Maintaining a healthy weight during Lung cancer treatment is very important. It is important to consume enough calories, proteins, and nutrients during cancer treatment to avoid weight loss. The four most important nutrition issues during cancer treatment are addressed in the following tips.
1. Decreased Appetite  Rather than three regular-sized meals, eat small meals or snacks that are high in calories and protein several times throughout the day. Eggs, meats, poultry, fish, beans, legumes, nuts, and milk products are all high in protein. | 2. Fatigue  If preparing food is tiring, have easy to prep snacks like yogurt, cereals, soup, fruits, pudding, crackers with peanut butter or cheese, and sandwiches. |
3. Weight Loss  If you are experiencing nausea, bland foods that are low in odor are generally tolerated well. | 4. Dehydration  Drink at least 8 to 10 cups of hydrating fluids daily. |
Advice on Antioxidants, Vitamins, and Supplements
• Instead of taking supplements, try to get all of your nutrients from your food. Take a vitamin only if your doctor suggests it.
• Eat a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as many of them are high in antioxidants.
• If you smoke, avoid taking beta-carotene.
Nutrition and Lung Cancer Side Effects
If you are experiencing lung cancer side effects, you may need to change your diet. Always inform your doctor if you are experiencing any side effects. Take the following steps:
• Eat a bland diet, eat small meals frequently, and add healthy fats to pack more nutrients into what you can eat to help with digestive side effects.
• Use a straw to help with mouth sores, and avoid foods that are too hot, cold, spicy, or acidic.
• Request a referral to a palliative care team, which consists of healthcare professionals who specialise in assisting patients with side effects management.
Getting Help
Dietary changes can be challenging, but there are resources available to assist you. Take the following steps:
• Request a referral to a cancer-specialized registered dietitian.
• Get nutrition advice from the members of Inspire's Lung Cancer Survivors Community. Visit Lung.org/community to get started. Visit Lung.org/lung-cancer-nutrition for more information.
A modified version of the USDA’s MyPlate icon could guide you on nutritional intake. Instead of splitting your plate down the middle with protein and carbohydrates occupying one side and fruits and vegetables on the other — you should aim for a “peace sign” consisting of equal portions of fruits and vegetables, carbohydrates, and lean protein.
Increased protein intake is beneficial for cancer patients because adequate protein intake is especially important to prevent losing lean muscle mass when losing weight.
Click the link to learn more- https://www.choosemyplate.gov/startsimpleapp
Click here to download the MyPlate app on iPhone
Click here to download the MyPlate app on Android
There are also apps available that help track calories and plan meals. One of these apps in MyFitnessPal
Click here to download the MyFitnessPal app on iPhone
Click here to download the MyFitnessPal app on Android
References-
1. Friday, M. S., June 26, & 2015. (n.d.). 8 Tips for Managing Weight during and after Cancer Treatment | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Www.Mskcc.Org. https://www.mskcc.org/news/8-tips-managing-weight-during-and-after-treatment
2. (2020). Cancer.Org; American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/survivorship-during-and-after-treatment/staying-active/nutrition.html
3. Nutrition and Lung Cancer Preventing Lung Cancer. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21, 2021, from https://www.lung.org/getmedia/8d6a16da-af11-4559-ba07-937cbc78ce2d/nutrition-and-lung-cancer.pdf.pdf