A healthy diet for former cancer survivors & bull; hello healthy

One of their biggest worries is the recurrence or side effects of the treatment that has been done. Thus, the diet and lifestyle of people who have been released from cancer must also be maintained and considered so as not to cause the risk of relapse, accelerate recovery, improve quality of life, and improve bodily function disorders that arise during treatment.

It is estimated that as many as 68% of cancer patients in the United States, can live 4 to 5 years longer because of changing lifestyle and choices of food and drink. In 1997, World Cancer Research Fund issued recommendations related to nutrition and physical activity for former cancer sufferers who have successfully undergone treatment but must maintain their lifestyle. Then, what kind of food is needed to prevent recurrence? Is it okay to eat good food?

What foods are good for ex-cancer survivors?

Implementing a healthy diet has been shown to prevent recurrence in former cancer sufferers cancer survivor . Many studies have shown that people who regularly eat more fruits and vegetables will stay healthier than eating more red meat.

This is evidenced by a study conducted on a group of former breast cancer sufferers, which states that eating lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, and fish can reduce as much as 15% risk of recurrence compared to eating lots of red meat, sweet foods, fatty foods, and fast foo d . Whereas in a study involving former colon cancer sufferers, it was proven that the group who after undergoing treatment then adopted a western-style diet, such as frequently consuming red meat and saturated fat, had a greater risk of relapse and death faster than the group who consumed lots of vegetables and fruit..

Other studies also state the same thing, namely eating more fish, tomatoes, and various foods that contain unsaturated fats can reduce the risk of recurrence in former prostate cancer sufferers. Meanwhile, in former egg or ovarian cancer patients, eating lots of vegetables every day can prevent ovarian cancer from reappearing.

The relationship between eating red meat and various foods that are high in fat with the incidence of cancer is not clear, but several studies suggest that red meat consumption can increase inflammation in body tissues. This inflammation is thought to trigger cancer growth. Vegetables and fruits contain antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lycopene, and vitamins A, C, and E which can protect the body's cells from free radicals, which are the formation of substances in the body that damage normal cells and cause various diseases.

Diet guide for survivor cancer

American Cancer Society and World Cancer Research Fund encourage former cancer survivors to:

Eat at least 2.5 glasses of vegetables and fruit per day or consume at least 5 servings in one day, which is equivalent to 400 grams.
Eat foods that contain healthy fats, such as omega 3 fats in fish, compared to foods that contain trans or saturated fats such as those in fish skin, meat fats, and various packaged foods.
Choosing the protein to eat, make sure to choose protein that is low in fat, such as fish, skinless chicken, eggs, nuts.
It is better to replace the carbohydrate source with brown rice, whole wheat, or whole grain cereals that have high fiber.
Limiting eating red meat, which is less than 500 grams of meat in one week and not eating processed foods.
Limiting the use of salt in food and consuming only 6 grams of salt (2.4 grams of sodium) a day.
Avoid foods and drinks that are too sweet and have high calories from sugar.

Former cancer sufferers are actually the same as healthy people who need all kinds of nutrients to support their health. However, what must be considered is the composition of the food. According to the Institute of Medicine, former cancer patients are more susceptible to various heart diseases, therefore the composition of the diet must be regulated, such as:

Fat requirements are 20% to 35% of total energy
Carbohydrate needs are 45% to 65% of total energy
Protein needs, which is 10% to 35% of the total energy in a day.

By regulating nutrients and nutrients obtained from food that enters the body, it can maintain health conditions and prevent various bad effects that may occur due to chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

The importance of maintaining body weight

Most of the patients who are on cancer treatment will experience weight loss or gain. Therefore, when you have finished treatment and are recovering, it is better to return to normal weight to prevent various complications that may occur. Excess body weight has been shown to be associated with an increased incidence of several cancers such as breast, throat, colon and rectum, liver, bladder, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.

Ex-cancer survivors who are overweight should reduce their weight gradually and adopt a good and healthy diet. Ideally, in one week you lose 1 kg of weight and it is not good to exceed that. Meanwhile, for people who are malnourished or their body mass index is less than normal, consult a nutritionist or doctor to increase their body weight to normal.