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What is The Best Healthy Diet to Go on After Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy occurs when an individual takes medication to treat her cancer. Chemotherapy may be used during, before or after cancer surgeries, and some physicians recommend patients undergo chemotherapy in conjunction with radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is aggressive on the body, since it must destroy cancerous cells; however, healthy cells are also destroyed in the process, according to the American Cancer Society.
  1. Diet Before Chemotherapy

    • According to the American Cancer Society, getting enough nutrition when you are undergoing cancer treatment is important to fight the attack on the body and withstand treatment. Many side effects cause patients to not get enough nutrients, especially when they are undergoing treatment like chemotherapy. Side effects include loss of appetite, vomiting, change of smell or taste, nausea, and diarrhea.

      Before and during chemotherapy treatment, it is important to work with a nutritionist to get as many nutrients as possible. Eating healthy may prevent malnutrition, decrease the amount of side effects a patient suffers undergoing chemotherapy and improve energy levels, according to the American Cancer Society. Nutrients in food supply the patient with natural sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which all work toward improving the health of the immune system in an individual during chemotherapy. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, nutrients must be consumed from protein, fat and carbohydrates. Vitamins and minerals that are important to a chemotherapy patient include vitamin E, beta carotene, vitamin C and selenium. These may be found in foods such as poultry, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and fish.

      High-protein, high-calorie foods may also be recommended to chemotherapy patients to get enough nutrients. If a patient is unable to physically eat, a feeding tube may be recommended by a physician to provide proper nutrition. Total parenteral nutrition may be provided to a patient, which occurs when nutrients are provided directly into a patient's veins. Good high-protein, high-calorie food sources include chicken, beef, pork, duck, fish, cheese, milk, cottage cheese, beans, lentils and dairy products like yogurt.

    Diet After Chemotherapy

    • Once chemotherapy is over, side effects that prevented a patient from getting enough nutrients naturally will begin to subside. In some individuals, the lack of appetite may linger after the final chemotherapy treatment; however, it is important to keep up with nutrition.

      Work with a nutritionist to create a balanced diet. The American Cancer Society recommends chemotherapy patients get at least five to seven servings each day of fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, and vegetables that are dark green or yellow. Whole grains are recommended, as well as high-fiber selections such as cereal and bread. Finally, choose low-fat diary options, and reduce fat in proteins by baking or broiling them instead of frying.

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