July News

Good nutrition is important for everyone – especially cancer patients. Both cancer and its treatments can negatively impact your body, but eating a nutritious diet can help. 

“Patients who are well nourished may have a better prognosis (chance of recovery) and quality of life” (National Cancer Institute). A nutritious diet can build up the immune system and help patients regain energy and strength. Good nutrition plays a vital role in quality of life during treatment and into survivorship.

Unfortunately, cancer and its treatments can sometimes cause appetite changes and other eating problems. This can make it difficult to consume the level of nutrients needed for optimal health, but there are things that can be done to ease these affects.

One of the most common eating-related problems patients experience is nausea. In fact, according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, nearly 70 percent of patients have said they experience nausea either before or during treatment. If you’re experiencing nausea, your doctor may prescribe an anti-nausea medication to help. However, if you find that the medicine isn’t doing enough to relieve your discomfort, you may want to try eating bland, dry foods such as crackers and toast, drinking clear liquids to prevent dehydration, sucking on hard candy, or eating or drinking ginger. Click here for more methods to try. 

Taste and smell changes are also common during treatment. If this is something you’re experiencing, you may want to try flavoring foods with tart flavors, spices, and other tastes you don’t normally try. Sucking on hard candy, brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth can also help. Click here for other methods to try.

Eating a nutritious diet can be challenging during treatment, but it’s extremely important in terms of recovery and overall quality of life. If you need help managing your nutrition, please contact Casey Shelor, MS, CHES, CTTS, CWC, CPT, our Director of Cancer Prevention & Wellness at casey.shelor@hopecancerresources.org or 479-361-5847 to schedule your personal wellness consultation. All services are offered free of charge.