7 Tips to Nourish Your Body During Chemo

Good nutrition is important, especially if you have cancer. The challenge for many is that chemotherapy can wreak havoc on your ability to eat. Common side effects of chemo include mouth sores, nausea and loss of appetite. Chemo can also temporarily damage taste buds causing foods to taste metallic or cardboard-like. The inability to eat, for whatever reason, can lead to malnutrition. When cancer patients become malnourished, they can feel weak or tired and may be unable to receive the treatments they need to get better. Follow these tips to give your body the nutrition it needs to stay strong and fight the cancer: 1. See A Dentist Chemotherapy can cause changes in the lining of the mouth and reduce saliva production, leading to painful mouth sores and infections. It can also exacerbate any existing dental problems you had prior to cancer treatment. Visit your dentist before treatment begins (if possible) and throughout treatment to reduce the severity and frequency of these complications. If you get mouth sores, try to eat blended soups and smoothies. Avoid any strong spices like ginger and red pepper flakes. 2. Get Your Protein On Chemotherapy often depletes white blood cell counts, making cancer patients more prone to infection. Eating protein-rich foods will give your body the fuel it needs to build up its immune system. Try making this delicious, protein-rich Moroccan Chicken recipe. Don't forget there are other sources of protein besides m...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news