During cancer treatment, discomfort such as dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea and hair loss may occur, but some strategies may be taken to relieve these discomforts when eating.
The diet of these patients should include nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, seeds and whole grains, with a focus on organic foods, however, in some cases, it is necessary to supplement to ensure that the patient receives all the nutrients they need, and the advice and follow-up of a nutritionist or doctor is important.
- Foods can help alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy.
- With specific recommendations for each side effect a person experiences:.
To avoid dry mouth during chemotherapy sessions, it is recommended to drink small sips of water several times a day and avoid the consumption of sugary drinks, such as carbonated beverages for example.
You can also use strategies such as putting small ice cubes in your mouth, made with natural fruit juice or water, and eating foods that dissolve in your mouth, such as gelatin, and that are rich in water, watermelon, oranges and vegetables. What. See a list of water-rich foods.
To avoid vomiting it is advisable to eat and drink in small amounts, in addition to avoiding very hot foods, since they stimulate the reflection of vomiting, it is ideal to eat before or wait at least 1 hour after chemotherapy, and not to drink liquids with food or lie down immediately after meals.
You should also avoid foods with strong odor or highly seasoned and difficult-to-digest foods, such as peppers, frying and red meats, so that they don’t cause nausea and trigger the urge to vomit.
To control diarrhea, the patient should eat low-fiber, low-fiber foods such as rice and cooked pasta, vegetable puree, boiled or roasted fruit, fruit compote, rice or corn porridge, white bread, and crackers. such as red meats and fried foods, raw vegetables and whole foods should be avoided, as the fiber of these foods accelerates intestinal transit and promotes diarrhea.
Unlike diarrhoea, to consume constipation, it is necessary to increase the consumption of fiber and whole foods, such as linaza, oats, chia, whole grains, bread, rice and wholemeal pasta, fruits and vegetables, especially raw salads.
In addition to fiber intake, it is very important to drink a lot of water, as it is the combination of water fibers that will help speed up intestinal transit. In addition to food, exercise, whether it’s just stretches or light walks, also helps control constipation.
To treat anemia, you need to eat foods rich in iron and folic acid, such as meat, liver, beans, and dark green vegetables. When eating these foods, you should also eat citrus fruits, such as orange and pineapple, because they promote iron absorption in the gut. Know what to eat for anemia.
Hair loss is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy and can directly affect the self-esteem of women and men, however, it is possible to control hair loss through diet by eating rice, beans, lentils, soy, apple cider vinegar, rosemary, shellfish, and milk and dairy products. These foods are rich in protein and minerals that help strengthen hair, as well as increase blood flow to the scalp, which helps nourish hair and prevent hair loss. Discover some recipes to avoid hair loss.
Watch the following video as well and discover these and other tips on how to relieve chemotherapy symptoms: