Diet

[agamca3920]

Hi I am new here but would like to know what foods my daughter - with Grade 4 Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma - should avoid. Just had first dose of Chemotherapy.

[R-16728]

Hi,

I've been living with NHL for many years now. I've suffered two chemos and currently am on a drug that is working well for me. I recently got a book called The Kill Cancer Meal Program: You are What You Eat by Ken Crawford and Gelen Irby. These doctors outline "several do not eat" foods that they claim "feed" cancer cells. The main culprit is refined sugar especially in soft drinks, baked goods etc. This is especially true if it is likely to "spike" blood sugar levels. The key is to consume foods that will keep blood sugar low or level. They promote a nut, fruit, vegetable diet with minimal meat but NOT vegetarian because the key is balance. All good bacteria in the stomach need to be kept happy and consuming hence all kinds of food must be eaten regularly.

In many ways, they are promoting what is commonly suggested by programs like Weight Watchers or Atkins. They claim that the North American diet is the main culprit causing increased cancer rates. i.e. meat, potatoes, soft drinks, baked goods instead of seeds, nuts, fruit and vegetables. There is a suggestion that chemotherapy does in a short time what proper diet could do over the long term.

I’m not sure where I stand on all this. NHL is not a tumour but I’m trying to add a few things to my diet and eliminate a few others. Believe me it is not easy. Cutting out bread seems impossible so I’m cutting back to two slices per day. Same kind of reduction for pasta and potatoes. I’m snacking on walnuts and pecans and have begun adding dried blueberries and cranberries to my breakfast. Life goes on! Good luck.

[Shar0n Volunteer in reply to R-16728]

Here is a link to a grain free , sugar free bread: thelittlegreenspoon.com/201... It's based on ground almonds instead of flour and can satisfy the bread craving. I eat this bread or a variant of it every day with grass fed butter, since I went totally grain free. It has the added benefits of nutrition and keeping you from getting too thin when you cut the starches out. While NHL is not a single tumour, I think it can't harm to limit the energy source of the faulty cells. My own approach is remission and survival as goals . Thanks for the tip on the Dr. Ken Crawford book. I got his book You are What They Eat on Kindle and it seems to be full of good information.

[wmay13241 in reply to R-16728]

For probiotics I eat one Activia yogurt per day.

[Shar0n Volunteer in reply to wmay13241]

Hi wmay13241, I eat yogurt every day too for the probiotics. I make my own yogurt from full fat milk now as I discovered that the various yogurt makers on the market make it very easy to control the temperature,which is actually the hardest part of it. All you need as regards ingredients is a small amount of previously made/bought plain yogurt and a litre of fresh full fat milk.

[Sandy_Mouse in reply to R-16728]

I adhere to the "No Wheat Diet" which just means cut out all breads, pastas, cookies, cakes...anything made with wheat. This includes all sugar too! It has worked well for me! If you like pasta, try kamut...it's an ancient grain. It is made in penne, spaghetti, rotini too! Once you get off the wheat and sugar and eat whole foods, not processed foods (like packaged food) your body will be satisfied! That's known as satiety. The important thing to remember is to nourish your body, get rest, walk, because it's low impact exercise and try to help yourself by managing stress...and don't forget SLEEP! Get drinks like blueberry, pomegranate and eat strawberries, raspberries...these items have ellagic acid...and that's good stuff for your body! Other berries have these properties too...look it up! I too have Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, sub-brand MALT. Not happy with this....doing my best to keep fed....rest...walk...sleep. Be well friends! I read "Wheat Belly" by Dr. William Davis. Maybe not all is applicable to what you want or like...but I adhere to his premise that we humans were not designed to eat grains. I lost 25 pounds within 2 months just by eating better. I have maintained my weight since 2012. (I was 166 lbs) I feel better too!

[agamca3920 in reply to Sandy_Mouse]

Thanks for help. Keep on feeling better

[jamoza]

I am only replying from my own experience, not from any medical background. After I was diagnosed with NHL (Stage 3) I changed my lifestyle significantly. Specifically I took up running and adopted a low carb, high fat, high protein diet. I have lost weight and body fat and feel great now. I am very blessed in that I have been on 'watch and wait' for 5 years now and have never received any chemo. My prayers go to you and your daughter for a favourable outcome for her.

[agamca3920 in reply to jamoza]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. Marie's (my daughter) first chemo didn't go too well (she went into shock but the Doctors were right there with Piriton and lowered the dosage) I will definitely adopt the diet you have suggested although due to the fact that she was a 'keep fit' fantatic I wouldn't like her to lose any more weight Having said that being so fit will, hopefully, help her to get through!!! Thanks for the prayers, so glad you are keeping well.

[Charleneden in reply to jamoza]

hi..5 years sounds great.. just wondering about your diet what kind of veg and fruit.. since carbs turn into sugar and fruit has natural sugar. whatever you have been doing is really working

[jamoza in reply to Charleneden]

Don't have a lot of fruit but have plenty of vegetables with my meat or fish. Avoid potatoes and bread and pasta where possible (difficult at buffets!). Lots of eggs, avocado, chorizo, cheese and full fat yogurt. Bit of a weakness for red wine and good beer/lager!!!

[R-16728 in reply to Charleneden]

There is a difference in the way the body absorbs "white/brown" kitchen sugar that is present in drinks (including fruit juice) and baked goods, and that from whole fruits. Number one difference is when you eat a whole fruit it takes longer for the body to absorb the sugar ie. it keeps your blood sugar levels flatter. Number two, it is a different type of sugar. Honey may not be in the same category as fruit. Worth checking if you use honey often. Once again, the key is to avoid "spikes" in blood sugar.

