Tips To Help Maintain A Healthy Weight During Cancer Treatment

Cancer leads to involuntary and unhealthy weight loss. The treatment and symptoms of the disease affect a patient’s appetite. Diarrhea, mouth sores, nausea, and vomiting inhibit healthy eating.

Cancer produces cytokines that influence how the body processes food energy leading to reduced muscle, weight, and appetite. The body uses more calories to fight cancer, so a patient must consume more calories to curb weight loss.

The body breaks down our food into three macro-nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. So, you must consume food with the three macro nutrients. Fats have twice the number of nutrients compared to carbs and proteins. The body breaks down fat as the last nutrient, so more fat helps maintain a healthy weight.

Dietitians warn that if you lose muscles due to insufficient energy and protein, it compromises the immune system. A weak immune system worsens the side effects of cancer treatment.

Tips for maintaining healthy weight:

1. Eat small portions of high-calorie meals frequently during the day. Talk to a physician to determine if you can add supplements to your food and which supplements to avoid.
2. Vegetables are good, but unfortunately, they do not help with weight gain. Balance the vegetables with fats and proteins for a wholesome meal.
3. Eat adequate amounts of healthy fats,such as olive oil, nuts, avocadoes, coconut oil, butter, nut butter, and fatty fish (trout, snapper, sardines, salmon, and tuna).
4. Consult a registered nutritionist or dietitian to help you create a meal plan based on the treatment plan, health history, disease type, and personal preference.
5. When you do not feel like eating, consider taking a fruit or veggie smoothie. Add peanuts or coconut oil to improve the flavor and calorie count.
6. Consuming too much caffeine leads to dehydration so, reduce its intake. It good to stay hydrated, as it helps to fight cancer.