Good nutrition plays a vital role during cancer treatment and must therefore play an important part in any overall treatment plan. The food we eat has a daily impact on our health; increasing our energy levels and supporting our immune system among other benefits.
Eating a healthy, minimally processed, plant-based diet not only benefits your overall health but can also help you manage symptoms during treatment and promote survivorship.
While many individuals with cancer find it difficult to source nutritious, tasty food while experiencing chemo-related side effects, there are oodles of ways to keep your body healthy and your immune system supported by eating the right foods during treatment.
It is common to experience a loss of appetite, taste changes, or other symptoms that make it difficult or less desirable to eat while undergoing treatment for cancer. Most individuals lose weight either as a result of their particular cancer or as a result of the harsh cancer treatments and are worried about how to regain the weight.
The following nutrition resources from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts could go a long way in addressing your concerns. Although they are mainly geared towards adult cancer, we are sure that the recipes, etc. can be easily adapted to suit children with cancer.
Since its founding in 1947, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts has been committed to providing adults and children with cancer with the best treatment available today while developing tomorrow’s cures through cutting-edge research. Read about our history, our breakthroughs, and the resources that help us support the health of our neighborhoods and communities.
The nutrition experts at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center have undergone special training in oncology and nutrition, and base their advice on scientifically sound nutrition research.
Please click on the following links for some very helpful information resources regarding nutrition and cancer, including recipes, reading material, articles, and also some very informative videos:
Recipes
You will find over 164 Recipes for Cancer Nutrition HERE
Nutrition Videos
In this series of short videos, Nutritionist Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, answers questions about nutrition during cancer treatment.
- What Foods Should Patients Avoid During Cancer Treatment?
- Should Cancer Patients Avoid Soy?
- Should Cancer Patients Take Vitamins and Supplements?
- How to Lose Weight During Cancer Treatment
- How to Cope with Taste Changes During Cancer Treatment
- How to Cope with Appetite Loss During Cancer Treatment
- How to Boost Energy During Cancer Treatment
- Essential Items for a Cancer Patient’s Pantry
- Best Diet for Patients Who Have Trouble Chewing or Swallowing
- What Are the Best Foods to Eat Before and After Surgery
Books, Education Materials, and Websites
Recommended Nutrition Education Materials
Recommended Nutrition Websites
Visit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Health Library for more resources
