While undergoing breast cancer treatment, the top priority for the patients is to stay healthy. A healthy, balanced diet gives strength to cope with the cancer treatment. The treatments for breast cancer, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy can have a range of side effects which can impact the eating pattern. But a nutritious diet is important for the body to heal from the treatments and its side effects.
A healthy diet can help in maintaining healthy body weight, keeping the immune system strong, reducing fatigue, maintaining strength, reducing symptoms and side effects, improving quality of life, etc.
Let us take a look at different types of diets that can help a breast cancer patient stay healthy.
Different types of diet
Research shows that having a balanced diet can have a positive impact on cancer survival. Therefore, following a healthy diet not only supports in cancer recovery but also helps in overall wellbeing of the patients. Following are some of the diet types, which are recommend to breast cancer patients.
Plant-based diet: Similar to vegetarian diet, it includes foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, etc. Sufficient amount of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals are obtained from plant foods. These compounds are beneficial for cancer survivors.
Keto diet: Consumption of high fat and low carbohydrates, puts your body in the state of ketosis, where stored fat is burnt for energy. Only few of the patients with breast cancer are advised to follow ketogenic diet.
Mediterranean diet: This diet includes olive oil, beans, dairy, large variety of fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts, etc. It also includes proteins like eggs, chicken and fish in few amounts. This diet may improve sleep quality, reduce pain and boost overall well-being. This diet has reduced risk for breast cancer and has positive effect on breast cancer mortality.
Please consult a nutritionist to suggest the best kind of a diet for you.
Dietary tips
Following are some foods that can be included in the diet; they help overcome side effects of cancer treatment.
Foods to cope with nausea:
Nausea is a very common side effect of chemotherapy and radiations. The following food tips can help cope with nausea:
- Avoid eating or drinking too much at once, stick to small and frequent meals.
- Try low-odour and bland foods like toast, oatmeal, plain yogurt.
- Have liquids like ginger ale, juices, sparkling water with lime to soothe the stomach.
- Suck ginger candies or other candies like mints or lemon.
- Avoid laying down immediately after having meals.
- Avoid having large amount of water with food.
Foods to reduce diarrhoea and constipation:
Diarrhoea and constipation are the two other common side effects of breast cancer treatment and fibre (soluble and insoluble) is the key to manage both.
- For constipation, combination of both soluble and insoluble fibres in diet like lightly steamed vegetables, whole wheat and wheat bran, nuts and seeds, oats, barley, ripe pears, etc.
- For diarrhoea, include only soluble fibres like oats, barley, white rice, chia and flax seeds, lentils, oats and oat meals, etc.
Foods to build appetite:
Lack of appetite and feeling full despite having only few bites are the common challenges faced by the patients. Treating food like a medicine is the only option to recover from treatments and re-build immune system. Some of the food tips which may help increase the appetite are:
- Eating 5 or 6 small meals a day than having 3 larger meals.
- Having food every hour without waiting to feel hungry.
- Having custards or puddings made with whole milk.
- Avoiding tea, coffee, water or other beverages with meals.
- Using olive oil in vegetables.
- Including protein rich foods in every meal.
Every patient responds differently to breast cancer treatment. Some experience no change in their appetite and few lose interest in food because of the side effects. There are many health benefits of eating a nutritious diet when having breast cancer. It makes you feel better, boosts your immune system and keeps you strong.
References:
- The Best Foods to Eat When You Have Breast Cancer. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-best-foods-to-eat-when-you-have-breast-cancer/. Accessed on
- Eating Well During Breast Cancer Treatment. Web MD. https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-treatment-diet.
- A Nutrition Guide for Women with Breast Cancer. British Columbia Cancer Agency. http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/nutrition-site/Documents/Patient%20Education/a_nutrition_guide_for_women_with_breast_cancer.pdf.
- Nutrition for Breast Cancer Prevention. University for California San Francisco. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/basic-facts-about-breast-health-nutrition-for-breast-cancer-prevention.
- Healthy eating. Breast Cancer Network Australia. https://www.bcna.org.au/health-wellbeing/physical-wellbeing/healthy-eating/.
- Nutrition in Cancer Care. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/appetite-loss/nutrition-pdq#_312.