Good daily intake of nutrients is essential for healing and health maintenance. This becomes an issue for a cancer patient, because both the cancer and the drug(s) being used can depress the appetite and change the way the body metabolizes proteins. Proteins and calories are the two most-often deficient items in a mesothelioma patient’s diet.
Early in your treatment, it’s a good idea to get a nutritional assessment. This may evaluate:
- Weight changes
- Changes in type or quality of food
- Ability to continue with normal living
- Symptoms that affect appetite such as nausea or diarrhea
Cancer treatments, whether drugs, radiation or surgery, increase the body’s need for a high quality diet. The body must heal from the surgical incisions and perhaps fight infection; it must deal with drug side effects. It must recover from radiation effects on nearby healthy cells.
Eat well before, during and after your treatment
By building up your health before treatment, you give yourself a stronger chance of dealing with the fallout and side effects of treatment. If you have a poor appetite, mouth sores or nausea during or after treatment that lower your dietary intake, try using nutritional milkshakes or juice drinks to get the vitamins and minerals you need, as well as the protein. Drink at least six to eight cups of fluid each day to prevent dehydration.
Pointers for the daily diet
- Eat colorful fresh foods. The colors of fruits and vegetables is indication of their nutrients. Vitamin supplements can be washed down with a sip or two of water, but there are so many other nutrients besides the main vitamins we know about. Fresh, colorful food has them all. Even canned fruit in its own juice contains good nutrients, especially the low- or no-sugar varieties.
- Use whole-grain breakfast cereals rather than the sugary types. Add some fresh fruit and milk, and you have a good supportive meal.
- If cooking is a chore, do it less often. Cook in large batches and freeze it in small containers, one for each meal. Bean chili, casseroles, stews, whole-grain pancakes – they all lend themselves to freezing.
- A soft-boiled egg with whole-grain toast is a meal easy on the stomach.
- Prepared salads such as three-bean salad, beet salad and other vegetable mixes are quick to put on the table and give good nutrition.
- Eat small meals rather than three larger ones. Eat when you’re hungry regardless of the clock.
- Cheese and peanut butter provide excellent caloric value and good protein.
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, or if you have a loved one in that position, please contact us to learn more about your legal rights. You may not have a lot of time or energy to cope with paperwork or legal matters, but that’s why we’re here. We can relieve you of those burdens and represent you in your claim for monetary compensation. Why not schedule a free consultation with us so we can evaluate your case and determine where to start?
