Staving off Stomach Woes When Treating Cancer

Cancer. It’s a beast all on its own, but to make matters worse, treatments such as chemotherapy can sometimes exacerbate symptoms such as nausea or stomach pain. It can be difficult to navigate a diet that works for you or a loved one when dealing with cancer. Luckily, we have plenty of suggestions for foods and recipes that are easy on the stomach and full of nutrition to help boost your immune system during this difficult time. 

Keep red meat to a minimum. The American Cancer Society has linked the overconsumption of red and processed meats to colorectal, stomach, and prostate cancers. They also recommend survivors of cancer and those still going through treatment stick to a diet low in red meat. 

If you’re looking for substitutes in your diet, fish and poultry are excellent options. If you’re looking to remove meat from your diet entirely, eggs, beans, soy products and nuts are good alternate sources of protein. 

Maximize your fruits and veggies intake. You should already be mixing plenty of fruits and vegetables into your diet, but it’s even more critical for patients with cancer that they get the healthy stuff in their bodies. In fact, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts contain powerful phytochemicals that are believed to fight cancer. 

Maintain your appetite as much as you can. Unfortunately, loss of appetite is one of many side effects that can come with cancer treatment. But there are plenty of ways to make sure you’re still getting proper nutrition throughout the day, even if it’s just in smaller doses. 

Taking care of yourself and your body while dealing with cancer can be tricky, but making sure you’re putting quality food in your body through a stomach-friendly diet will give you the necessary fuel you need to continue your fight.