Educating cancer patients on the benefits of a healthy diet for cancer management and survivorship is especially important at the onset of diagnosis and treatment. Registered dietitians specialize in oncology-specific nutrition practices. As complementary integrative therapists, the dietitians comprehensively assess an individual’s needs and offer appropriate recommendations to promote disease management during and post-cancer treatment.
Nutrition is an important component to cancer treatment and prevention. During treatment, optimal nutrition can help improve strength and increase energy as well as preserve muscle mass. Some of a cancer patient’s identified nutrition management issues might include nausea, vomiting, suboptimal appetite, bowel irregularities, malnutrition, and/or general consultation on diet and exercise. Research has been done to determine how food choices can help a cancer patient’s chances to improve survival. The dietitians are specially trained in providing individualized nutritional support through all stages of illness, treatment and beyond, supporting each patient and family member with a goal of attaining optimal quality of life for all.
Food medicine is the oldest type of medicine. Years ago, humans ate things and noticed that some foods made them feel better, some foods made them worse; some foods caused diarrhea, others helped it, etc. Everything has energetic properties; cooling, warming, moistening, drying, tonifying, sedating, etc. In Asia, physicians have studied and documented the properties of most organic substances; both alone and in combination with other ingredients. When properly prescribed, herbs can bring the body back into balance. Many western drugs are synthesized from natural sources. Herbs can be more natural and have fewer side effects than drugs, but they should not be taken without proper knowledge.
The dietitian will obtain a detailed diet history. Using this information, realistic meal plans will be formulated to incorporate the right foods to achieve nutritional goals while a patient is in treatment. Specific foods and recipes may be suggested to increase intake. Suggestions for meals and snacks will be given for foods that may be better tolerated. Conversely, after treatment, weight maintenance may be the targeted objective. Again, the dietitian together with the patient will create goals to help maintain or lose weight and lower the risk of future recurrence. Additional benefits can include improved mood, reduced stress level, more energy, and less pain. In conjunction with medical treatment, nutrition management is an instrumental component of enhancing a cancer patient’s life, especially when paired with daily fitness activity.
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