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Last Updated: Jan 10, 2023
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Breast Cancer Treatment - What Type Of Nutrition Should You Intake?

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Dr. Chaitanyanand B. KoppikerOncologist • 42 Years Exp.MBBS Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, MS - General Surgery
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Maintaining a nutritious diet is always a necessity and the need is more so during breast cancer treatment. Cancer being a dreadful disease, the treatment procedures put a lot of stress on any person. As it is, a person affected by cancer tends to become weak and add to that the rigorous methods of treatment. As these aspects make one thing clear from a patient’s perspective, which is to have a balanced, healthy and nutritious diet during treatment. Only then will the body have necessary strength to heal itself completely after getting treated. Good nutrition would help women to stay strong and feel good. Each cancer patient would have unique nutritional needs as per their weight, extent of the disease and their ability to intake food.

Benefits Of Good Nutrition During Breast Cancer Treatment

  • There are quite a number of benefits to maintain good nutrition during cancer treatment. Some of them are detailed below:
  • Cancer makes you weak, hence intake of good nutritious food enables you to combat fatigue.
  • Helps to maintain your body’s store of nutrients and your weight. It ensures that you don’t lose weight due to weakness.
  • Good nutrition would result in decreasing the risk of getting infected and also allow you recover faster.

What type of diet should you follow?
Now we take a look at the nutritious diet, which cancer patients must ensure to take during cancer treatment:

  • Eat less but have frequent meals throughout the day: Avoid eating too much as weight gain would be a menace in this phase. So, eat small meals frequently and that would ensure your body is getting the required protein, calories and nutrients to tolerate treatment. This would also help in reducing the side-effects related to the treatment, such as nausea.
  • Take protein-rich foods: Taking foods which are rich in protein, is a necessity as protein allows the body to repair tissues and cells. Protein also helps in building immunity. So, take items like chicken, fish, eggs, low fat dairy products in the form of milk, cheese, yogurt, nuts, beans, soyabeans. These would give you the strength to bear treatment.
  • Eat a whole lot of fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables should be there in your diet as they provide antioxidants to the body, which can be of great help in fighting cancer. For patients, who are going through treatment and have weak immune system, fresh fruits and vegetables should be cooked and include them in their daily diet.
  • Drink water: It’s important for patients to drink enough water during treatment so that there is no chance of getting dehydrates. Caffeinated beverages should be avoided.
  • Go for sources of healthy fat: Fried, fatty and greasy foods should be completely avoided at all costs. Rather, choose boiled, baked or grilled foods. Healthy fats would include:
  • Intake of sweets should be limited: Sweets should be kept away from the diet of a cancer patient receiving treatment. Along with it, avoid items having high content of added sugar.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

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