By Angela Medieros, Staff Writer
The effects of cancer therapy can be draining
on the body and spirit. Side effects like
diminished taste sensation and upset stomach
affect one’s ability to enjoy food and stay
nourished. Dietary changes throw off
physical and emotional balance. With
proper thought and safe experimentation,
nutritional continuity can be enhanced.
Caregivers looking for additional help with
nutrition can ask the primary care doctor or
oncologist to refer them to a registered
dietician. Cancer specialists have
excellent resources and may be able to locate a
dietician who specializes in nutrition for
cancer patients.
Nutritional techniques that work for one
individual experiencing a given type of cancer
may be less effective for someone whose cancer
is in the same location, but has spread to other
areas. The reverse may be true also, as
everyone has different food likes and dislikes.
A willingness and tolerance to adapting diet
changes over the course of therapy lies with
both loved one and caregiver. Reducing the
stress factor of meal preparation and selection
is a primary goal, along with providing
fulfilling options.
ANATOMY IS A BIG FACTOR
Head and neck surgeries, bowel resections and
any removal of organs will affect the body’s
ability to process foods. The stress the
body undergoes during surgery (and before, when
it is out of balance) requires healing time and
nutritional support. In the case of part
of the bowel being removed, there is less area
and thus less time for the intestinal tract to
process the food taken in. This is true
for the stomach and any surgery involving the
digestive tract. Proper chewing of food,
slow and methodical, until the food has been
“ground down” is a way of getting around the
problem.
But chewing and swallowing can be affected by
cancer therapy, too. Smoothies are
often recommended to help load up on calories
(keeping weight and energy stable).
Minimal “work” is involved to consume a
smoothie, and a variety of types can be created,
with or without protein powders.
When snacking outside of the house, ask about
smoothies (or their variations, in juice and
coffee bars) that can have protein added to
them. Sugar contents may be higher from
one establishment to another, but adding protein
will offset the high carbohydrates, as will
choosing an appropriate size. Nutritional
statements are usually available, and one need
only ask for one or check online for each
company’s “facts on snacks.”
Smoothies provide hydration, especially when
mixed with ice (as they usually are). They
also have the ingredients processed sufficiently
that they may digest better.
Individuals with head and neck challenges can
find chewing a difficult task. Digestion
does start in the mouth, where enzymes are
released to start absorbing nutrients.
Reducing the workload reduces the potential to
shy away from food, because it’s just too hard
to deal with.
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