5 Foods You Should Eat During Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatments can take a harsh toll on your body, and keeping your strength up isn’t easy. Getting plenty of sleep, exercising regularly, and eating well are all important parts of taking care of yourself during cancer treatment.

But those things are easier said than done. Eating can be especially difficult, as cancer treatment side effects can make it hard to chew, swallow, and keep down food. When you’re going through cancer treatment, focus on eating nutritious, calorie-dense foods like some of these.

Eggs

Eggs are packed with protein, making them an excellent choice for people going through cancer treatment. One egg contains seven grams of protein, about as much as an ounce of cheese, fish, poultry, or beef. Eggs also contain selenium, a mineral that could ease the side effects of chemotherapy and boost your immune system during cancer treatment. The vitamins D and E in eggs may protect your body from some of the toxic effects of chemotherapy, and may combat feelings of numbness in the hands and feet that occur due to chemotherapy.

Plus, eggs are soft and easy to chew and swallow. That’s a bonus if you’re struggling with a sore mouth and throat due to cancer treatment.

Yogurt

Another easy-to-swallow food, yogurt, contains plenty of protein and calcium for strong bones, which is especially important for women going through treatment for reproductive cancers. Just make sure you choose live-culture yogurt, since it’s these probiotics that are largely responsible for helping you stay healthy during cancer treatment. Probiotics help prevent constipation and diarrhea by supporting an appropriate balance of intestinal flora.

Broth

It’s always important to stay hydrated, but it’s even more important to do so when you’re going through cancer treatment and experiencing side effects like vomiting and diarrhea. Whether it’s beef, chicken, or vegetable broth, the salty liquid will help keep your body’s electrolytes in balance. Even a clear miso soup will do. These foods may also contain other vitamins and minerals that can help you stay healthy.

Of course, doctors recommend consuming eight to 12 cups of liquid a day to prevent dehydration during cancer treatment, and that’s a lot of broth. Popsicles, water, pasteurized juice, and sports drinks are also good ways to say hydrated during cancer treatment.

Legumes and Beans

Legumes and beans are among the most nutritious foods you can eat during cancer treatment. They’re rich in B vitamins and protein, which your body needs for everything from cell repair to immunity and healing. Beans and legumes are also high in fiber, which can help protect you from diarrhea or constipation. Peas and lentils are two of the best choices.

Vegetables and Fruits

When you’re going through cancer treatment, doctors advise filling up at least half of your plate with vegetables and fruits. Leafy green vegetables are a particularly good choice, since they’re rich in vitamins A, E, and K. They also contain a lot of iron, to keep your blood healthy. Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, contain antioxidant compounds that may stop cancer cells from growing. In one study by the National Cancer Institute, eating one to two cups of cruciferous vegetables a day caused participants to experience a 22 percent decrease in oxidative cellular damage caused by free radicals. Get more vegetables and fruits in your diet by snacking on them during the day.

Good nutrition is a vital part of cancer treatment, since it can help your body stay strong. The right foods may even fight the cancer itself. The better you’re able to eat, the more strength and energy you’ll have to draw from throughout the course of your treatment.