Many patients undergoing cancer treatment often deal with a loss of energy and appetite during the process. Other side effects include weight loss and intestinal or digestive problems. Everyone involved in the patient’s treatment schedule should recommend that the patient maintain a healthy, nutritious diet. Such a diet will give the patient the energy that they will need during treatment and lessen the impact of severe weight loss.
Nutritional balance in a patient’s diet in these stages is critical to the recovery process. Many patients may read or hear about someone promoting an “anti-cancer miracle diet” that promises to treat, or even remove, the cancer without the harmful side effects of traditional therapies. However, most of these fad diets emphasize taking in massive quantities of one type of food, drink or vitamin supplement at the expense of any others. If the patient has such concerns, they should ask their doctor to recommend a nutritionist. These specialists can create and, in many cases, prepare healthy recipes that will meet the patient’s special nutritional needs.
Health care professionals will also recommend that patients refrain from tobacco and alcohol consumption, foods loaded with fats and sugars, and activities that disrupt healthy sleeping and eating patterns. Regular, non-strenuous exercise activities such as walking or bicycling should also help patients grow healthier both physically and psychologically. Simple exercises can improve blood flow, regulate breathing and increase efficacy of treatments.