Mesothelioma Cancer Fighting Foods & Recipes

Cancer-Fighting Foods

Cancer-fighting foods that boost your immune system include protein, fruits and vegetables. Healthy proteins consist of fish, meat, nuts and soy. Healthy fruits and vegetables include berries, grapes, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli and carrots.

All mesothelioma patients can benefit from cancer-fighting foods, but not for the reason many people believe. The idea that foods fight cancer may seem like nutrients kill tumor cells, similar to how mesothelioma treatment works.

Expert Insight

There is limited evidence that shows vitamin D may have anti-cancer effects. However, a recent study out of Italy suggests that vitamin D may play an important anti-cancer role in malignant pleural mesothelioma. While further studies need to be conducted, preliminary findings suggest it may complement mesothelioma treatments such as chemotherapy.

Tejal Parekh , board certified specialist in oncology nutrition and a licensed dietitian

However, this isn’t how nutrition affects the body. Instead, healthy foods boost your body’s natural ability to fight cancer. They support immune function and promote healing and recovery. This allows you to stay on track with your treatment schedule and medication doses. Getting all your planned therapy is critical to achieving optimal tumor control.

Proteins: Chicken, Fish, Dairy, Meat, Eggs and More

Protein is among the most important nutrients for a mesothelioma patient. Excellent protein-rich options include chicken, fish, dairy, meat, eggs and beans.

Fish are also a good source of vitamin D, which is an important vitamin mesothelioma patients often lack. A 2021 clinical research study found that patients with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma had lower vitamin D levels than their healthy counterparts.

Regardless of your usual weight — whether thin, average or overweight — your body needs extra protein after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Even if you feel you have “room to spare” and some extra body weight, you should do everything you can to avoid losing weight during treatment.

Tips to Add Protein to Your Diet

Maintaining weight and eating plenty of protein during treatment is the best way to preserve muscle and support immune cell repair and regeneration.

Most cancer patients should aim to eat 0.65 to 0.75 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day. For example, a person who weighs 175 pounds should try to eat 114 to 131 grams of protein daily.

Best Fruits and Vegetables for Fighting Mesothelioma Cancer

Some of the best fruits and vegetables for people with mesothelioma include dark berries, brightly colored stone fruit, purple and white potatoes, orange sweet potatoes, yellow yams and orange and yellow squash.

The best vegetables for cancer patients include yellow, white, orange and purple root vegetables. Purple, red and blue fruit, including berries and stone fruit, are among the most potent cancer-fighting foods in the diet. Those bright colors signal the presence of antioxidants and other cancer-fighting nutrients.

Beneficial Vegetables for a Mesothelioma Diet

Colorful plant foods are among the top cancer-fighting items in a diet. This includes all vegetables, but for people with mesothelioma, it’s helpful to include calorie-rich options.

Many people in mesothelioma treatment struggle to get enough to eat. Good nutrition helps the body weather difficult cancer therapy and fuels recovery. For this reason, focus on vitamin- and mineral-rich options that also provide energy.

Beneficial Fruit for a Mesothelioma Diet

Combining fruit with some protein and fat offers the body calories, vitamins and minerals needed during cancer therapy. These important substances can support healing and recovery during and after mesothelioma treatment. Try to include nutrient-rich fruit — fresh or frozen — in your cancer-fighting food plan.

Some of these items are only fresh for a few weeks a year. Frozen fruit retains the same nutrients as fresh, and may be less expensive and easier to find.

Thoroughly wash produce under running water. Using soap is not recommended. Wash hands for 20 seconds with plain soap and running water immediately after handling unwashed produce. Never use the same cutting board for produce, meat and seafood, and washboards immediately after use.

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Foods Mesothelioma Patients Should Avoid

People with mesothelioma may want to avoid certain foods and beverages during treatment to steer clear of potential toxins and ensure their body is nourished properly.

For example, patients should limit or cut out alcohol during treatment because it damages human cells and their DNA, and may negatively interact with certain medications. Cancer patients should also focus on eating nutritious foods and avoiding sugary foods empty of nutrients.

For those who want to lower their risk of other cancers, avoiding red and processed meats will reduce the risk of stomach and colorectal cancer. Examples of processed meats include ham, bacon, sausage and hot dogs.

Cancer-Fighting Recipes for a Healthy Diet

Consider the following nutritious recipes for a healthy diet during and after cancer treatment. This collection of recipes includes satisfying protein and delicious fruits and vegetables.

High-Protein Recipe

Perfect Pan-Seared, Oven-Roasted Roast Chicken Thighs

Servings: 3

Herbs and spices can help reduce metallic and unpleasant tastes that can occur during chemotherapy. Try fresh or dried rosemary, oregano, basil or thyme. Adding a bit of sweetness with a light brushing of honey or maple syrup at the end of cooking also may improve flavor for mesothelioma patients.

Nutrition information per serving: 370 calories; 36 g protein; 25 g fat; 0 g carbohydrates

Root Vegetables Recipe

Roasted Potatoes, Yams and Squash

Servings: 5

Nutrition information per serving: 177 calories; 3 g protein; 8 g fat; 23 g carbohydrates

If you enjoy grilling, you may brush whole potatoes in olive oil, sprinkle with herbs and salt, wrap in foil and place on the grill for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Open foil carefully, using tongs, to avoid contact with escaping steam. Poke potatoes with a fork to determine if they are cooked through. If not, cook to desired doneness, rewrap and return to grill for another few minutes.

Fruit Smoothie Recipe

Berry-Cherry, High-Protein Smoothie

Servings: 1

Nutrition information per serving: 485 calories; 29 g protein; 9 g fat; 72 g carbohydrates

If you have been advised to avoid frozen and cold foods during treatment, add berries to other foods such as oatmeal or cereal. If things taste too sweet, try substituting frozen cranberries with blueberries.

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Treat Food Like Medicine

Some people struggle to eat enough during cancer treatment. If this is a problem for you, treat food like medication.

You may not feel hungry, but setting a timer to take a few bites or sips of food every hour can help you squeeze more calories and protein into your day. Do this for all the foods you can eat during cancer care.

Expert Insight

My diet is high protein, high calorie and low fiber. I get to eat everything you’re not supposed to eat – lots of pasta, lots of carbs and lots of donuts. But there are certain things I can’t have. I can’t drink milk. I can’t drink pop. I can’t drink sugary juices.

Raeleen Minchuk Prokopetz , peritoneal mesothelioma survivor

If you are losing weight after a mesothelioma diagnosis, ask your medical team to refer you to a cancer dietitian. This person can help you design a plan to meet your nutrition needs before, during and after treatment.

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