Eating healthy helps you tolerate the cancer treatment and its side effects better.
To ensure a good nutritional status, a varied and balanced diet must be followed. Some recommendations:
- Divide your food into at least 5 meals, per day, in small and varied portions. Do not worry if there is a time when you eat little, keep trying.
- Consume 5 servings of fruit and vegetables daily, better if they are in season.
- And 2 or 3 servings of dairy products, such as yogurt, milk or cheese.
- Protein intake is especially important during cancer treatment. Try to incorporate them every day both at lunch and dinner.
- It can be in the form of eggs, meat, fish or vegetable proteins, such as soy. You should also know that if you combine cereals with pulses, for example rice with lentils, you will have a protein as nutritious as meat or fish.
- On the other hand, do not forget the daily energy intake in the form of pulses, potatoes or cereals in the form of rice, bread or pasta, preferably whole grain.
- It is essential that you are well hydrated. Drink about two litres every day. You can drink water, herbal teas, juices or broths.
- When cooking, wash food thoroughly. Give priority to cooking that is easier to digest, such as boiled, steamed, grilled, baked or microwaved dishes.
- Everything you prepare can be seasoned with the star product: virgin olive oil.
- A good trick that can be very useful is to have prepared dishes in the fridge for those days when you are less hungry or have less energy.
- It is essential to reduce the intake of everything that does not nourish you. Limit ultra-processed foods, rich in added sugars, salt and saturated fats.
- And avoid alcohol and tobacco consumption.
It will make you feel better to do moderate physical exercise every day. It will help you to not lose muscle mass. And it is better if you practice it in company, since you will be able to share the feelings that surface.
All together, to improve tolerance to treatments, to stay strong, to reduce fatigue; to improve the quality of life as much as possible.As each person is different, if you have any doubts, consult your specialist.
Listen to the podcast
Podcast: Download