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DIETARY COMPLICATIONS OF CHEMOTHERAPY via Metro Chemotherapeutic drugs can often cause side effects, some of which discourage eating. Although anticancer drugs work in different ways, most of them are effective by keeping fast-growing cancer cells from reproducing. Unfortunately, the cells of the digestive tract are also fast-growing and, therefore, are often affected by the drugs as well. As a result, it is not uncommon to notice dietary complications such as nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, diarrhea, loss of, or change in, taste, stomach cramps, constipation or feeling of fullness during treatments. The dietary side effects can be very troublesome during and after therapy, but they usually subside in a couple of days and disappear. The fast-growing nature of the cells in the digestive tract allows for quick repair after therapy. Eating well during therapy is vital to maintaining weight and enhancing tolerance of the treatments. It is important to eat the most well-balanced and highly nutritious diet possible. Some adjustments might be necessary to compensate for side effects during the treatments. When vomiting, nausea and feelings of fullness are a problem, the best approach is to select foods that are quickly digested. Foods that are generally well tolerated are dry, solid foods such as lean meats, breads, cereals, dried fruits, potatoes and pasta, mild-flavored vegetables and non-fried eggs. Fried and fatty foods which have longer digestion times should be avoided. Liquids at mealtime fill the stomach and should be avoided. Cold, clear beverages such as apple juice and carbonated beverages may relieve nausea between meals. Bread or crackers taken before rising in the morning seem to help, too. It might be necessary to eat lightly on the day of the treatment and possibly for a few days afterward. Eating small meals more often and selecting favorite foods may help. Capitalize on hearty eating when you’re feeling well. If diarrhea is a problem avoid foods that might be irritating to your digestive tract. Trial and error is the best way to isolate irritating foods. Foods high in roughage such as raw fruits and vegetables, bran, whole grain breads and cereals, nuts, seeds and popcorn may have to be avoided. Diarrhea can sometimes be helped by eating foods warm instead of hot, to increase the natural movement of the intestines. Liquids should be avoided at mealtime, as with nausea, and taken between meals instead. Cramping may often be helped by avoiding foods that are gas producing. Trial and error is again the best way to isolate gassy foods. Carbonated foods, beer, chewing gum, beans, cabbage, highly spiced foods, too many sweets, skipping meals and swallowing while talking an chewing at the same time, all can cause gas production and cramps. If your mouth is a problem, avoid acid, rough or highly seasoned foods such as tomato products, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices (orange, grapefruit, pineapple), nuts, other crisp or fried foods with sharp edges, pepper and spicy sauces. Avoid extremely hot foods. Cold soft foods and fruit nectars may be soothing. A change in taste is usually associated with sweet and bitter taste sensations. Sweet foods may be harder to taste while bitter foods may taste stronger than usual. Protein food, especially red meats, might taste bitter. They are often better accepted served cold or at room temperature. Protein foods such as poultry, fish, cheese, eggs and milk are generally tolerated better than red meats. Delicious main meal dishes can be made from these foods. Seasonings, including lemon juice, mint, basil, cinnamon and paprika among others, can improve the taste and aroma of food. Extra sugar and salt (if no salt restriction is indicated) may be used to improve taste also. 67 Continued on page 68 |