So confused about what to eat during chemotherapy

but I remember that carbohydrates including sugar as well as protein and fat form the basics of nutrition. Carbs/sugar are broken down into glucose— a simple form of sugar- to provide energy to the body. Proteins and fat provide necessary building blocks for the body to grow, repair and sustain itself. The brain goes bonkers over sugar- much of the broken down carbs and sugar in the form of glucose-go right to the brain. I guess what I am trying to say is that glucose is important in order to remain healthy and alive. Keep in mind that cancer is not some foreign entity that has invaded your body- even if it seems that way! Cancer is a mutation that occurs when various bodily conditions occur at the same time to create a “perfect storm”. I think genetics play a role in this timing. Cancer is you as much as my cancer is me just as all the cells of my body are me. I am not including all the bacteria that are both inside and outside of our bodies- i.e., on our skin. We are comprised of far more bacteria than human cells. Strange and creepy but true!

I gained 5 lbs with each chemo session because the darn decadron I was given made me an eating machine...and all I craved was carbs.

I never felt sick (took my anti nausea meds on schedule) but no pasta was safe around me!

I think balance is the key to feeling good so maybe adding a few more carbs in (healthy carbs---sweet potatoes, healthy bread, fruit) might help.

as for supplements, my pharmacologist had be do the following (and another friend not at the same hospital or even same year was told the same)

L-Glutamine 

Omega 3

Vitamin B6

calcium

plus a multivitamin

the L-Glutamine is to help prevent neuropathy...

I took them and did fine...no neuropathy and no problems....but check with your doctor first...

There are so many schools of thought about what to eat or not eat during and after treatment that you can make yourself absolutely nuts with it all! We'd like to think we can starve cancer cells by getting the carbs and sugar out our diet, but there needs to be some common sense about that. All carbs are eventually broken down into their simplest sugar as the body processes it to be used as fuel, so it's really not possible to starve cancer cells without starving healthy cells (especially those all important killer T-cells that help fight cancer). Trying to eliminate healthy carbs along with the not-so-healthy deprives the body of nutrients it needs to be in a good place to fight cancer, infection and just function correctly. 

You are absolutely right that chemo drugs are designed to prefer and go after cancer cells when they are in their most active phase. If you are going to go through all that chemo puts you through, you really don't want to be doing anything that interferes with it which includes extreme diets or taking antioxidents until you are done with chemo. 

Chemo is pretty hard on the digestive system, which is why we get all of those drugs before, during, and after chemo to help us get through it. Mouth sores, poor appetite, heartburn, constipation and/or diarrhea are all symptoms of that, so during chemo you may want to consider favoring foods that are on the less acidic side. I think that is why many of us have said that watermelon is really good during chemo. It's highly alkaline. Just google "alkaline food lists" to get lists of foods that may be easier on your digestive system during chemo. You can still eat anything, but just be aware of what agrees or disagrees with you and you may find that it's the acidic foods that can cause discomfort.

After chemo, what you want to focus on most is eating healthier than perhaps you did prior to your diagnosis. Take the time to know what you are putting in your body whether it is food or supplements. The Mediterranean diet, as CQ learned, is the one recommended for post-cancer treatment, so that's a good place to start.

It can take some time, but I also think it makes a lot of sense to eat organic to the extent possible and get all processed foods out, period. It's so scientifically engineered, it's hard to believe it's real food anyway and is the main source of a lot of unneccesary and often hidden sugar. I've found that not buying processed food compensates for the higher cost of organic and that my grocery bills are pretty much comparable before and after making the switch. It does require more thought and effort to eat this way, but it's still way easier than some of the other more restrictive or exoctic diets.

If you plan on taking any supplements after chemo, do not skip getting some professional guidance about what to take and letting all of any doctors you see know about them. Just because they are OTC does not mean that they are without side effects or drug interactions. Because supplements are not regulated like prescriptions are, there is a lot of risk in taking them: you may not be getting the dose the label claims you are, manufacturing conditions can lead to contamination of products, they may not be in a bioavailable form, or combinations may give you extra ingredients you don't want or need to name a few issues. It's the wild west out there in supplement world, so even with professional guidance it would be worth the cost of a subscription to consumerlab.com to get the only unbiased, independently tested information on supplements that I've been able to find. 

Hope this helps you as you go forward!

I took and still take vitamin D, milk thistle, and a calcium chew during chemo and now after. It can be very confusing, but I am a minimalist when it comes to taking anything, even natural stuff, so these have worked for me so far.

As Mabound said, there are so many schools of thought regarding an anti-cancer diet, it can make your head spin.  All I can tell you is what I did which was to continue with what was essentially a Mediterranean diet during chemo.  I did move to 100% organic and ate a lot of vegetables, salads, soups.  I used quinoa a lot because of its protein content and basically l replaced all rice and pasta with that, though occasionally I did have some whole grain gluten free pasta.  Greek yogurt also has higher protein count than "regular."  I did not go "high protein" but I was concerned about weight loss as I am very slender and tried to keep some sort of exercise going as well. I had no appetite issues during chemo, and except for occasional bouts of heartburn (guess I shouldn't have had that falafel) and the almost mandatory rounds of constipation which diminished after my first couple of rounds, my digestive system handled it okay.

