Diet and chemo

[Jessi08]

Has anyone ever met with a nutritionist who educated you on what foods might react with certain chemicals in chemo?

[Jessi08 Volunteer]

Thank you so much for your input. Prayers are

with you too

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Vitamin A blocks the chemo so stick with the RDA. Grapefruit juice should be avoided as well.

Mesa1219 has given you lots of really great advice. There may come a time though in the course of your chemo that you just can't eat some things. (Chemo works by killing fast growing cells and taste buds are some of them). At that point it may be best to focus on calorie rich foods like cream soups, milk shakes made with Boost.

If you cannot afford to buy organic foods don't not eat something your body needs. You still get some of the necessary nutrients from processed foods.

My favorite snack at the end of the day was vanilla ice cream with fudge sauce and bananas. We called it my ice cream therapy. It must have worked as I am 6+ years stage 4 survivor.

[Steph60]

Be aware that some foods you eat and like now will taste differently and you won't like once you start chemo. For me it was drinking Coke it tasted horrible; I could drink Pepsi with no taste difference.

[FtB_Peggy]

Jessi08, not really adding to the great advice already given. Just thought you might find this link useful for specific questions (if you scroll to the bottom of the page). It addresses how to eat if you have certain symptoms, i.e. diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, etc. Take a peek if you wish.

cancer.org/treatment/surviv...

[scifiknitter Blogger]

Jessi08, my local cancer center gave me a book "Eating Well Through Cancer" by Holly Clegg and Dr. Gerald Miletello. The book has lots of information on the changes we go through as we go through treatment, and recipes and tips for specific issues including sore mouth, neutropenia, constipation, and diarrhea. The ingredients are based on items readily available in the store, and can be easily upgraded/adapted if you already have some dietary practices you are trying to follow. The first chapter addresses chemotherapy day.

I have heard that antioxidants may decrease chemo effectiveness. There isn't much hard data out there. If you are eating a ton of blueberries, you may want to cut back. I would ask my doctor. Here's an article that has no concrete answers but that you may find interesting/helpful: ascopost.com/issues/july-25...

Do you see an oncologist in private practice, or do you go to a center which may offer nutritionist services? In my experience, most nutritionists are rather conservative in their approach. It wouldn't hurt to talk with one, however, and get the standard medical approach as a baseline for your decisions.

Wishing you well!

Anita

[Jessi08 Volunteer]

This is all great info thank you everyone!!!!

scottcharlop

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

The Important thing is to keep eating and remain well hydrated.