Nutrition and Diet for Terminal Colon Cancer

Once a diagnosis of terminal colon cancer has been made, it is tempting to completely forgo all efforts at complying with a quality diet and nutrition plan. Do not give in so easily to apathy. Continuing to follow a healthy diet to the best of your ability can help to make the most of the time you have left, improving your remaining quality of life and helping you to extend those last precious moments with your friends, family and loved ones.

Cancer Dieting Guidelines

• Follow the general cancer dieting guidelines whenever possible, as those afford your body the best opportunity to receive adequate and optimal nutrition throughout the remainder of your battle with colon cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, this includes eating a diet which consists primarily of fruits, vegetables and grains, while limiting fats to less than 30 percent of your total calories. In addition, the medical website EMedTV recommends additional protein intake for caner patients, as protein can help to prevent muscle wasting and can help the body to better rebuild damaged tissue. In general, your meals should consist of a fruit, a veggie, a whole grain, a large protein source (meat, eggs, seafood or poultry) and a small bit of healthy fat (avocados, nuts, seeds, coconuts or oils).

Advanced Colon Cancer Complications

• Make modifications to the diet where necessary to cope with the demands and side effects brought on by terminal colon cancer. For example, as the cancer takes its toll on the body, one very common side effect is a loss of appetite. Circumvent this issue by deviating slightly from the aforementioned recommendations to provide the patient with his favorite foods to pique the appetite during rough patches. In addition, patients with advanced colon cancer will require additional calories when compared to a healthy person, as the cancer will prevent complete food absorption along with requiring extra nutrients to help fend off the disease. Therefore, attempt to bolster the caloric content of meals whenever possible by using calorically dense items in place of others. Some tips to help you accomplish this goal include the substitution of whole dairy items (instead of using low-fat dairy) and preparing meals in high calorie oils like olive and coconut. You might also consider adding servings of powdered milk or flavored protein powder to beverages and/or using butter and other high-calorie flavorings over vegetables to sneak in a bit of extra nutrition for individuals coping with terminal colon cancer.