Undergoing Cancer Treatment
Everyone knows that it's important to have healthy eating habits and to exercise. But if you are
undergoing cancer treatment, it's more important than ever. Here are a few specific tips about each
topic.
Eat Healthy
You've heard all your life about the importance of healthy eating. But since you're
fighting cancer, you should try harder than ever. Healthy eating helps to keep your body strong and your immune system
in top form. Here are some general guidelines to healthier eating:
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat
- Increase whole grains
- Eat less fat
- Watch your weight and portion sizes
As you may know, chemotherapy often causes digestive system side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Paying
attention to your eating habits may help you avoid or control these side effects.
Foods to Avoid to Help Lessen or Prevent Side Effects of Chemotherapy
If your mouth is sore avoid:
- Citrus fruits and juices
- Tomato sauce or juice
- Spicy or salty food
- Raw vegetables, granola, crackers, or other rough, dry food
- Mouthwashes with alcohol
If you have nausea avoid:
- Fried, fatty, or greasy food
- Very sweet food (candy, cookies, cake)
- Spicy or hot food
- Raw vegetables, granola, crackers, or other rough, dry food
- Any food with strong odors
If you have diarrhea avoid:
- Fried, fatty, or greasy food, or food with a lot of seasoning
- Raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit
- Raw meat or fish
- Anything very hot or cold
- Caffeine (coffee, tea, colas, chocolate)
- Carbonated drinks
Get Exercise
As you've no doubt heard, getting exercise is important to your overall
health. Exercising helps you stay strong to fight off cancer. It also
gives you the strength you need to stand up to treatment, which can take
a toll on your body. Even mild exercise can help boost the immune system.
Also, exercise can serve as a great outlet for stress.
Here are some ways to get mild exercise in your daily life:
- Walk around the neighborhood
- Walk, instead of driving, for small errands (to the mailbox, the corner store, etc)
- Walk your dog (or a friend or neighbor's dog)
- Go on short nature hikes through public gardens and parks
- Take the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator
- Do some gardening or low-impact landscaping
- Stand for brief periods while reading, eating, or watching television
Always ask your doctor before beginning any exercise program.