Foods to Prevent Weight Loss in Cancer
Eating enough is crucial to prevent weight loss during cancer treatment. The stress of a cancer diagnosis and its side effects and pain often cause loss of appetite. You can lose muscle and fat when you don’t eat enough, affecting your physical and mental health. It’s essential to consume adequate calories and protein To maintain weight. Proteins play a vital role in our body’s growth and repair, and getting a balanced mix of calories from protein, fat, and carbohydrates is essential for staying strong during cancer treatment.
Foods to Prevent Weight Loss in Cancer
Let’s consider the leading foods to help you prevent weight loss in cancer:
1- Diet higher in protein
Maintaining a protein-rich diet is crucial during cancer treatment as it repairs body tissue, strengthens the immune system, and hastens recovery. To ensure adequate protein intake, include particular foods in your diet such as milk, cheese, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, meat, poultry, fish, nuts and peanut butter, eggs, legumes, meal replacement shakes, and protein powders. These protein-rich foods will help boost your resistance to infections and aid in faster recovery.
2- Diet higher in calories
Consuming high-calorie foods is vital to prevent weight loss during cancer treatment. Fats and oils are a rich source of energy for the body and also play a role in insulating tissues and transporting vitamins through the bloodstream. Incorporate high-calorie foods into your diet, such as ice cream, whole milk, heavy cream, sour cream, creamy salad dressings, nuts in cereal, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Also, add eggs cooked in olive oil or butter and fats and oils like olive oil, canola oil, butter, and margarine, as well as meal replacement shakes.
3- A diet containing carbs
For optimal health, select carbohydrates that are minimally processed, like whole wheat, bran, and oats. These foods contain soluble fiber, which supports healthy gut bacteria and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that aid in metabolism and cellular repair. Choosing whole-grain carbohydrates is a nutritious way to help maintain overall health during cancer treatment.
4- Fluids
Staying hydrated is crucial for the body’s overall functioning, especially during cancer treatment. To fulfill your fluid needs, consider the following: water, seltzer water or sparkling waters, soups or broths, gelatin, popsicles and fruit ices, iced or hot fruit teas, meal replacement shakes, and sports drinks.
Remember to consult your doctor or dietitian before making any dietary changes, especially if you are concerned about weight loss or lack of appetite.
5- Diet to prevent other side effects of cancer treatment
Managing side effects is essential to cancer treatment, and dietary changes can be helpful. To help with side effects such as appetite loss, consider eating small, nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day. For constipation, hydrate by drinking plenty of water, add fiber-rich foods to your diet, and consider a fiber supplement.
To combat diarrhea:
- Choose foods and drinks with sodium and potassium, such as sports drinks or broth, bananas, and natural fruit juices.
- If the taste is an issue, try new foods with spices or marinades, or add intense flavors like lemon or lime juice.
- Opt for anti-nausea foods such as citrus, ginger, and peppermint oil to alleviate nausea. You can also suck on a slice of lemon, drink ginger tea, or eat ginger chews.
Final Verdict
Cancer can cause weight loss due to various factors such as stress, treatment side effects, and a lack of appetite. It’s vital to ensure you’re getting enough calories and protein in your diet to prevent this. By incorporating high-calorie foods, you can help prevent unwanted weight loss.
Additionally, consider visiting gourmetpured.com for convenient home delivery meals tailored to meet your dietary requirements and specifically designed to support cancer patients. Our Cancer Support menus are higher in proteins and calories and offer nutritionally tailored meals to meet your unique needs.
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Discover the importance of incorporating high-protein, high-calorie foods to prevent weight loss in cancer treatment!
