During cancer treatment, discomfort such as dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea and hair loss may arise, but there are some strategies that can be adopted to alleviate these discomforts through diet.
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 take supplements to ensure that the patient receives all the nutrients they need, and it is important to seek advice and follow-up from a nutritionist or doctor.
Food can help alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, with specific recommendations for each side effect experienced by the person:
1. Dry mouth
To avoid dry mouth due to chemotherapy sessions, it is recommended to drink small sips of water several times a day and avoid consuming sugary drinks, such as soft drinks, for example.
You can also use strategies such as placing small ice cubes in your mouth, made with water or natural fruit juice, and eating foods that dissolve in the mouth, such as gelatin, and that are rich in water, such as watermelon, oranges and green vegetables. , for example. Check out a list of foods rich in water.
2. Vomiting
To avoid vomiting, you should eat and drink in small quantities, in addition to avoiding very hot foods, as they stimulate the vomit 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 highly seasoned and difficult to digest, such as pepper, fried foods and red meat, so that they do not cause nausea and trigger the urge to vomit.
3. Diarrhea
To control diarrhea, the patient needs to eat easily digestible foods that are low in fiber, such as cooked rice and pasta, vegetable puree, boiled or roasted fruit, fruit compote, rice or cornstarch porridge, white bread and simple crackers. It is necessary to avoid fatty foods such as red meat and fried foods, raw vegetables and whole foods, as the fiber in these foods accelerates intestinal transit and promotes diarrhea.
4. Constipation
Unlike diarrhea, to treat constipation you must increase your consumption of fiber and whole foods, such as flaxseed, oats, chia, whole grains, bread, whole grain rice and 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 eating, exercising, even just stretching or taking a light walk, also helps control constipation.
5. Anemia
To treat anemia, you must eat foods rich in iron and folic acid, such as meat, liver, beans and dark green vegetables. When consuming these foods, you should also eat citrus fruits, such as oranges and pineapple, as they promote the absorption of iron in the intestine. Know what to eat for anemia.
6. Hair loss
Hair loss is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy and can directly influence the self-esteem of women and men. However, it is possible to control hair loss through diet through the consumption of 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 your hair, as well as increasing blood circulation to the scalp, which helps nourish your 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 alleviate the symptoms of chemotherapy:
