Cancer and Nutrition

1. Cancer and Nutrition

2. Things you can do to minimize cancer and chemo-induced lack of appetite: • Food Preparation: • Try to eat small meals or snacks every two to three hours, instead of three large meals a day. • Foods that are high in protein or calories are good snacks to have handy. Examples include milk shakes, ensure, cheese, fruits, peanut butter, nuts, crackers, and juices. • Eat foods that are rich in calories and nutrients. Avoid low-calorie foods that fill you up, such as lettuce, broth, and diet soda. • When choosing beverages, select nutrient-dense fluids such as milk, milk shakes, and juice. • Avoid heavy meals, greasy or fried foods, and foods that can cause gas. Example of gas-producing foods include: beans, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and carbonated drinks. Avoid spicy foods. • Prepare food that is colorful and appealing to the eye. • Surroundings and their effect on lack of appetite: • Try to eat with friends or family. Make eating a social event. Often times people will eat more when they are socializing achatventeviagra. • Avoid smells that are bothersome to you while you are eating. Hot foods have more smell to avoid preparation if possible. Eat cool or room temperature foods so odors are reduced.

3. Taste changes from caner or chemo treatments: • If you have a lack of appetite because you have lost you sense of taste from chemo treatment, you may want to try adding different seasonings to your foods. • If you have a bad taste in your mouth, try sucking on hard candies/mints or chewing gum. Also, keep your mouth clean by brushing at least two times per day and rinsing your mouth out with water between meals /snacks. • Dry Mouth: • If you are not eating much because your mouth is dry, try increasing your fluid intake. Also limit your intake of liquids with meals. Liquids make you feel full. Save the liquids for in between meals. • Avoid toothpaste and mouthwashes that contain alcohol as this can cause further drying of your mouth. To stimulate saliva, or to make your mouth moist, try sucking on ice cubes, cadies, or gum. • You may want to try biotin products which are available at your drug store.

4. Mouth Sores: • If you are not eating because you have sores in your mouth, use a soft bristle toothbrush. You can also rinse your mouth with a mixture of ½ to 1 teaspoon of baking soda or ½ to 1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water about four or five times a day – especially after meals. You may want to ask your doctor if Magic Mouthwash by prescription would be beneficial. • The following guidelines suggest when to call your doctor: • Trouble Swallowing • Losing Weight • Abdominal Pain • Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medications). • Vomiting (more than 4-5 times in a 24-hour period). • Mouth Sores • If you continue to have lack of appetite despite trying some of the above recommendations. • Any other bothersome symptoms and concerns. • Talk to your doctor if these suggestions do not help your appetite. There may be oral medications that can be prescribed to combat lack of appetite. • You can also talk to Ashley Johnson, Patient Wellness Navigator for any additional suggestions regarding Nutrition. 843-577-6957 ext. 216