Maintaining Good Nutrition Through Chemotherapy

Nutrition and Treatment | Protein Boosters | Immune System Boosters | Nutrition and Advanced Cancer

Cancer patients often remark that the treatment for the disease is worse than the disease itself.  Cancer treatments have always caused a host of side effects and though doctors and scientists have continuously researched ways to make the drugs less toxic, most mesothelioma patients still experience a number of unpleasant reactions during treatment.

One of the most difficult and uncomfortable side effects of chemotherapy, traditionally recommended for mesothelioma patients, is nausea and vomiting.  Certain chemo drugs seem to cause more nausea than others, such as cisplatin, which is currently one of the drugs-of-choice for treating mesothelioma. 

Often, individuals who’ve have a history of problems with nausea and vomiting (such as seasickness or morning sickness during pregnancy) suffer more with these side effects than others. 

While nausea and vomiting are certainly uncomfortable, discomfort isn’t the only negative aspect of nausea.  Severe and continual vomiting or nausea most certainly affects one’s nutritional well-being as well.  Malnutrition and serious weight loss may occur, further complicating the patient’s treatment and making it difficult to withstand the chemo or any other type of aggressive chemo treatment.  Good nutrition is essential in fighting cancer.

While researchers are consistently finding new ways to combat nausea, such as through the use of anti-nausea medications or by combining two chemo drugs and administering them at less toxic levels, there are other things you can do to help avoid nausea.  Here are some tips for maintaining as sound a diet as possible during chemotherapy treatment.

When Should I Eat?

• If you’re not feeling poorly, try to eat.  Take advantage of any “good” days by enjoying nutritious meals that will provide important vitamins.
• DON’T try to eat when you’re feeling nauseous.
• Eat small meals several times a day instead of 3 large meals.  The smaller portions can often be more easily tolerated by the body.
• If you are able to eat a meal a few hours before chemo treatment, do so.  Often, those who receive chemotherapy on an empty stomach are more likely to develop nausea.
• If you usually experience nausea during treatment, don’t eat beforehand.

What Should I Eat?

• Certain foods are more likely to cause nausea, even among healthy people. Avoid foods that are heavy in fat, especially fried foods or excessively sweet selections.
• Just as you did when you were a child and had a stomach ache, stick to clear, unsweetened juices like apple or grape juice.  You can also drink “flat” carbonated soft drinks that have lost their fizz.
• Coffee and other caffeinated beverages are ill-advised.
• Don’t drink a lot of liquids with your meals.  They may cause you to feel full and then you’ll be less likely to eat.  Instead, drink small amounts of fluids spread throughout the day.
• Choose items that are at room temperature.  Hot foods often carry a distinct “smell”, which may trigger a reaction that causes nausea.
• Remember to eat and drink slowly. 

Plan Ahead

During the course of your chemotherapy, not every day will be unbearable.  You’ll certainly experience many days when you’re feeling better than others.  Some people are only nauseous immediately after the treatment and then feel okay.  Others are fine after treatment but develop problems a week or two later.

Take advantageous of your healthy days to plan meals that you can freeze.  Then you’ll have some easy-to-prepare meals ready for you on days when you don’t feel like cooking.