Today, let's talk about the diet for cancer patients. What can cancer patients eat, and what should they avoid?

One,

Cancer patients have an overarching dietary principle: nutrition should be abundant and balanced.

Most cancer patients face issues of malnutrition, which can be attributed to several factors. The first is tumor consumption, as tumor growth requires substantial nutrients, meaning much of the nutrition cancer patients consume is utilized by the tumor. The second is the impact of treatment; therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy often impair digestive function, leading to inadequate nutrient absorption. The third is insufficient intake; many patients experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and other issues that result in inadequate food consumption.

Given that they eat little to begin with, their absorption is poor, and the small amount of nutrition absorbed is largely consumed by the tumor, most cancer patients are malnourished.

How can rich and balanced nutrition be achieved?

First, it's essential to ensure adequate intake, meaning patients should eat and drink more. Many patients complain of nausea and vomiting, thinking, "Why eat if it’s just going to come back up?" This mindset is actually incorrect. Even if you vomit after eating, some nutrients are still absorbed. If you don’t eat at all, you’ll get no nutrition whatsoever, so it’s important to keep eating.

Second, it's advisable to diversify the diet. Some people think that when they’re sick, they must avoid this or that food—but then where will your nutrition come from? If you only eat fruits and vegetables, your protein intake will be insufficient; if you only eat meat, your vitamin intake will be lacking. Therefore, a balanced diet with a mix of meat and vegetables is key. All kinds of vegetables, fruits, and meats can be eaten—the more variety, the more comprehensive the nutrition.

Some friends may say, "I’m vegetarian and don’t eat meat, so what should I do?" There are plenty of high-protein plant-based foods. For example, soy protein is a high-quality protein. Adding tofu when eating cabbage, including tofu skin in cold dishes, or having soy milk, milk, or an egg in the morning can all effectively supplement protein.

Lastly, food should be easy to digest.

Since the digestive function is poor, we can prepare food to be softer and more tender, or even make it into soups, porridges, liquid foods, semi-liquid foods, etc. This makes it easier to digest and reduces the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

Additionally, during meals, we can eat smaller amounts more frequently—eating a little less each time but having more meals throughout the day.

Two

While it is important for cancer patients to have a comprehensive and rich diet, it does not mean they can eat anything. Some foods should still be consumed sparingly. Which foods should be limited?

These are foods that may promote the occurrence and progression of cancer. We believe these foods may contain a certain amount of carcinogenic substances. The common categories include:

First, grilled and deep-fried foods. When food is deep-fried at high temperatures, it produces nitrosamines, commonly known as nitrites, which are recognized carcinogens. Additionally, acrylamide is generated, a toxic substance that, although consumed in small amounts each time, can accumulate in the body. Once it reaches a certain level, it can trigger diseases, primarily affecting the nervous and reproductive systems.

Second, pickled foods, such as salted vegetables, sauerkraut, salted fish, and sausages. Due to their high salt content, the longer they are pickled, the more likely they are to produce nitrosamines. Some regions in China have experienced high incidences of cancer, and research has found this to be related to the dietary habits of the local population, especially the consumption of pickled foods. For example, the high incidence of esophageal cancer in Lin County, Henan Province, was linked to the local preference for sauerkraut. After this custom was changed, the incidence of esophageal cancer significantly decreased.

Third, smoked foods, such as smoked meat, smoked sausages, and smoked fish. These are prepared using smoke from the incomplete combustion of fuel. During the smoking process, benzopyrene is easily produced, which is a potent carcinogen.

Fourth is moldy food. We often say not to eat overnight dishes because we are afraid the food will become moldy. When food is stored for too long, it is prone to mold growth. Moldy food often contains Aspergillus flavus, which produces aflatoxin—this is also a carcinogen. In the past, we used water jars to store water. In some regions where temperatures are higher and the climate is more humid, mold could easily grow, leading to water contamination. Nowadays, most of us use tap water, so this phenomenon no longer exists. However, in the past when resources were scarce, even if food became moldy, people were reluctant to throw it away. It's best not to do this now. If food has been stored for too long or has become moldy, it should be discarded.

Among the four types of food mentioned earlier, some have very unique and delicious flavors. However, due to the associated health risks, even ordinary people are advised not to consume them excessively. As cancer patients, it is especially important to be cautious. Tasting them is fine, but they should definitely be eaten sparingly.

Three

In addition to the dietary taboos mentioned above, there are some other points to keep in mind.

First, the diet should be as light as possible. Light doesn't mean not eating meat; it refers to having a mild taste. Foods with overly strong flavors, such as those that are too salty, too spicy, too sweet, or too sour, should be avoided. Overly flavorful foods can easily affect digestive function, and they typically contain excessive amounts of oil, salt, sugar, chili, etc., which are detrimental to our health. Some say bland food lacks appetite, but being light doesn’t mean completely omitting salt or chili; it just means using them sparingly. Additionally, too many seasonings can mask the natural taste of the food. For example, cabbage, which we commonly eat, has a natural fresh aroma and can be delicious when simply stir-fried.

Second, try to eat with family whenever possible. Why is that? Does eating require companionship? Because cancer patients often have poor appetites. When eating alone, they might just take a couple of bites and finish quickly. However, eating with family is different. With the encouragement of family members, their appetite may improve, and they’ll feel that eating isn’t just something to rush through, leading them to eat more.

Lastly, it’s important to talk about drinking water. Staying hydrated is crucial, as drinking more water can promote metabolism and help the body eliminate waste and toxins promptly. For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, drinking more water can aid in the elimination of chemotherapy toxins, thereby reducing the toxic side effects of chemotherapy.

The average daily water requirement for a normal person is approximately 2000-3000 milliliters. Part of this can be obtained from food, while the remaining amount needs to be consumed through drinking—about 1500-2000 milliliters per day. Typically, the insulated cups we use hold 400-500 milliliters, meaning we need to drink around four or five cups a day. #Cancer# #Health# #DailyMedicalScience#