Guidelines for choosing nutrition for people with cancer

If most people are desperately reducing their daily calorie intake, people who are sick with cancer should be the opposite. Yes, someone who has a history of chronic diseases, such as cancer, is usually advised to increase their daily calorie intake. Not only calories, people who are sick with cancer also need to pay attention to nutritional intake from the food consumed daily.

This is not without reason, because choosing the right nutrition can boost the immune system and speed up recovery during cancer treatment.

What nutritional content is needed before cancer treatment?

Before determining the nutrients needed during cancer treatment, people who are sick with cancer must first check their nutritional status by a doctor. In fact, this nutritional status check must be monitored regularly every patient who wants to take medication.

Ideally, good nutrition for cancer patients should include calories, protein, and additional vitamins from supplements. This is done to prevent complications from the cancer treatment itself. Some of the common problems experienced by patients due to cancer treatment include decreased appetite, indigestion, nausea, and malnutrition.

How much is the daily calorie requirement for a person with cancer?

People who are sick with cancer generally need more calorie intake to expedite the cancer treatment process they are doing.

If you need a lot of calories, you must increase your food intake. However, don't just eat a lot because people who are sick with cancer must also consider the nutritional value of the food they consume.

In general, the calorie needs of cancer patients are basically different for each person, but the average cancer patient needs about 25-35 calories / kg BW / day. For example, if you weigh 60 kg, then your calorie intake per day will range from 1500 - 2100 calories.

What nutrients are needed when treating cancer?

Just like healthy people, cancer patients also need carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin and mineral intake from the food they consume on a daily basis.

In fact, cancer patients need certain nutrients more than healthy people, for example micronutrients. This is because cancer patients are prone to micronutrient deficiencies due to the effects of their treatment.

Cancer treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy can reduce levels of vitamins and minerals in the body, either because of absorption problems or the patient's food intake decreases because he has no appetite.

In fact, micronutrients are one of the important nutrients for growth and body health.

In addition, patients also need certain nutrients such as:

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), are useful for preventing a decrease in appetite during cancer treatment and as body energy. Sources of BCAA are milk, chicken, duck, beef, cheese, egg white.
Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), is useful for reducing inflammation in the body, and preventing complications. Sources of EPA are salmon, tuna, mackerel, catfish, and wet anchovies.
Arginine and glutamine. Ariginine for stimulation of the immune system and makes it easier to digest body proteins. Meanwhile, glutamine is used to protect the digestive tract against the effects of cancer treatment and the formation of new cells. Food sources rich in glutamine and arginine are meat, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, soybeans, nuts, and wheat.

Should people with cancer take supplements?

If the cancer patient's nutritional intake still cannot be fulfilled by their daily diet, supplements may be needed. However, giving supplements to cancer patients should not be arbitrary, you have to have the doctor's permission first.

The reason is, the consumption of supplements can be dangerous if consumed by someone who does not really need them. Not that it provides benefits, taking supplements carelessly can actually cause poisoning.

Important things that cancer patients need to pay attention to

Until now the American Cancer Society recommends four health programs for cancer patients, including:

Maintain normal weight
Eat lots of fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Limit your intake of foods that are high in saturated fat, sugar, flour, and processed flour products
Implementing a balanced nutritional diet accompanied by regular exercise

Apart from the four things above, here are some other important things that cancer patients should pay attention to in fulfilling their daily food intake:

Always read food labels. Don't be fooled by foods or drinks that are labeled low in fat (low fat) or fat free (non fat) because they are not necessarily low in calories.
Get in the habit of eating small portions when eating high-calorie foods.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables instead of eating high-fat foods such as french fries, ice cream, donuts, and others.
Limit your intake of sugary drinks such as soft drinks, sport drinks, and fruit flavor.
When eating foods outside of home cooking, remember to always choose low-calorie, low-fat, low-sugar foods and eat smaller portions.