What diet helps cancer patients during chemotherapy?

Cancer often radically changes patients' lives and, often, also their link to food. Because when as a result of chemotherapy or lightning therapy, appetite is lost, pain when swallowing or discomfort in the stomach, many patients become overwhelmed.

However, during cancer therapy it is especially important to meet the body's nutrient and energy needs as much as possible, according to the German Nutrition Society (DGE). Some tricks can make this task easier.

A snack, always at hand

In case of lack of appetite it is important to eat at all times when you feel hungry. And this can be even in the middle of the night.

It is useful to always have a snack on hand, such as nuts or mixtures of nuts and raisins, with high nutritional value, even when you are not at home.

The DGE also recommends that patients generally opt for small meals and snacks rather than large portions. Many patients do not tolerate opiparous foods well, or do not even manage to finish their plate.

Spicy and sweet sauces add flavor

Whoever experiences a loss of smell and taste due to cancer therapy, can again feel a little joy with food through specially spiced dishes.

In this case, it is worth taking a look at Asian cuisine: soy sauce or sweet and fruity sauces, for example, work as flavor triggers.

Finally, cancer patients should pay special attention to supplying enough protein to their body. This is achieved with meals such as cottage cheese desserts, scrambled eggs with potatoes or oatmeal and milk porridges.

In case the lack of appetite or discomfort in swallowing makes it difficult to ingest food, an alternative is to consume protein concentrates, which are available in pharmacies, so that the body receives what it needs. These concentrates, the DGE points out, can be used in cooking or also in smoothies.

dpa