Regardless of the type of cancer, one of the most curious issues in the treatment process is how the diet should be. Herbal treatment methods taken with medicines and spreading from ear to ear can do more harm than good. During treatment, it is possible to get rid of the negative effects of chemotherapy with simple methods.
After the oncology patients unit is admitted to the hospital, their anamnesis is taken and their feeding habits are determined.
The diet support that the patient needs during the cancer disease process is determined and the diet process is planned by the hospital dietitians.
In the treatment process of the patient, the cancer disease process is supported with the immune system strengthening, therapeutic and soothing diet protocols.
Diet and nutrition trainings are given to the patient and their relatives.
Low but frequent diet is important in cancer
Anorexia will be one of the most common problems experienced by patients during treatment. Gradually, but by eating frequently, appetite can be increased.
In addition to increasing appetite by acting; It is necessary to keep foods such as nuts, bananas in the place where they can be reached. In cases where anorexia continues and weight is lost, a doctor should be consulted for additional medication.
Medications can impair your sense of taste
During chemotherapy, balanced amounts of protein, carbohydrate and fat containing foods should be consumed. Chemotherapy drugs can affect the sense of taste, sense of smell, swallowing and chewing functions. While the treatment person is moving away from the food he / she likes before, he / she can feel the food he / she does not like.
You may have nausea complaints
Ginger
One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy is nausea and vomiting. Consuming crackers or toasted bread can be beneficial to suppress nausea, while avoiding odor and fatty foods. Taking the fluid need between meals rather than consuming it reduces the feeling of nausea. Consuming ginger tea by preferring loose clothing can give positive results.
You may experience dry mouth
Chew gum!
Dry mouth, painful sensations and wounds may affect life negatively during treatment. Avoid foods that are sour, acidic, and irritating the throat, and should not consume food too hot or cold. If the wounds in the mouth are many, the foods can be mashed.
Anesthetic drugs that numb the throat should be used without consulting a doctor. Drinking water frequently and consuming sweet food or drinks to relieve dry mouth gives a feeling of relief. Chewing gum, sucking sugar, using lemon or ginger can relieve dry mouth and bitterness.
Drink water!
Diarrhea or constipation problems are frequently encountered during chemotherapy treatments. For diarrhea, it is necessary to reduce fibrous foods, fatty foods, dairy products and foods containing sweeteners. It is important to consume foods containing sodium and potassium such as salty ayran, greens, banana, tomato, potato. For constipation, it should be tried to act by consuming plenty of fiber. In both cases, consuming plenty of water gives positive results.
Don’t listen to the rumors!
During cancer treatment, family members or people in the environment can advise on food, vitamins and medicines that are said to be good for the disease. It is brought to the agenda that these treatment methods are more beneficial because they consist of natural products.
It should also be remembered that most of the drugs used in cancer treatment are obtained by passing the plant and sea products through different test stages many times.
Attention to these plants
It should be noted that some herbs, such as nettle, which are frequently recommended to the public, may interact with chemotherapy drugs, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment or increasing its side effects.
Garlic may interact with dacarbazine used to treat malignant melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma.
Soy, flaxseed; It may interact with tamoxifen, used to treat breast cancer, uterine and ovarian cancer.
St. John’s Wort can interact with almost any chemotherapy drug.
Ginseng, echinacea, calf, gingko biloba; it can interact with many chemotherapy drugs and smart class molecules.
Grapefruit appears to interact with chemotherapy drugs when consumed daily.
The contents of your meals are important
Protein and Cancer diet
High animal protein intake is associated with cancer. One of the reasons for this is that when high amounts of animal protein are taken, there is also an increase in saturated fat consumption.
Studies have found a relationship between saturated fat consumption and breast, prostate, uterus, colorectal, pancreas and kidney cancers. However, it is still unclear whether these cancers are correlated with protein or saturated fat intake.
Instead of consuming high-fat meat and processed meat, fish, which are alternative protein sources, should be consumed with healthy cooking methods. Products containing additives such as nitrate, nitrite (sausage, sausage, salami, etc.) should be avoided.
Fat and Cancer
Fats are the body’s energy store and are essential for the intake of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins that cannot be synthesized in the body. Excessive consumption of all kinds of oil (liquid or solid, animal or vegetable) increases the risk of developing prostate, breast, testicle, uterus, ovarian and colorectal cancers.
For this reason, in order to reduce the fat intake, the dishes should be cooked with low oil, especially the meat dishes should not be added with extra fat and should be cooked in their own oil. The consumption of saturated fats should be decreased and unsaturated fat consumption should be increased. Vegetable oils should be preferred. Oil type and consumption should be in a certain balance.
Carbohydrate and Cancer
Carbohydrates are our main energy source. It is the most common nutrient element in our food. There are also tea sugar, molasses, honey, bread, vegetables, fruits, legumes. There are small amounts of starch-like ‘glycogen’ carbohydrates in meat, fish and chicken.
Vegetables, fruits, non-bran cereals and legumes contain fiber (fiber), a type of carbohydrate. Taking excess pulp prevents constipation and ensures that the intestines work regularly and can prevent the formation of colon-rectum cancers.
Vitamins and Cancer
It is stated that vitamins usually prevent cancer formation. It has been reported that intake of vitamins less than recommended amounts increases the risk of cancer.
Minerals and Cancer
Most minerals are taken into the human body with drinks and food, some by air and some by skin. Some minerals help prevent cancer from occurring, while others cause cancer. Some minerals have an effect in both ways depending on the intake amount.
The main minerals that cause cancer formation are nickel, cadmium, lead, asbestos (asbestos) and arsenic. The main cancer-preserving minerals are selenium, iodine, zinc, molybdenum, calcium and iron.
Alcohol, Smoking and Cancer
It is known that these two addictive substances increase cancer risk even more when they are used together. For this reason, alcohol and cigarette consumption should be limited and ended completely.
Food Cooking Methods and Cancer
Barbecue cooking, which is one of the cooking methods, is not a reliable method for health. In foods that are cooked close to charcoal, harmful substances occur in terms of health and increase the risk of cancer.
Likewise, instead of faulty cooking methods such as frying, roasting, roasting, smoking, healthy methods such as boiling and baking in the oven should be preferred.
