Healthy Eating
From the DFCI/NCCN Survivorship Information
TM
Project
Although we don’t know of any diet that will keep your cancer from coming back, we do know that eating well is still very important. A well-balanced diet can help you:
- regain strength
- rebuild tissue
- get all the nutrients you need
- feel more energetic
- feel better overall
Here are some healthy eating tips that you can use right now:
- Eat a variety of foods from all food groups. (Be sure to ask your health care team about any foods you should avoid.)
- Fill your diet with fruits and vegetables. Experts recommend 5 to 9 servings a day.
- Look for high-fiber foods when you shop. These include whole-grain cereals, breads, and pastas.
- Choose low-fat milk, and other low-fat or nonfat dairy products (like cheese and yogurt).
- Cut back on red meat, which is high in fat. Try leaner meats like chicken or turkey without skin. If you do buy meat, look for cuts labeled “eye of round” or “top round.” Buy ground beef that says “96% lean” or higher.
- Go easy on fat and salt. Both are unhealthy and make your heart and circulation work much harder than they should.
- Avoid salt-cured, smoked, and pickled foods (things like sausage or bacon). These foods have a lot of salt and preservatives.
- Try new ways to cook! It is healthier to broil, steam, bake, and poach foods than it is to fry or sauté them.
If you are overweight and want to slim down, talk to your health care team. They may be able to help or refer you to a dietician.
Getting Back Into Eating
Sometimes cancer treatment can cause eating-related side effects like:
- poor appetite
- dry mouth
- change in taste or smell
- having a hard time swallowing
These problems make it hard to get excited about eating and can make survivors lose weight. If you are facing any of these issues, talk with your health care team. These tips can help make preparing and eating food easier:
- Start with small meals.
- Make simple meals that use easy recipes.
- Focus on your favorite foods. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it!
- Cook enough for 2 or 3 meals, and freeze the rest for later.
- Take advantage of the supermarket salad bar or prepared foods to make mealtime easier.
- Think about things that used to make mealtime special, and try them out.
- Ask a friend or family member to help you with shopping or cooking.
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