Rules and types of food for ovarian cancer patients

Apart from undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, patients must also adopt a diet. This diet not only regulates portions, but also food choices such as vegetable or fruit choices that are good and good for ovarian cancer. What are the food options? See the list below.

Diet rules for ovarian cancer sufferers

There are important reasons why ovarian cancer patients really need to pay attention to their diet. It should be noted that cancer and its treatment, affect the patient's body needs for nutrition.

For example, when undergoing chemotherapy, cancer patients will experience side effects as well as ovarian cancer symptoms such as nausea and vomiting which causes food to be consumed again. In fact, sometimes it is accompanied by diarrhea or a sore in the mouth, making it difficult for cancer patients to eat comfortably.

As a result, insufficient nutritional intake makes the patient underweight and may slow down the recovery process from illness. In fact, it is possible to increase the risk of ovarian cancer complications.

All these things make oncologists and nutritionists require cancer patients to live this healthy lifestyle.

Before knowing food choices, both vegetables and fruits that are good and good for ovarian cancer patients, you need to understand several rules, including:

• Eat 5-6 small meals per day to avoid nausea. Choose foods that are cold, do not have a strong smell that can make you vomit. Avoid fatty or fried foods.
• When you have diarrhea, avoid foods that contain gas, caffeine, or sorbitol. Choose fiber-rich foods with small but frequent portions.
• If you have mucositis (sores in the mouth), avoid acidic and spicy foods. Choose foods that are soft textured and served cold.

Recommended types of food for ovarian cancer

In order to keep body cells healthy and support the immune system, cancer patients must be careful in choosing foods. Of course, the foods chosen are rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates.

Various food choices that need to be included in the diet every day for cancer patients, namely:

1. Fruits

According to Jill Bice, MS, MD, a nutritionist from the University of Chicago Medicine, women generally need to consume 1 ½ to 2 cups of fruit per day. This is equivalent to 350 grams of fruit per day. Actually, any fruit is good and can be consumed for ovarian cancer patients because fruit provides vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and of course phytochemicals.

Phytochemicals are active compounds that can reduce inflammation, prevent DNA damage and help repair it, and stimulate apoptosis (dead cells) and boost the immune system.

You can enjoy bananas, apples, watermelons, mangoes, dragon fruit, pears, grapes, melons, papayas, and other colorful fruits. However, a good choice of food for ovarian cancer must adapt to the condition the body is consuming it. For example, when you have diarrhea, avoid papayas or pears, which can make diarrhea worse.

Instead of juicing, you better enjoy it straight and whole. You can also increase your fruit consumption by mixing it in yogurt or making a salad.

2. Vegetables

Apart from fruit, phytochemicals and other important nutrients are also found in vegetables. Vegetables that are good for ovarian cancer are very diverse, for example green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, or kailan.

You need to get 3 servings of vegetables per day. According to Eat for Health, the dose of 1 serving of vegetables varies depending on the type of vegetable chosen.

For example, 1 serving of green vegetables is equivalent to 1/2 cup, which is 45 grams. As for tomatoes, 1 portion is equal to 1 medium tomato and for potatoes, 1 portion is equivalent to medium sized potatoes. When the dosage of these foods can be a good daily vegetable intake for cancer patients.

Instead of canned vegetables, you are better off choosing fresh vegetables. However, don't forget to wash the vegetables under running water until they are clean. In addition, when you are nauseous or have diarrhea, you should avoid vegetables that contain lots of gas, such as cabbage.

3. Nuts and seeds

Other foods that are good for ovarian cancer patients are nuts and seeds. Both of these foods are rich in fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, and iron. You can choose wheat, almonds, soybeans, chia seeds, or flaxseeds.

These whole grains you most often serve for breakfast, as toppings for yogurt, or mix it in your cooking.

4. Dairy products and protein foods

Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, or cheese contain protein and calcium which are good for the body. However, you must be careful to choose foods that are good for ovarian cancer, especially in their sugar and fat content. So, choose low-sugar yogurt and low-fat milk.

You can also get protein from meat, ranging from chicken, fish, and beef. However, set aside the fat part of the chicken (white meat) and beef (red meat). Also limit consumption of red meat as a daily diet menu.

Setting a healthy diet for cancer patients is not an easy task. If you have trouble, do not hesitate to consult further with an oncologist or nutritionist. They will help you create a diet plan and recommend healthy menus to eat each day.