Cancer Recovery Nutrition

Learning about nutrition and recovery techniques is important. Recovery patients have increased nutritional needs. Numerous cookbooks are available to help the patient and caregiver learn what foods and recipes that will speed recovery.

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.

• Suggested serving 8-10 cups a day. Choose beverages that are all natural and contain nutrients such as pomegranate, apple, citrus, or cranberry.
  
  
• Try to drink only liquids that contain calories. For example, sip 100% fruit juice, milk, or rice milk instead of water, coffee, tea, or diet drinks.

Eat your favorite foods any time of day.

For example, if you like breakfast foods, eat them for dinner or for a snack. Pancakes at 3 o’clock in the afternoon are fine if that’s what you want!

Stick with naturally occurring sugar.

Stick with naturally occurring sugar, such as the sugar found in fruit. This is a much healthier option than processed sugar that is found in candy, cake, desserts, pie, and baked goods.

Remember to laugh.

Laughter promotes better blood circulation, can help to lower blood pressure, relieves pain, and can promote the release of hormones that can have a calming effect.

Eat and Eat Well!

Side effects from treatments may change your sense of taste and smell. Many times these changes can have dramatic affects on your appetite.

• What you eat can have a big impact on your health and well-being. It is important that you eat foods rich in fibers, proteins, antioxidants, and vitamins to improve your immune system and to keep your energy levels strong. Healthy eating can also promote a healthy digestion and weight.
  
  
• With your Comfort Care™ collection you can create nutritional meals with supplemental items from your pantry. If you don't have the additional items - don't worry, you are still getting a well balanced meal plan. Add whatever items you already have on hand. The most important thing to do is to give your body the nutrition it needs, and what you have on hand is obviously what you enjoy eating.

Eating well now is something you can do to help yourself. Your body needs energy from the food you eat to rebuild and repair. Maintaining your weight can help you recover, heal, and feel better.

Other Nutritional Suggestions to Consider

• Suggested foods to incorporate into your diet are mushrooms, and fish. These are foods containing high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, (fish containing high levels of Omega 3 include salmon, tuna, mackerel or herring).
  
  
• Flax seed, peanuts, lean meats, eggs and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will also give you plenty of nutrition. Eating at least 5-7 servings a day will keep your energy levels high so you can continue with daily activities.