During cancer treatment, discomforts such as dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea and hair loss may occur, but there are some strategies that can be adopted to alleviate these discomforts through eating.
The diet for these patients should include nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, seeds and whole grains, giving preference to organic foods. However, in some cases it is necessary to supplement to ensure that the patient receives all the nutrients he needs, with the advice and follow-up of a nutritionist or doctor being important.
Food can help to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, with specific recommendations for each side effect experienced by the person:
1. Dry mouth
To avoid dryness of the mouth due to chemotherapy sessions, it is recommended to drink small sips of water several times a day and avoid the consumption of sugary drinks, such as sodas, for example.
You can also use strategies like putting small ice cubes in your mouth, made with water or natural fruit juice, and eating foods that dissolve in your mouth, like gelatin, and that are rich in water, like watermelon, oranges and vegetables, for example. Check out a list of water-rich foods.
2. Vomiting
To avoid vomiting you should eat and drink in small quantities, in addition to avoiding very hot foods, as they stimulate the vomiting reflex. The ideal is to eat before or wait at least 1 hour after chemotherapy, and you should not drink liquids with food or lie down right after meals.
You should also avoid foods with a very strong smell or foods that are very spicy and difficult to digest, such as pepper, fried foods and red meat, so that they do not cause nausea and do not trigger the urge to vomit.
3. Diarrhea
To control diarrhea, the patient needs to eat foods that are easy to digest and low in fiber, such as cooked rice and pasta, vegetable puree, cooked or roasted fruits, fruit compote, rice or corn porridge, white bread and plain crackers. It is necessary to avoid fatty foods such as red meat and fried foods, raw vegetables and whole foods, as the fibers in these foods accelerate intestinal transit and favor diarrhea.
4. Constipation
Unlike diarrhea, to treat constipation, you must increase your consumption of fiber and whole foods, such as flaxseeds, oats, chia, whole grains, bread, rice and whole pasta, fruits and vegetables, especially raw salads.
Along with fiber intake, it is very important to drink plenty of water, as it is the fiber + water combination that will help speed up intestinal transit. In addition to food, the practice of physical exercises, even if it is only stretching or light walks, also helps in controlling constipation.
5. Anemia
To treat anemia you should eat foods rich in iron and folic acid, such as meats, liver, beans and dark green vegetables. When consuming these foods, one should also eat citrus fruits, such as orange and pineapple, as they favor the absorption of iron in the intestine. Know what to eat for anemia.
6. Hair loss
Hair loss is one of the most frequent side effects of chemotherapy and can directly influence the self-esteem of women and men. However, it is possible to control hair loss by eating rice, beans, lentils, soy, apple cider vinegar, rosemary, seafood and milk and dairy products. These foods are rich in proteins and minerals that help strengthen hair, as well as increase blood circulation in the scalp, which helps to nourish hair and prevent hair loss. Check out some recipes to prevent hair loss.
Also watch the following video and check out these and other tips on how to relieve chemotherapy symptoms:
