Childhood cancer: how to control vomiting and diarrhea

To control vomiting and diarrhea in the child undergoing cancer treatment, it is necessary to avoid very large meals and foods high in fat, such as red meat, bacon and sausage.

In addition, it is necessary to offer the child plenty of fluids to maintain hydration and easily digestible foods, such as white bread, eggs and yogurt, that do not irritate the intestines.

Foods to control nausea and vomiting

Foods indicated to control nausea and vomiting should be soft and easy to digest, such as:

Skinless, roasted or cooked chicken; Soft fruits and vegetables, such as peach, banana, avocado, papaya, pumpkin, tomato, potato; Toast, bread and biscuits; Oatmeal; Yogurt; Fruit ice cream.

In addition, it is also important to avoid fried foods, bacon, sausage, mints, very sweet cakes, pepper and foods with a very strong or very spicy smell.

Recommended foods and foods to avoid in bouts of diarrhea and vomiting

Tips to control nausea and vomiting

In addition to feeding, some tips to control nausea and vomiting in children are to give only small amounts of food at each meal, avoid hot preparations and avoid consuming liquids during meals.

It is also important to only offer food to the child when the vomiting crisis is controlled, and not to let him go out or play right after meals, as physical effort delays digestion and increases nausea.

How to control Diarrhea

To treat bouts of diarrhea, it is important to eat meals in small quantities and drink plenty of water, teas and natural juices throughout the day, preferably at room temperature. Foods indicated to control diarrhea are:

Skinless chicken, low-fat meat and fish; Boiled eggs, not fried; Rice, pasta, white bread; Yogurt; Grape juice, ripe banana, pear and shelled apple.

In addition, foods rich in fat, such as fried foods, red meats and sausages, should be avoided, as they hamper digestion and favor diarrhea. One should also avoid the consumption of raw vegetables and strong spices, such as pepper, curry and palm oil.

In cases where diarrhea lasts for more than 3 days in a row, milk and milk products should be removed for at least 1 week, gradually offering them back to the child to see if they are the cause of the diarrhea.