How In Home Care Services Can Help Cancer Patients Meet Nutritional Needs
We all benefit from a healthy diet, but it’s especially important for those diagnosed with cancer. Good nutrition helps cancer patients regain strength, enabling them to endure chemotherapy treatments, defend against infections, eliminate breakdown of body tissue, and rebuild lost tissue. Good nutrition also helps patients cope with any cancer treatment side effects and may even be able to help them handle higher doses of certain drugs.
Nutrition recommendations for those with cancer may emphasize eating more higher calorie, higher protein foods. The doctor may recommend drinking more milk or eating foods like cheese and cooked eggs. Other suggestions might include increasing the use of sauces and gravies, or changing cooking methods to include more butter, margarine, or oil. Sometimes, nutrition recommendations for cancer patients suggest eating less of certain high-fiber foods which can aggravate problems such as diarrhea or a sore mouth.
During treatment, cancer patients may experience reduced appetite. When that is the case, the recommendation is to try to eat anything that can be easily digested.
On treatment days, patients should:
- Talk with the nurse to learn about ways to relax if feeling sick before treatment.
- Learn the least difficult time to eat and drink. Sometimes, patients feel better when they eat a little just before treatment. Others feel better when they have nothing to eat or drink before treatment.
- After treatment, patients should wait at least an hour before eating or drinking.
Some foods and drinks that may be easier on the stomach during cancer treatments include:
- Clear broth
- Grape juice
- Baked chicken without skin
- Crackers
- Pasta
- White rice
- Baked potatoes
- Bananas
- Gelatin
- Yogurt
- Popsicles
A healthy diet is vital for a person’s body to work its best. Hired Hands Homecare’s in home care services can provide help to cancer patients by planning, shopping for, and preparing nutritious and delicious meals that meet their caloric needs. Contact us to find out more about elder care Marin and the surrounding areas trust to help them feel more comfortable throughout cancer treatments.
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