Nutrition

For people with cancer and cancer survivors — especially those whose immune systems are weakened from treatment — buying healthy food during the pandemic has added additional challenges, not to mention stress.

When it comes to diet and cancer, the Rogel Cancer Center dietitians help patients simplify. Rather than feeling stressed about choosing the wrong food or drink, remember that moderation is the key.

University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center researcher Suzanna Zick, N.D., MPH, partnered with researchers in California to review which popular diets best support a patient’s goals of improving survival and preventing recurrence. They examined five diets: the alkaline, Paleolithic, ketogenic, vegan/vegetarian and macrobiotic.

After treatment for breast cancer, Michelle Peres felt tired, unhealthy and needed help to get back to feeling fit. She turned to the Cancer Nutrition Program for guidance. Over the next two years, Michelle lost 30 pounds, regained her stamina and improved her balance.

If you are having major abdominal surgery including gynecologic, urologic or colorectal surgery, you may have some issues with eating afterward. Problems with digestion can arise due to the inflammatory response to intestinal manipulation and trauma during surgery. This may lead to more gas production when eating, which can be painful if you are unable to pass it or at the very least embarrassing if you can. In addition, some people can become nauseous or have diarrhea shortly after meals. This is just a sign that your stomach is feeling stressed with the burden of your meal and temporary adjustments will need to be made to ease that burden.

When cancer treatment takes the pleasure out of eating food, we turn to the importance of fueling our bodies during a time it needs it most. Different types of food provide different nutrients our bodies need. For example, protein is an essential nutrient for healing tissue and maintaining the immune system, as well as for tissue growth. It helps you maintain muscle mass, a factor that leads to healing more quickly. Adding calories from carbohydrates and fat gives you strength to power through treatment and ensures that protein is best used by the body.

Every time you turn on the news, browse the web or reach for a magazine, there is a new study about what foods are good (or bad) for your health. Many are focused on foods that prevent cancer, cause cancer or fuel cancer. It is easy to become confused. Striving for the perfect anti-cancer diet can be stressful. We say SIMPLIFY. Fueling your body during cancer treatment is crucial, but not complex. And, no single food is going to dramatically change your path to wellness

The holidays bring to mind tables covered with rich foods, desserts and good company. It may also bring worry about derailing your healthy eating plan but you can have your holiday feast and eat it too – without guilt – if you follow five basic principles.

It’s important to include enough carbohydrates, protein and fat in your meals to maintain weight during treatments because too much weight loss can actually slow down/delay treatment. But, side effects of treatment, including loss of appetite, can make it challenging to eat enough food to get the calories your body needs.