Nutrition during chemo

mimivac
mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I was wondering if anyone has any good resources for nutrition during chemotherapy? Any good cookbooks or eating plans? My husband and I are avid cooks and I would like to be as healthy as possible during this period. Any suggestions??

Comments

  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #2
    I like this cookbook
    I bought The Cancer Recovery Healthy Exchanges Cookbook by JoAnna M. Lund. In the beginning she has tips on dealing with chemo related food issues. Lots of info in it besides recipes.
  • Joycelouise
    Joycelouise Member Posts: 482
    #3
    I wish I had paid more
    I wish I had paid more attention to my immune system during chemo. Since chemo is maiming our cells, it makes sense to boost our immune system to attack the damaged cells. I would look in particular for foods that boost the immune system (which probably means lots of veggies, fruits, whole grains, etc). I find that by eating healthy I feel psycologically in control of my health. And chemo can so make us feel out of control! I must admit, though, I ate a few Big Macs (hadn't had a fast food burger in years previously). Part of it is cravings, and maybe part of it is just wanting to do something indulgent for ourselves. I would recommend giving in to both occasionally. love, Joyce
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    Comfort food....
    And anti-oxidents like green tea and blueberries (ask your doctor about this first, tho, some don't want their patients eating these...).

    I had already lost 35 pounds from the rectal cancer, so I was eating whatever sounded good and tasted good, just to not lose any more weight.

    I will say, tho, the Monday after my Wednesday infusion, I craved protein. I would always swing by a Farmer Bros. restaurant and get a Harvest Turkey sandwich-piled high on wheat bread with lettuce and tomatoe and mayo...just a little...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #5
    Marcia527 said:

    I like this cookbook
    I bought The Cancer Recovery Healthy Exchanges Cookbook by JoAnna M. Lund. In the beginning she has tips on dealing with chemo related food issues. Lots of info in it besides recipes.

    Thanks, Marcia
    I just ordered the book from Amazon. It will be nice to have some information and feel just a bit in control.
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #6
    KathiM said:

    Comfort food....
    And anti-oxidents like green tea and blueberries (ask your doctor about this first, tho, some don't want their patients eating these...).

    I had already lost 35 pounds from the rectal cancer, so I was eating whatever sounded good and tasted good, just to not lose any more weight.

    I will say, tho, the Monday after my Wednesday infusion, I craved protein. I would always swing by a Farmer Bros. restaurant and get a Harvest Turkey sandwich-piled high on wheat bread with lettuce and tomatoe and mayo...just a little...

    Hugs, Kathi

    Anything you can
    During Chemo I couldn't eat. For 5 months all I lived off was massive amounts of Milk and Beer. Celery was good but no nutrition there. Everything tasted vile, bread was like Grit, Potatoes and Rice like sand, Meat tasted like poison. I lost a few pounds during this, But nothing like I would have done if not for the milk (and beer) lol Good luck Julia
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #7
    mimivac said:

    Thanks, Marcia
    I just ordered the book from Amazon. It will be nice to have some information and feel just a bit in control.

    three views
    There is an interesting story about when I bought the cookbook. My Mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2001. We didn't know a thing about cancer so two of my sisters and I went to the local book store. We split up inside to find our books. We met at the checkout and compared what we had chosen. One sister picked a technical book on cancer. The other sister picked a cancer survivor story and I chose the cookbook. One problem but three ways to try and help. I just thought that was interesting.

    My sister-in-law also gave me a book on eating for optimum health. It is called The Color Code by James A. Joseph, Ph.D. and Daniel A. Nadeau, M.D. and Anne Underwood. Mainly about fruits and vegetable and how they help your health. A few recipes in the end but it's really not a cookbook.
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #8
    I had the best of intentions
    I had the best of intentions but once into chemo it was basically whatever tasted good. This frequently being cookies, tea and ice cream with chocolate syrup. I rarely ate ice cream before or after tx. To justify my poor eating habits I would say to myself (since adriamycin/epirubicin work by being a pro-oxidant) that I was just helping the chemo out by producing more oxidants. Don't try and figure it out I'm not responsible for my actions or thoughts during chemo :)

    I'm not aware of a specific diet to do during chemo, I think just do the best you can depending on how you feel.

    Good luck to you
    jan
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #9
    phoenixrising said:

    I had the best of intentions
    I had the best of intentions but once into chemo it was basically whatever tasted good. This frequently being cookies, tea and ice cream with chocolate syrup. I rarely ate ice cream before or after tx. To justify my poor eating habits I would say to myself (since adriamycin/epirubicin work by being a pro-oxidant) that I was just helping the chemo out by producing more oxidants. Don't try and figure it out I'm not responsible for my actions or thoughts during chemo :)

    I'm not aware of a specific diet to do during chemo, I think just do the best you can depending on how you feel.

    Good luck to you
    jan

    Chemo diet
    I will probably also just eat what I can instead of trying to stick to a prescribed diet. I just want some kind of guidance though, especially for after chemo, when I plan to really re-vamp my diet and eat super healthy. I think it will make me feel more in control of my body -- something I definitely lack right now.

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