When you are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer , we know that treating it is not an easy journey. Your food is your best friend who can help you stay strong and healthy during this time. A balanced, nutritious diet gives your body the energy it needs, helps you maintain a healthy weight, helps you recover faster after cancer treatment , and can also help reduce the risk of cancer coming back. So let's talk about this today.
What is a healthy diet?
Simply put, a healthy diet is one that consists of a variety of foods. This provides your body with exactly the nutrients it needs. Your daily diet should include protein, fat (the good kind), carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals , and fluids to keep you hydrated.
Protein – for body repair
Protein is like fuel that provides energy for our body to grow and perform daily tasks. Protein is especially important for repairing cells and tissues damaged by cancer treatment, and for keeping your immune system strong . Adding some protein to your diet during treatment can help protect you from various infections and help you recover quickly after treatment.
Add protein-rich foods like these to your diet:
- Meat, fish, chicken or eggs
- Legumes like lentils, chickpeas, and green beans
- Peanuts and other nuts
- Peanut butter
- Low-fat milk and dairy foods
- Soy-based products such as tofu
Fats – Let's understand the good and the bad
Fat is what our body uses to store energy. It also helps the body absorb certain nutrients. But we should choose heart-healthy, unsaturated fats . For example, things like olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, and fish oil. It is better to reduce saturated fats like butter and animal fats. Also, stay away from trans fats found in processed foods like biscuits and cakes completely. Because they can increase the level of bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) in our body.
Carbohydrates – the main source of energy
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for our bodies. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, rice, and potatoes are healthy foods that contain carbohydrates. However, toffee, cakes, and other sweet treats contain unhealthy carbohydrates that come from sugar. They are high in fat and low in other nutrients.
Fiber-rich carbohydrates, such as vegetables and whole grains, have been found to be particularly beneficial for women with hormone-dependent breast cancer. Aim for about 30 grams of fiber per day.
Vitamins and Minerals
These help our body to function properly. Antioxidants like vitamins C, A, and E and minerals like selenium or zinc protect our healthy cells from damage. So, add a rainbow of colorful vegetables and fruits to your diet. Vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower contain nutrients called phytochemicals . Studies have shown that these are very good for women with breast cancer. They can stop the spread of cancer cells and help them die faster.
Is soy good or bad? – This is a question that many people have.
This is a big debate among many people. The simple answer is that if you have breast cancer, it is perfectly safe and healthy to eat soy in moderation. Soy is a good source of protein and is also good for the heart. In addition, it contains compounds called isoflavones . These may also protect the body from cancer.
Some people are concerned because some studies in mice have shown that isoflavones in soy can increase the risk of breast cancer by acting like the hormone estrogen in the body. High estrogen levels are linked to some types of breast cancer.
But the important thing to understand here is that soy does not contain the actual hormone estrogen. And the results of animal studies do not always translate to humans. Studies in humans have shown that soy does not increase the risk of breast cancer, or actually reduces it. Researchers believe that in the human body, isoflavones block the action of the hormone estrogen in the blood.
Tofu, tempeh, soymilk, and edamame are popular soy foods.
Do you need to be concerned about weight gain?
Yes, absolutely. It's important to get enough calories to keep you going during treatment. But sometimes treatments like chemotherapy can cause you to gain some weight due to fluid retention. More than half of women with breast cancer gain weight during treatment.
The most important thing is that if your weight is higher than normal after breast cancer treatment, you are at higher risk of the cancer coming back. Therefore, it is very important to control your weight through a healthy, balanced diet and exercise.
Food can help with the side effects of treatment
Chemotherapy and radiation treatments can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, mouth sores, and sore throat. These can make it difficult for you to eat and drink. But there are solutions for those too.
Look at the table below. This will give you an idea.
| Side effect/problem | Try these things. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty eating normally | Instead of three large meals, eat several small meals (5-6) a day. |
| Loss of taste/smell | Use natural spices and herbs like curry, turmeric, and cinnamon to flavor your food. Choose mild, non-spicy foods. |
| Mouth or throat sores | Eat soft foods that are easy to swallow, such as mashed potatoes, pudding, yogurt, and soup. |
| Nausea and stomach discomfort | Drink some ginger tea. Avoid spicy and oily foods. |
| Diarrhea | Reduce high-fiber foods (grains, bran) and dairy foods. |
| Constipation | Eat more fiber-rich foods and drink plenty of fluids, including water, throughout the day. |
Be careful about alcohol and salt consumption.
Reduce your alcohol intake. It's best to stop drinking altogether if possible. Studies show that women who drink 3-6 drinks a week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer. Also, alcohol can put extra strain on your liver, as it makes it harder for your body to process chemotherapy drugs. If you have mouth ulcers, alcohol can make them worse.
Foods high in salt (pickles, salted meat/fish) can increase blood pressure, so limit them as well.
Finally, drink plenty of water . Drink about 2-3 liters of fluids a day. Water is essential for the cells in our body to function. Vomiting and diarrhea caused by treatment can cause a lot of water to be lost from the body and lead to dehydration. This can be dangerous. So, always have water, milk, soup, and jelly with you.
Take-Home Message
- A balanced, nutritious diet is your best friend during breast cancer treatment. It will give you strength and healing.
- Get used to a diet rich in protein, heart-healthy fats, fiber-rich carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
- Don't be afraid to eat soy. It is safe and beneficial in moderate amounts.
- Manage the side effects of treatment and adjust your diet accordingly.
- Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Avoid alcohol and excessive salt intake.
- Be sure to talk to your doctor about any of these things, any changes you need to make to your diet, or any problems you may be having.
Breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, cancer diet, cancer nutrition, chemotherapy diet , radiation diet, cancer treatment, healthy diet
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න