Proper Nutrition Can Reduce Chemotherapy Side Effects

If you are receiving chemotherapy, you want treatment to be as comfortable and healthy as possible. Choosing foods appropriately is very important for your health during this period. In this article, we offer recommendations for reducing chemotherapy side effects.

To Cope with Chemotherapy Side Effects:

• Make meals tasty:
  Chemotherapy may change your sense of taste, making certain foods and drinks taste metallic or bland. For example, you may dislike the taste of water and meat during this period. If plain water is difficult to drink, try flavored mineral water or add sliced lemon, cucumber or mint to drinking water. You can meet some fluid needs through other drinks, such as various teas, ayran and kefir. If meat tastes unpleasant, choose other protein sources such as eggs, dried legumes and fish.
• You can prevent constipation:
   Some people experience constipation as a chemotherapy side effect . Drinking plenty of fluids is important for prevention. Including all types of fiber in your diet is helpful. Dried legumes, vegetables and fruits contain abundant fiber. A little exercise or walking also provides important stimulation for your bowels.
  - Related topic: Dietary Recommendations for Constipation and a Sample Recipe
• Control your weight: 
  Because movement is limited during cancer treatment, calorie requirements decrease. Continuing to eat and drink as you did when active increases the risk of weight gain. Lower-fat foods and plenty of vegetables are therefore recommended as priorities.
• Improve your appetite: 
  Most patients receiving chemotherapy experience reduced appetite. To prevent inadequate nutrition, foods such as warm cereals, hazelnut or peanut butter, hummus with pita bread, yogurt and puréed vegetable soups are recommended.
  - Related topic: How can cancer-related weight loss - cachexia be treated?
• You can prevent diarrhea: 
  If you have diarrhea, we recommend avoiding fatty and fried foods, caffeine, sugary drinks and packaged fruit juices, salads, raw foods, sugar and alcohol. You can choose generally well-tolerated foods such as yogurt, oatmeal, peeled fruit (such as apples, peaches and bananas) and potatoes.
  - Related topic: What are probiotics? Is yogurt beneficial for preventing colon cancer and for the intestinal microbiota?
• Keep a diary of foods consumed and symptoms experienced afterward:
   Record what you eat and drink each day and the symptoms of any problems that follow that day. This helps identify which foods worsen symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea or constipation.

Finally;

• If you have mouth sores, avoid spicy foods, alcohol and very hot foods
• Always drink plenty of water
• Chemotherapy today does not equal nausea, and to control or prevent nausea there are highly effective anti-nausea medicines available. Fatty and fried foods may worsen your nausea
• To aid digestion, eat small meals and portions. Eating little and often both helps digestion and relieves nausea.

Paying attention to these issues may make chemotherapy more comfortable, and you can obtain professional support from a dietitian for nutrition and a diet plan suitable for you.