Eat Well & Coping With Weight
Importance of Healthy Diet
Absolutely important! Ensuring adequate nutrition is crucial for maintaining strength and supporting the body during cancer treatment. Food holds a significant place in our lives beyond just fulfilling physical needs. However, for many individuals with cancer, eating can become challenging. While eating might become more challenging, finding ways to make mealtimes enjoyable and exploring foods that are appealing and manageable can significantly contribute to overall well-being and quality of life during this time.
Variety and Balance
A well-rounded diet is essential for supporting your body's health and functionality. The secret to a good diet lies in having a diverse selection of foods that offer a balanced mix of essential nutrients.
Balance is equally crucial. Balancing your meals means consuming the right proportions of various food groups. It's about enjoying a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals in a way that suits your body's needs.
Carbohydrates and Energy
Breads, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals, cakes, biscuits and grains are good source of carbohydrate which provide energy, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Energy is measured in calories and we all need a adequate calories each day to live, even if we are not very active, for example, just to breath needs energy. The amount of energy each person needs per day varies. A man and a woman need roughly 2,500 kcal and 2,000kcal respectively every day.
Vitamins and Fibre
Fresh fruit and vegetables are sources of vitamins and fibre which can be taken raw or lightly cooked, or made into juice. Vitamins are essential substances which help our bodies to work normally, although we only need a tiny amount of them. Eating even a little of the main foods that contain vitamins, you are probably getting a good enough supply. However, if you are not eating well over a long period of time, you may need multivitamin supplements to top up.
Minerals
Minerals are substances needed by the body for various functions: such as bone and teeth formation, maintaining body fluids and tissues, maintaining healthy nerves and building necessary chemicals, e.g. enzymes. Some minerals are required in larger amounts than others, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chlorine. Trace minerals are required in small quantities, e.g. iron, zinc, iodine, fluoride, selenium and copper.
Proteins
Meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, nuts, eggs, milk and cheese are protein sources which provide vitamins, minerals and energy as well. Proteins make up the basic building blocks of the body. Every part of the body is made up of protein and we have to consume protein every day to maintain and repair our body tissues. Our body must have protein reserve and extra energy, when we are ill, injured or under stress in order to repair any damage.
Fats
Sources of fat include oil, butter, margarine, fatty meat, oily fish, eggs, cheese, cream, nuts, salad dressing or mayonnaise, full-fat milk, yoghurts and fromage frais. Some of these also provide protein, vitamins and energy.
Note: Make sure that eggs are well cooked. Avoid soft cheese like brie, and cheeses made from unpasteurized milk. These foods may carry a risk of infection.
Fluids
Our body needs a certain amount of fluid every day in order to function properly. If you do not feel well it may be difficult to take enough liquid, but it is important to drink at least 1.5 litres of fluid a day (2 pints). This can be taken as water, fruit juice or soup. Drinks that contain caffeine (such as coffee, tea and some fizzy drinks) may make you dehydrated because caffeine is a diuretic and can make you produce more urine.
Trouble Eating?
If you have a poor appetite, there are two ways to add extra energy and protein to your diet, without actually having to eat more food.
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Take foods high in energy and protein
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Consider food supplements. These can be forms of as meal replacement milk, nourishing drinks, which are available as milk shakes or soups. Some supplements are high-protein supplements are ready to drink or powders that can be added to your normal food or cooked food as well.
How to add high energy food?
Fortified milk: Add two tablespoons of dried milk powder to a pint (500 ml) of full cream milk. Keep it in the fridge and use it in drinks and cooking. Use this fortified full cream milk instead of water to make soup, jelly, custard and pudding.
Drinks: Use fortified milk, or half milk instead of water when making any drinks. Add two to three teaspoons of high energy supplement to drinks.
Casseroles and soups: Add lentils, beans and noodles. Stir a tablespoon of cream into soups or add energy and protein supplements. Make up packet soups with fortified milk or milk powder.
Breakfast cereals: Use fortified milk. Add syrup or honey to porridge or use 2-3 teaspoons of a high-energy supplement Make porridge with full cream milk or cream.
Nibbles: Keep snacks like nuts, fresh and dried fruit, biscuits, crackers, yoghurts or fromage frais handy to nibble on if you feel hungry
instead of sugar or salt between meals.
Mashed potato: Adding two teaspoons of butter or cream and by sprinkling grated cheese on top of mashed potato. High energy and protein supplements can also be added.
Vegetables: Melt butter on top of hot vegetables or garnish with grated cheese or chopped hard-boiled egg. Alternatively, serve with a sauce made with fortified milk.
Sandwiches: Spread thick fillings. Add two teaspoons of mayonnaise to sandwich fillings like hard-boiled egg, or tuna fish.
Your Feeling Matters
During times when eating becomes a challenge due to fatigue or illness, remember that mealtimes are about more than just food – they're also about social connections. If you're unable to eat a full meal, don't feel excluded; your loved ones will cherish your company, regardless. Sometimes, illness might make it difficult to prepare meals, and it's okay to let others take over. Don't carry guilt for delegating tasks when unwell; focus on getting better. Reach out to trusted individuals for help with cooking or household chores if needed. Seeking professional assistance or talking about your emotions can be immensely helpful. Don't view it as failure; instead, sharing your feelings helps others understand and offer support.
Feeling Bad with Weight Lost?
Weight loss during cancer treatment can be emotionally challenging as it alters your body image. It's common to feel unsettled when you notice physical changes, especially if they differ from the familiar image you hold of yourself. Concerns about how others perceive you, especially loved ones, can add to this worry. Despite these changes, remember that your personality remains unchanged and valued by those close to you. There might be concerns about how these changes impact personal relationships, including intimacy. However, open conversations often dispel fears and strengthen bonds, as relationships are built on various aspects beyond physical appearance.
