• Lunch. Beetroot soup with sour cream, potatoes with boiled fish fillet, tomato salad, tea.
• Afternoon snack. Fruit.
• Dinner. Cabbage rolls, weak tea.

Day four.

• Breakfast. Cocoa with milk and unsalted crackers.
• Second breakfast. Muesli with yogurt, cookies, weak tea.
• Lunch. Celery soup, meatballs, seaweed salad, a glass of dried fruit compote.
• Afternoon snack. Cranberries with honey.
• Dinner. Mashed potatoes, fish, greens, tea.

Day five.

• Breakfast. Chamomile tea, biscuit.
• Second breakfast. Omelette with cheese, carrot juice.
• Lunch. Rassolnik with sour cream, pasta with chicken fillet, tea.
• Afternoon snack. Berry soufflé.
• Dinner. A portion of stewed cabbage with mushrooms, tea.

Day six.

• Breakfast. Raisin cake, compote.
• Second breakfast. Cottage cheese pancakes with honey, tea.
• Lunch. Chicken broth with noodles, stuffed peppers, tea with a slice of lemon.
• Afternoon snack. Some prunes.
• Dinner. Cutlet, feta cheese salad with tomatoes, tea.

Day seven.

• Breakfast. Grapefruit juice, cookies.
• Second breakfast. Fruit salad, yogurt.
• Lunch. Pumpkin cream soup, chicken with buckwheat garnish, tea with milk.
• Afternoon snack. Cottage cheese with sour cream.
• Dinner. Baked fish with vegetables, tea.

It is recommended to drink a glass of fresh kefir, milk or other dairy product every day before going to bed.

Chemotherapy Diet Recipes

Cutlets with chicken and vegetables

We will need: 350 g chicken breast, 1 carrot, 100 g broccoli (fresh or frozen), 3 tbsp tomato sauce, one medium onion, one egg, salt.

Mince the chicken and onion, add the egg, salt, and mix. Divide into 3 equal parts.

Grind carrots and broccoli separately. Add carrots to the first part of the mince, broccoli to the second. Add tomato sauce to the third part.

Place the minced meat layer by layer in silicone or other muffin molds. Put in the oven and bake until done. Can be served with a side dish or just with greens.

Pumpkin puree soup

We will need: ½ kg pumpkin, 300 g potatoes, 1 large onion, 50 g celery (optional), 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 300 ml milk, ginger, salt, croutons.

Finely chop the vegetables. First fry the onion, then the rest of the vegetables. Pour in boiling water, add salt and cook over low heat until the vegetables soften (about 20 minutes). Then drain the broth and puree the vegetables in a blender until creamy. Dilute with hot milk to the optimum consistency and heat on the stove for 6-8 minutes. Add spices and mix.

When serving, sprinkle the cream soup with croutons and herbs.

Ratatouille

We will need: a couple of medium zucchini, 4 small eggplants, 6 tomatoes, tomato paste, ½ onion, 3 cloves of garlic, salt, spices.

Cut the eggplants into circles and add salt to remove the bitterness. Cut the zucchini and tomatoes in the same way and add salt too. Add garlic, spices and chopped onion to the tomato paste. Grease the oven dish with vegetable oil, then with the prepared sauce, and lay the vegetables on top of it one by one, vertically if desired. After filling the dish, sprinkle with spices and cover with baking foil. Place in the oven and cook at 150 °C. Sprinkle with herbs or grated cheese when serving.

Buckwheat in the oven

We will need: 1 cup of raw buckwheat, 1 cup of green peas, medium carrot, medium sweet pepper, 8-10 champignons, 4 cloves of garlic, herbs, vegetable oil, spices.

Cut the vegetables into squares, the mushrooms into 4 pieces. Chop the garlic and herbs. Rinse the buckwheat.

Place everything in a bowl, add spices and mix. Next, distribute the mixture into baking pots, pour in clean cool water to the level of the vegetables, and add a couple of drops of vegetable oil on top. Cover with lids and place in the oven for 40-50 minutes at 200 °C.

Bon appetit!

[ 14 ]