I took Vitamin D, B1, B6, B12 and L-Glutamine during chemo with my oncologist's blessing and according to her suggested dosages.  I also took Pro-Greens, a not-too-great tasting powder for a couple of days at the beginning of each chemo cycle.

I have also looked into the ketogenic diet, and it appears that it can be useful for some cancers, but it is a difficult diet to stay on, and to go completely ketogenic is a major change for your body.  You may want to look at paleo as a starting point instead or Mediterranean.  Also, you don't want to be subjecting your body to the "keto flu" while it is already dealing with the (possible) effects of chemo.  If you decide you want to look at that after chemo, I would strongly suggest that you work with a keto "coach" preferably someone who works with cancer patients.  And as far as supplements, definitely work with a qualified naturopath and keep everyone informed as to what you are taking.  I work with a naturopathic oncologist though I did not connect with her until after my first round of chemo and I have found her extremely helpful.

SF73 said:

To everyone who has responded

All your comments are so very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to share what you are eating during/after chemo. I will work with a professional and share what I have learned with everyone. Even though I am trying my best to be on a ketogenic diet it is hard to know if I am doing a good job. We still eat out a ton and hard to know what hidden carbs/sugar I am getting through those meals. Ordered the ketone meter today.  Maybe that will provide a bit more info. Today I will also see my PCP and ask for a few tests (IGF-1 insulin growth factor, lipid panel, HbA1c, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D levels) Hopefully she will prescribe me Metformin. Last night I read that Megestrol has a tendency to increase blood glucose levels. I am currently taking 160 mg/day at the moment. Even if I don't have any of the insulin resistance issues, maybe it is good to add Metformin to the mix just so that it can balance Megestrol out. 

You might want to check out Dr. Nasha Winters' book "A Metabolic Approach to Cancer."  Fascinating book with a lot of good information about ketogenic diets as well as cancer in general.

Until about a year ago, I never had any problem falling asleep quickly and staying asleep.  However, roughly a year ago, I began waking up 2-3 hours after falling asleep and had trouble getting back to sleep.  I now have a "routine" and maybe one or two things can help you too.  I make myself a cup of chamomile tea an hour or so before bedtime.  A very small dosage 2.5-3mg of melatonin about 30 minutes before bedtime.  I bought myself an infuser and lavender oil makes my bedroom smell lovely at night.  I listen to Tibetan bowls as I drift off.  I recently added cannabis to the routine and that helps a lot.  Now, if I do wake up, it is usually only for a short period of time and then I am back to sleep for the rest of the night.

Myself, I use Ativan, and have for years, ever since perimenopause blew my sleep patterns to bits. Desperate times, desparate measures, etc...but I love the idea of the Tibetan bowls, I may add that to my chemical repertoire. 

this is an interesting topic.  A few months before my cancer diagnosis i seperatrd from my husband ( hes mybex husband now) and was going to therapy through the process.  My therapist would ask how my sleep was. I always said it was good and it was.  When i got my cancer diagnosis i was still sleeping (before hysterectomy) until my cancer started pushing on my blatter.  I woke up maney times to gothe bathroom for a couple of weeks. Then surgery comes around and then being told i had to do chemo.  It shook my world and have not been able to sleep good since.  Now i take my vitumins at night and am thirsty and and get up at least once a night.  Most of the time i go right back. To sleep but not always.  One day im hoping to get back to where i was.

I think it all boils down to what you and your doctors and your onco dietitian say about your case, and how YOU feel. Even if it's a placebo, as some might think, if it contributes to your state of mind, it may help your attitude. I was green-lighted for black seed oil (though I will need to temporarily discontinue that two weeks before surgery), Vitamin B-12, non-acidic Vitamin C and probiotics. Others ... not so much. I also was not told to discontinue my calcium pills, Vitamin D, fish oil (for my eyes ... I have Graves) and multi-vitamin.

The diet onco advised against eating sushi (naturally), salads in restaurants, etc. Focus more on fruits and veggies at home. If you're not a big fruit eater (looks guilty), work with applesauce and bananas at first. Cooked veggies are great, as are raw ones you thoroughly wash at home. You cannot trust people at restaurants with raw/rare food, meat or fish. Carbs and sugar are OK, but moderation is really, really key ... no eating a whole box of See's chocolates . Exercise is REALLY important. Even if all you can manage is to walk down your driveway, get up!

I WAS appalled to see so many empty-calorie snacks offered for chemo patients. YOWZA. I like snacking, but I couldn't find even unsalted pretzels or plain almonds.

One way or another, I think that re-focusing on your diet and trying to correct a flaw or two or three is a must. Chemo drains your body of so much, and a stronger body may mean a better healing time. I'm no nutritionist or anything, but ....