Nutrition during cancer treatment and beyond
EATING a wholesome, home-made, predominantly plant-based diet gives the body adequate nourishment that can help it heal in the best way it knows how.
This is according to registered dietitian and Virgin Active’s expert on nutrition, Kim Hofmann, who said that various forms of cancer treatment often came with side effects that affected one’s ability to eat, due to nausea, loss of appetite and mouth sores – all of which may lead to additional weight loss.
She said she was using Breast Cancer Awareness Month to delve into how nutrition may help the healing process.
Virgin Active and Independent Media have partnered this October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, bringing 120 brave breast cancer survivors for fun-filled outdoor experiences at four key locations across South Africa, as well as a series of informative and educational content pieces that will be shared through INL’S channels in October.
Hofmann said that wherever possible, it was advisable to eat wholesome, home-made foods that were not excessively processed and did not contain large amounts of salt, sugar or preservatives.
“Try home-made versions of hummus, fava bean dip, guacamole, nut butters and unflavoured cottage cheeses – even if it means scraping a tiny bit on to a cracker or toast to begin with, and building from there”.
She said eating a predominantly plant-based diet that incorporated small amounts of white meats may be easier for the stomach to digest than large amounts of red meat.
“Fruit, vegetables and legumes – such as beans, chickpeas and lentils – should be the largest consumed food group during this time. Incorporate wholesome foods into your diet, such as wholegrain carbohydrates – choose brown, whole-wheat, wholegrain, seeded or rye bread over white bread, as it will keep you fuller for longer and offer your body more nutrition,” said Hoffman.
She said that having someone else prepare the food for you, or having it delivered were also options.
“When you experience nausea, the smell of food may make the sensation worse, which is why having food prepared for you or delivered is recommended to help maintain your intake. If you have to prepare food yourself, open the kitchen windows and door while you do so. Take a step outside or sit near an open window, if you feel the smell of food is too overpowering.”
She said that eating small meals regularly throughout the day that were not too hot, cold or spicy, but just right, was important, when eating large meals or the same portions you ate before treatment began may be difficult.
“Eat smaller meals throughout the day, instead of forcing yourself to eat larger portions than you can comfortably manage in a single sitting. This may help if you experience a loss of appetite. Snacking between meals may also help.
“Drinking fluids during meals or all at once may prove hard. Having a bottle of still/sparkling water or herbal tea close by will help you take small sips when you’re thirsty. Green tea has been proven to have positive effects during the healing and recovery process.”