Nutrition for Colon Cancer Patients

Proper diet and nutrition is vital in the treatment of colon cancer. For colon cancer patients, eating the right kinds of foods before, during and after the treatment is essential to make them feel better, recover faster, stay stronger, and keep the cancer from recurring. It is highly recommended that colon cancer patients seek the help of a licensed dietitian specializing in cancer diets to determine what kind of nutritional plan is best for them, according to the American Cancer Society.

Effects of Treatment

• Cancer treatments normally decrease appetite and lower the body's ability to digest food and to absorb and use nutrients. Getting enough calories is essential to being strong enough to fight the cancer, but it is just one aspect of a colon cancer diet.

Eating Habits

• During treatment, nutrition can be improved through proper eating habits such as eating small but frequent nutritious meals, drinking fluids only after eating and not during, and consuming fortified shakes and foods when necessary. A healthy colon cancer diet should include a variety of foods so that there are fewer chances of attracting other diseases, states the Colon Cancer Resource.

Supplements

• Cancer patients need to boost their immune system and take care that they have no nutritional deficiencies in their diets. Because of this, many cancer patients take vitamin and mineral supplements under the direction of their doctors. Not all vitamins and minerals are beneficial, however. Vitamins C and E, for instance, can interfere with chemotherapy, making it harder to kill off cancer cells.

Foods to Avoid

• Colon cancer patients will be advised by their doctors on what kinds of food to avoid. In general, though, patients should stay away from processed foods, sweets, greasy foods, refined sugar, red meat, bad fats, alcohol, spicy foods and junk food in general, per the American Cancer Society.

Foods to Include

• Many colon cancer patients display a good tolerance for fresh organic fruits and vegetables, high-fiber whole grains, cereals and legumes (lentils and beans), chicken and white meat free of additives and hormones, and non-fatty fish. These kinds of foods supply the body with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, complex carbohydrates and easy-to-digest proteins. Whole natural foods are packed with nutrition and help protect against illnesses. Many vegetables have cancer preventive compounds. Some examples include cabbage, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, winter squash and kale, per the American Heart Association.

Good Fats

• According to the Cancer Information Center, good fat is essential in a colon cancer diet. Omega-3 oils are a great source of good fat; some examples of these include fish oil and flax seed oil. Processed oils and fats such as hydrogenated oils and trans fats in margarine and baking products should be avoided at all costs.