[Shar0n Volunteer]

Here is a site which has a lot of information about diet and medical treatments for follicular lymphoma which I have found useful. lymphomasurvival.com

[wmay13241]

Try this site that lists the top ten cancer fighting foods you should eat - my wife and I try to eat these foods, minimize sugary foods (especially soda of any kind), minimize red meat (beef, pork), and minimize trans fats and saturated fat.

livescience.com/16336-top-1...

[Joyceosborne]

I don't know of any specific foods to avoid but I am on Watch and wait however to have a standard nutritional diet is what I have heard is important although I will tell you I see a nutritionist and I am getting vitamin B12 injections

[Charleneden]

hi..i have fnhl and I am stage 4.... been on wait and watch for 13 months now....I was researching about "TROJAN HORSE" was wondering if anyone else has heard of it or better yet have you tried it. I have also cut out all SUGAR if it has sugar in the ingredients I don't put it in my mouth. I am also taking the CBD oil once a day. Has anyone tried it?????? I am eating very low carbs and bake fish,tuna,chicken and steak . Because of the sugar even in veg and fruits. I don't eat fruits at all. I hope I am on the right path and will go for ct in march

[Shar0n Volunteer in reply to Charleneden]

I have seen CBD oil mentioned a lot but haven't tried it. It seems to be quite expensive but maybe as demand increases it will come down in price. Good luck with your next scan. I fully agree with you about sugar - not good for anyone but especially anyone with any form of cancer.

[yooper5]

Avoid high glycemic foods. No pop. Contact Dr. Ken W. Crawford. He's on Facebook. Get his books. You Are What THEY Eat is on Amazon. Two more are coming out this spring

[RogerM106]

DEFINITELY STAY CLEAR OF BANANAS.....

[Shar0n Volunteer in reply to RogerM106]

Hello Roger,would that be because of the sugar content in bananas?

[RogerM106 in reply to Shar0n]

I remember reading that Bananas were / are really bad for NHL sufferers, can't remember why, but remember that it is a no go fruit. I was diagnosed with NHL years ago, and my specialist advised me not to eat that fruit....l'm not going down the chemical route, but will take Gods path. I've seen all the side effects of chemo. etc, so have not chosen that route. Bananas have a cemical compound as do other fruit in their category that are depremental to your healt if you have NHL, so google away and or ask a specialist what they advice not to eat.

[Shar0n Volunteer in reply to RogerM106]

Many thanks for that,Roger. I've been refining my diet over the last two years and was still having a banana on the days when I would swim a lot but will now replace it with something better.

[Josie2rulrs]

I truly believe diet helps keep healthy....My cousin who was fanatic with no cancer - about his diet, adhered to the Dr. Furman diet basically a vegan diet....but he never went off it was very strict, ate no processed sugars, nothing nothing at all. we would go to dinner with him and his consisted of steamed vegetables, etc.

well with no cancer in him, he developed stomach cancer, which was a shock to all...and died within a year because he stopped the chemo and did alternative natural methods....only 55...

so I would say its a combination of chemo, good food and balance...

[Hidden]

Josie2rulrs - you are absolutely right. I trust in chemo, a healthy balanced diet (the more colours on your plate the better - no food groups should be omitted) and exercise - a good brisk walk every day you can - good for the mind as well as the body.

[Jimmy82]

I just finished 8 weeks of rituximab chemo. I will have bone marrow biopsy in a few weeks to find out any changes. They did say not to eat any lol cal foods with sugar substitutes. Losing weight not an option while on program Just eat very healthy and good luck

[agamca3920 in reply to Jimmy82]

Thanks for advice. I am actually trying to get as much information for my daughter who has just had her first bout of chemo! As it happens she had already cut out most sugars before she was diagnosed (she is also a 'keep fit fanatic'). However, as I will be helping to care for her I am storming anyone willing to listen!!! (Don't know if it is normal but she has lost a stone in weight since Sunday - she is now eight stone - she said it is probably the chemo getting rid of all the fluid which seemed to make her legs and tummy swell). Glad you are through the 8 weeks. Thank you

[Hidden in reply to agamca3920]

I lost nearly a stone when I started chemo my too. I was referred to a dietician (my BMI was very low) and she advised I eat plenty of fat and sugar. It sounds counter-intuitive but you need to have a good normal weight while on chemo. I ate lots of full fat yogurt, shakes, biscuits etc. I gained a few pounds but have not got back to my original weight 10 stone 4lbs (5ft 6inches). Please advise her not to cut out sugar. A balanced diet is most important (with added sugar and fat if significant weight is lost during chemo). If she gets any proper medical advice they will say this. It is a myth than cancer grows because of sugar. I suggest that you ask her to go to a proper qualified professional (a dietician) as I did to manage her weight. My tumour has now completely shrunk and I am back running and exercising as normal. Food gives you strength!

[BLP1211 in reply to agamca3920]

What is a STONE?

[PAgrandmom]

Don't forget the water. At times when I don't feel well with NHL a glass of water helps. I am not a water drinker pe se but it helps. I generally drink a lot of tea. I am sad for your daughter to have contracted this at a young age. I was 74 when mine started. Another thing - following a diet gives YOU something to do - it gives a purpose. js in Pa.