Taking care of your diet during chemotherapy is very important because your body will be weak and more susceptible to infection. In addition, chemotherapy can cause many side effects that affect your diet.
Food during chemotherapy
Taking care of your diet during chemotherapy is very important because your body will be weak and more susceptible to infection. In addition, chemotherapy can cause many side effects that affect your diet. Therefore, สนใจสมัคร? คลิกที่นี่เพื่อเริ่มต้น choosing the right foods can help strengthen your immune system and reduce side effects from treatment.
Side effects of chemotherapy
- Nausea and vomiting : These are the most common side effects and can occur within 24 hours after chemotherapy and may last for 3-7 days.
- Loss of appetite : Chemotherapy can cause changes in your sense of taste and a decrease in your appetite.
- Mouth ulcers and sore throat : Makes eating difficult and painful.
- Diarrhea or constipation : Changes in the digestive system can make digestion and nutrient absorption difficult.
- Fatigue : Makes the patient feel tired and has no energy to eat.
Foods to eat during chemotherapy
- Eat freshly cooked food because it will help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal infections.
- High-energy foods include adding eggs or milk to food, such as steamed eggs with milk, cream soup with eggs, stir-fried vegetables with eggs, adding good oils to food, such as rice bran oil, olive oil, to food such as porridge with meat or thick soup, spreading jam or butter on crackers, biscuits or bread, etc.
- High-protein foods such as fish, milk, and boiled eggs, as protein is important for building damaged cells in the body.
- Vegetables and fruits: Eat a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits to get vitamins and minerals that help strengthen your immune system.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help reduce nausea, prevent dehydration, and help your kidneys flush out as much chemotherapy medication as possible from your body.
- Avoid foods with strong smells or pungent odors as they may trigger nausea.
- Choose foods that are easily digested, moist, or creamy in texture, such as clear soups, creamed soups, rice soups, or watery fruits.
Foods to avoid during chemo
- Overnight food poses a risk to the body from consuming germs.
- Pickled, raw, semi-cooked and semi-raw foods are at risk of contracting pathogens that cause diarrhea.
- Processed meat and meat consumption should be limited.
- Alcohol and intoxicants can stimulate the activity of cancer cells and reduce the effectiveness of treatment. The amount of drinking should be limited. For women, it should not exceed 1 drink and for men, it should not exceed 2 drinks (1 drink is equal to 1 can of beer (330 ml), 1 glass of wine (150 ml), 45 ml of whiskey).
Further advice
- Don’t let your weight drop. Maintaining a healthy weight is very important.
- Eat enough food. Choose high-energy, high-protein foods, or
divide into 5-6 small meals to ensure that the body receives sufficient nutrients. If necessary, supplement with medical foods. - Avoid being in polluted environments, such as vehicle exhaust or cigarette smoke.
Advice from doctors at Medpark Hospital
Side effects of chemotherapy, such as dry mouth, taste changes, fatigue, mouth sores, and nausea, can make eating a challenge. It’s important for patients to understand what they should eat, such as bland foods if they have mouth sores or moist, creamy foods if they have dry mouth after chemotherapy, to make eating easier. Nourishing the body with nutritious foods and being careful about cleanliness will help reduce the risk of food poisoning. If you have trouble chewing or swallowing, tell your doctor right away for appropriate advice.