Eating Well
Good eating habits will help you throughout your cancer journey. Drinking water and staying hydrated, along with a healthy diet, will help you maintain muscle tissue, keep up your strength and minimize side effects.
ChemoCare.com has many helpful suggestions for eating well. Key points include:
- Eat at least 3-6 times per day, choosing from all food groups; include proteins with each meal.
- Drink at least 80-100 ounces of fluids per day — 10 to 12, 8-ounce glasses — of mostly water.
- Weigh yourself at least once per week to see if you are losing weight. If you have difficulty maintaining weight, eat more often and talk to your provider about ways to sustain your weight.
- If you aren’t able to tolerate healthy foods, eat whatever you can tolerate. You still need to eat enough to maintain your weight and muscle mass, as well as staying well hydrated.
If you would like to schedule time with a dietitian to discuss your diet, contact Salem Health. A registered dietitian can help you learn what, and how much, you should eat for your needs. They can also design a personal meal plan, offer shopping tips and recipes, and answer your nutrition questions. They will need a referral from your physician.