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Proper Nutrition During Radiation

Those afflicted with cancer have a number of treatment options. One of the most popular is radiation therapy, although this treatment can be just as hard on your body as it is on cancer. For more information about this type of cancer treatment, and the radiotherapy options for mesothelioma patients, please see Radiation.

When going through radiation therapy, it is important to continue eating a healthy diet. A good diet can help fight cancer, and, at the very least, it will improve quality of life. You doctor can help you prepare for the changes in diet and appetite that are sure to take place, as well as recommend healthy foods to eat.

Before you begin radiation, you should see a nutritionist. A nutritionist can help uncover current diet weaknesses and talk to you about ways to improve eating habits. With a nutritionist, you can work out a daily diet plan that can work for you. You can record diet changes as you proceed with the radiation, and this will help you, the nutritionist, and your doctor figure out what is working and what is not.

Before you begin therapy, your doctor should also talk to you about the symptoms associated with radiation. These include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, and loss of appetite. Unrelated to diet, you may also experience tiredness, hair loss, skin problems, anxiety, and depression. More than half of all cancer patients receive radiation treatment, so it is important to talk to your doctor about these risks from the very start.

If you develop cancer and opt for radiation therapy, one of the best actions is to eat a balanced diet. For a cancer patient, this requires some planning. Some days, you will feel normal, while other days you may not be able to get out of bed. Radiation often drains all of your energy. When you do feel normal and healthy, take the opportunity to stock your freezer. Prepare nutritious meals that can be frozen into individual meals and quickly thawed when you simply do not have the energy to cook. Your nutritionist can help you come up with meal ideas that will be easy to keep down, even the day after treatment.

Radiation's main side effect is nausea. Though there are a lucky few who do not experience vomiting or upset stomach, the vast majority of radiation patients become very ill during and after treatment. There are certain foods you can eat to minimize these problems. Stay away from anything too flavorful or too "wet," opting instead for dry choices such as bread and cereal without milk. Add as much protein to your diet as possible and avoid foods with empty calories, such as candy or fast food. You can also help to curb nausea by sucking on peppermint candies, make sure to avoid lying down after eating, and choose foods that are not too hot or too cold.

One of the long-term effects of radiation in cancer patients is weight loss. This is due not only to the radiation itself, but also to the loss in appetite, vomiting, and other digestion problems that result from radiation and the cancer itself. After radiation treatment, it is important to begin eating a very healthy, high-calorie diet in order to get your weight back to normal.

A high-calorie diet doesn't mean you can eat chocolate and fast food all day. Instead, focus on packing as many calories as possible through good foods. Eat a variety of foods from all major food groups, focusing especially on whole grains and protein. In addition, it is important to get the vitamins and minerals you need. If you aren't eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, make sure to take a daily vitamin. Before and after radiation treatment, it is important to limit your salt intake, alcohol consumption, and the amount of caffeine in your food. For more information, please see Nutrition and Cancer.

Your doctor can talk to you about specific foods to eat or avoid when you have cancer and are undergoing radiation therapy. Much of that will depend on your the type of cancer. Make sure to work with your doctor to learn about the best foods for you, both during and after radiation.

Sources:

1. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/content/MBC_6_2X_When_You_Have_Radiation_Therapy.asp?sitearea=MBC
2. http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/eatinghints
3. http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/radiationtherapy/RT_whatis.html

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