The majority of cancer patients struggle to maintain enough nutrition for a variety of reasons, such as general disinterest in eating, diminished appetite, altered flavor as a result of treatment, side symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, or intolerance to common foods. Loss of adequate nutrition causes the patient additional problems because it affects their current state, making them more susceptible to side effects and infections. These problems ultimately result in disruptions and an inability to maintain most cancer treatments, both of which have unfavorable effects.

A diet plan is used to ensure that a person who has been diagnosed with cancer increases their eating. This may minimize the possibility of disruptions to their planned anti-most cancer treatment, improving the treatment’s effects and their quality of life in general. Here, in this article, Tapasya Mundhra, the best clinical oncologist dietitian in dubai, will provide you with some advice on the food that a cancer patient should follow.

The best diet for people with cancers

How much food will we need to eat?

An average recommendation for cancer patients is that they consume 25 to 30 kcal per kilogram of body weight per day. The most crucial component of their weight-reduction regimen is protein, and the recommended daily intake is 1.5 g per kg of body weight.

Instead of a few large meals throughout the day, it is advised that the patient consumes 5 to 6 smaller ones.

Physical exercises like walking and mild exercise will increase your appetite and help you consume the recommended number of calories. If necessary, your doctor may also recommend a medication to reduce your appetite.

What to consume

A balanced diet for cancer patients should include more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Water should be consumed in moderation as part of the weight-loss regimen. Your eating plan must help you maintain a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 25 kg/m2.

The below suggestions are for cancer patients receiving active treatment. You should see your doctor or a nutritionist before following a meal plan if you have additional medical issues, such as diabetes.

Snacks or little meals

You can get ideas from these lighter dishes for breakfast, tea-time snacks, or between-meal munchies. Feel free to indulge at odd hours because it is deemed healthier to eat a larger variety of smaller meals rather than three large ones.

With frequent little meals, increase your protein intake. A list of quick bites is provided below to assist you in trying this.

• Eggs: Because they are a great source of protein, eggs, especially those that are scrambled or sunny side up, may also increase your appetite.
• Nuts: A substantial serving of nuts, such as almonds, can make a suitable portable snack.
• Peanut butter: There are variants available that are unsweetened in the market. You might spread those on bread or Rotis.
• Cheese: The best snacks may be cheese cubes. Making your own cottage cheese (paneer) will help you avoid purchasing processed cheese.
• Sprouts: Moong dal and other sprouts go well with a dash of lemon and salt, or with honey for those with candy-colored enamel.
• Uttapams: This delicious South Indian dish is constructed with a batter of rice and sprouts. To enhance the flavor, you can also add tomatoes, onions, coriander, and other ingredients to the batter.
• Dahi Vada: A combination of meals heavy in protein, such as curd, and moong dal, may be a healthy choice.
• Smoothies: You may make a variety of milkshakes and smoothies by blending fruit like bananas and apples with milk. To boost the vitamin content, you might also try using vegetables like carrots, spinach, and beetroot. Oats or nuts could be included to thicken and fill up the beverage.

Essential meals

Make careful to include these components while planning the main meals:

Unrefined flour

Unrefined flours like bajra, jowar, oats, brown rice, and so forth should make up one portion of the meal. These aid in maintaining the body’s optimal level of energy, preventing exhaustion and weakness on a regular basis.

For instance: jowar rotis, oat porridge, and brown rice khichdi

Proteins

The best sources of proteins include meat, lentils and beans, soybeans, dairy products, and a wide variety of others.

Choose lean meats like fish when choosing your meat. Avoid purple meats since they are difficult to digest.

Legumes high in protein include peas (mutter), chickpeas (chana), lentils (dal), and kidney beans (rajma).

Every meal may start with a bowl of curd served in the form of a raita. Spice hints could be added to improve the flavor.

Veggies and culmination

Eat a couple of cups of vegetables every day, advises Dr. Sudha Sinha, a scientific oncologist at the Yankee Oncology Institute in Hyderabad. Many people assume that since they are vegetarians, they consume a lot of greens. That is not always the case. We need to increase the number of veggies in our diet to two to three cups. In addition to this, she suggests eating one to two fruits per day.

Additional fiber

Constipation is a common complaint among cancer patients; thus, includes more fiber to help the digestive system stay clean.

Include a second serving of crisp salad with the meal, being sure to select green and dark yellow leafy vegetables.

Liquids

Your doctor will advise you to drink lots of water in order to stay hydrated throughout the day. In addition to water, you can also try lemon water and fresh fruit juices.

What not to consume

Anything that causes your strength to suddenly increase, leaving you weary afterward, or anything else that is unhealthy for your body (like smoking), needs to be avoided.

This includes the following:

• Refined sugar can be consumed in the form of candy and cakes, or it can be added to hot or cold beverages.
• salt added to prepared foods
• Alcohol
• Caffeinated beverages

How to control nausea and vomiting

The side effects of chemotherapy frequently include nausea and vomiting. Your ability to eat calories and nutrients may be impacted by this. The following are some methods to lessen nausea and vomiting:

• Vomiting risks can be reduced by eating more frequently and in smaller amounts.
• Avoid eating greasy or fried foods.
• Consider consuming soups or drinks in between meals.
• Avoiding meals or beverages that contain excess sugar is good.
• It might be helpful to stand up while eating and to keep doing so for at least an hour thereafter.
• Avoid foods that have strong odors.

If your situation does not improve, You can contact Tapasya Mundhra, the best oncologist in Dubai for the best advice you can stick to.

Conclusion

If you are the one who is suffering from cancer or looking for the best guidance regarding your meals then you are exactly in the right place. Tapasya Mundhra is the best cancer nutritionist available in Dubai. She is the best clinical dietitian present in Dubai.