Important To Eat During Cancer Treatment
Dt. MALLIKA GARG (Clinical Dietician, M.Sc. in Food & Nutrition) Why Is It Important To Eat During Cancer treatment? Cancer directly affects the nutritional status by changing the body's metabolism and causing the patient to loose appetite. Body increases energy use,which means the patient needs more calories to maintain the current weight and lean body mass. Cancer associated loss of appetite is probably the result of physical changes but may also be due to a psychological response to the disease. People who eat well,including diets high in proteins and calories,are able to tolerate surgery, chemotherapy and radiation better. People with cancer frequently require a high calorie diet to prevent weight loss. They may also need a diet that is high in protein to prevent muscle wasting. Patients with good eating habits have fewer infections and are able to recuperate better. Nutrition before treatment Preparing for treatment is ve...