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Beneficial foods during cancer treatments

Each type of cancer and treatment may require its own unique nutritional needs so make an appointment with the nutritionist or dietician in your health care team to discuss the types of food which will benefit you the most during your treatments.

A focus on energy dense or protein rich foods with higher kilojoule content is often what is recommended. Foods to look at will include:

•    Meat
•    Milk
•    Dairy products (cheese, yoghurt, creams)
•    Eggs
•    Oil
•    Sauces or gravies

Aim for fresh foods before trying prepared and packaged foods and meal replacements. All though have their place in the recovery phase for oncology patients but be guided by what your dietician recommends.

Include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables everyday (raw and cooked) especially brassica or cruciferous vegetables (bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and mustard greens) in every meal if possible because they are rich in antioxidants. Don’t forget cereals and grains including whole wheat, oats and rice.

Probiotic foods place good bacteria (such as lactobacillus culture) in the gut and you can get this from yoghurt or fermented milk drinks.

Sometimes when you can’t meet the nutritional requirements from diet so in some situations, you may need to have protein drinks which are powdered protein added to puréed or blended fruit milk, ice cream and/yoghurt.