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Importance of Eating While on Chemo

Chemotherapy is very hard on the body. It is important to continue eating while on chemo, because you need all the strength and energy you can get.

  1. Chemotherapy and Eating

    • Chemotherapy can greatly impact your eating habits. The procedure kills cancer cells, but it also destroys the cells that line your gastrointestinal tract. This causes symptoms such as mouth tenderness, mouth sores, changes in taste and smell, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea or constipation.

    How Eating Helps You During Chemotherapy

    • According to the Doctors of USC, malnutrition is listed as the cause of death in as many as 20 percent of cancer patients. It is crucial that you continue eating while on chemotherapy. Eating well can help you by giving you energy, boosting your immunity and helping you cope with side effects.

    Coping with Appetite Loss

    • Eat a large amount of calories in the morning, because you may be able to tolerate breakfast better than other meals. Also, eating with friends or family members can help keep your mind off of your nausea and help you eat better.

    What to Eat While on Chemotherapy

    • Try eating six small meals per day instead of three big meals. This may help you keep the food down better. Eat high calorie, protein rich foods since you might not be able to eat much. Drinking liquid supplements is a good way to get vitamins and nutrients if you can't seem to keep food down.

    Warnings

    • Avoid alcohol as much as possible, as it may lessen the effects of any medications that you may be on. Be very careful with the foods you prepare, as you cannot afford a case of food borne illness because your weakened immune system cannot properly fight it off.

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