What Should I Eat After Cancer Treatment?
Patient: “What should I eat now that I’m done with cancer treatment?”
Provider: “Just eat whatever you want.”
Although this is not an actual conversation I overheard between a provider and a patient, it does unfortunately reflect what I hear many times from patients- that they’ve asked the question, and not received a satisfactory answer. I’m sure I answered patients that way long ago before I knew better. They are seeking advice on WHAT FOODS to eat, now that treatment is done. Sometimes, they’re seeking advice on what to eat during treatment. The truth is, most of us don’t have the training or the time to really take a deep dive into this question. Most of my Dietician colleagues are so overwhelmed and backed up with patient consults that they may not be able to even see this patient, and if they do get to see them, it may be just a one time visit.
Functional Medicine to the rescue! Here are some tips to get started, because after all, Food Is Medicine, Medicine is Food:
Fiber. Your poor GI tract has been thru the wringer. Your friendly gut bugs need some love and food! Feed them fiber sources, vegetables are a super source. Fruit and leafy greens are too, but remember contains quite a bit of water so balance out your daily intake with plenty of veggies, and whole grains at each meal. Eggs pair with really any vegetable, especially tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. Rolled oats (try the real rolled oats or steel cut = more fiber compared with quick oats) with some fruit (fresh or dried) along with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Colors. Heard of phytonutrients? They power all the cells in your body, including your immune system. These powerful substances created the color in fruits and veggies. A little goes a long way; think “diversity.” A small amount of many different kinds of phytonutrients is better than a large dose of just one type (color). “Eat the Rainbow” so the saying goes.
Broccoli. And Brussel Sprouts. Onions, cauliflower and leeks. These cruciferous vegetables contain sulforaphane, a substance (phytochemical) that keeps cancer cells from forming. Read more here.
Cut down on meat, especially ones that are grilled. Grilled meat produces dangerous toxins (AGEs- Advanced Glycation Endproducts) which are linked to many diseases including cancer. Here’s an article about it and how to reduce them.
If you are wondering what to eat after cancer treatment, click here for a free 20 minute “After Cancer Diet Strategy” session to learn more.
You Deserve to Feel Healthy.
