Healthful Eating During Cancer

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Scripps Cancer Center

Healthful Eating During Cancer

Medical Nutrition Therapy

About

Eating well before treatment optimizes health and strength prior to treatment and can improve outcomes. Eating well during treatment can help maintain strength and quality of life. Eating well after treatment can help decrease the risk of recurrence, other cancers, and chronic diseases such as type two diabetes and heart disease. When feeling well, it is recommended to eat a whole food, plant-based diet with a focus on protein and moderation.

A plant-based diet includes a variety of plant-based foods but may also include food from animal sources such as dairy products, eggs, meat, fish, and poultry. Plant sources are a focus because they contain many compounds that promote health, such as fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Speak to a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to individualize this nutrient dense eating approach.

Nutrition Tips

Have protein with every meal and snack
Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant-based protein sources, and lean animal products (if preferred)
"Eat the rainbow" by including different types and colors of vegetables and fruit into every meal and snack
- This provides a variety of phytonutrients, which are being studied and shown to help protect against a variety of health conditions, including cancer
The less processed, the better
- When buying processed foods (cans, jars, boxes, bags), look for those with a short ingredient list
Stay hydrated - focus on water while limiting caffeine and sugary drinks
Limit red meat and processed meat
Limit added sugars
- These are sugars added to foods - they contain minimal to no nutritional benefits
- Examples: cane sugar, raw sugar, syrups, brown sugar, honey, agave, molasses
- Pro tip: add fruit to your oatmeal, cold cereal, and yogurt for a natural sweetener that also provides fiber and a variety of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals!
Limit or avoid alcohol
- The American Cancer Society and the American Institute for Cancer Research recommend avoiding alcohol. If choosing to drink, it is recommended to consume no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women. Speak to your healthcare team to discuss what is recommended for you

Food Group	Foods to Include	Foods to Limit
Vegetables and Fruits	Choose a variety to include all colors, especially dark leafy green vegetables Choose fresh, dried, frozen, and canned without added sugar or salt	Fruit packed in syrup Fruits or vegetables with added sugar or salt
Different colors will provide a variety of different vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals If drinking fruits/vegetables, blend the whole food instead of juicing
Protein	Plant-basedsources Beans, lentils Tofu, tempeh Edamame Animal sources Eggs Fish and seafood Poultry (chicken, turkey) Lean cuts of meat	Red meat Beef, pork, lamb Processed meat Deli/luncheon meat, salami, bacon, ham, sausage, hot dogs Fried meat, poultry, and fish Poultry with skin
Plant-based proteins offer a variety of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals Soy is a good source of protein and has been shown to not only be safe in moderation, but may be beneficial in cancer prevention Bake or broil meat instead of grilling or frying
Dairy*	Cottage cheese, low fat Greek yogurt, low or non-fat Milk Examples: low fat or fat free cow's milk, soy, oat, rice, almond milk	Full fat dairy products
Cow and soymilk have the highest amounts of protein These foods also provide calcium and may be fortified with vitamin D
Grains	Cold cereal - whole grain or bran Corn or whole wheat tortillas Brown and wild rice Oatmeal Quinoa Whole wheat pasta, bread, bagels, crackers, and flour	Baked goods with added sugar and refined ingredients Cold cereal made from refined grains Flour tortillas White pasta, bread, bagels, crackers, and flour White rice
Make at least half of the grain choices from whole grains Whole grain or whole wheat foods contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial compounds for health

Food Group	Foods to Include	Foods to Limit
Fats and oils	Avocados Nuts and nut butters Examples: almonds, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts Unsaturated oils Examples: canola, avocado, olive, flaxseed, sesame	Coconut and palm oil Shortening
Fats contain a lot of calories, be mindful of proper portion sizes Choose unsaturated fats in place of saturated fats Examples: cook with oil instead of butter, use an oil-based salad dressing instead of a creamy option, use avocado in place of mayonnaise on sandwiches
Beverages	Water Coffee, unsweetened Tea, unsweetened 100% fruit juice (in moderation)	Sweetened beverages Examples: soda, juice, sweet tea, energy drinks, sugary coffee drinks
Watch out for added sugars - these provide calories with little to no health benefits Eat fruits and vegetables instead of drinking the juice- there is more fiber and long-term health benefits when the whole food is consumed

Lifestyle Tips

Exercise
- Exercise has been shown to be beneficial before, during, and after treatment
  - Why? It helps maintain or increase muscle mass, bone density, and improves physical function. It has also been shown to improve cancer-related fatigue, sleep, anxiety, and symptoms of depression
- General recommendations for exercise and cancer, from the American College of Sports Medicine, include participation in:
  - Aerobic exercise 3 times a week for 30 min or more with moderate intensity
    - Examples: walking, biking, elliptical
  - Strength training 2 times a week with 2 sets of 8-15 repetitions with moderate intensity
    - Examples: use weights or your own body weight for resistance
- Speak with your doctor to see if exercise is safe for you and ask an exercise physiologist, physical therapist, or personal trainer for individualized recommendations
Maintain a healthy body weight
- During treatment the goal is to maintain your current body weight
  - Use a combination of nutrition and exercise to reach this goal
- If losing weight before or during treatment without trying, ask your medical team for a referral to see a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

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