Chemotherapy is one of the leading methods of treating oncological tumors. This procedure involves intravenous administration of special drugs that destroy cancer cells and inhibit their growth. The main disadvantage of chemotherapy drugs is their low selectivity with respect to cells and tissues. Unfortunately, such treatment affects not only cancer cells, but also healthy ones, which causes side effects, for example, quite often the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract) and digestion can be disrupted. The effect of chemotherapy drugs on the gastrointestinal tract is nausea and loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea. A few of the lesser-known side effects of such treatment that can change the perception of food are loss of taste and sensitivity to certain odors. For a quick recovery of the body and relief of side effects of chemotherapy, doctors recommend sticking to a special diet.
Managing taste sensations
According to a number of studies, about 50% of people who undergo chemotherapy treatment experience a change in taste sensations. Some of them have a metallic or chemical taste in their mouth, and someone ceases to feel the taste at all. As a rule, this effect is temporary, and the receptors are restored three to four weeks after the end of treatment.
Is it possible to get rid of these problems? Depending on the reason for the changes, different tips may work differently for each of the patients. If you experience nausea, choose foods that smell good and taste good. Since your preferences may change, experiment with different foods and new dishes. Cold food or products at room temperature have a less pungent smell and irritate the taste buds less, so you should pay attention to them first. Also, a slice of fresh lemon without sugar will help to cope with nausea: such a portion is not enough to irritate the gastrointestinal tract, but it increases appetite and prevents vomiting. Ice cream or frozen juice can also calm the stomach.
To get rid of the metallic taste in the mouth, it is worth trying to use plastic or glass dishes. If a certain type of meat causes unpleasant sensations, check the reaction to other sources of protein, for example: eggs, beans or dairy products. Try to create conditions during the meal that increase the mood of the spirit. They can be a beautiful table setting, quiet music or socializing with friends. Use salad dressings or other sauces, as well as herbs and spices. Perhaps they will help the dish become more attractive again and improve your appetite. Also, a walk in the fresh air will help to “start” the digestive system and feel a slight hunger.
To get rid of the metallic taste in the mouth, it is worth trying to use plastic or glass dishes. If a certain type of meat causes unpleasant sensations, check the reaction to other sources of protein, for example: eggs, beans or dairy products. Try to create conditions during the meal that increase the mood of the spirit. They can be a beautiful table setting, quiet music or socializing with friends. Use salad dressings or other sauces, as well as herbs and spices. Perhaps they will help the dish become more attractive again and improve your appetite. Also, a walk in the fresh air will help to “start” the digestive system and feel a slight hunger.
Nutritional support
Patients who receive long-term systemic antitumor therapy are shown nutritional support. This is the process of providing a full diet using a number of methods that, in addition to the usual meal, include artificial nutrition. Nutritional support helps the body cope with various diseases, infections, the consequences of surgical interventions and injuries. It is also ideal during chemotherapy.
Nutrition during such treatment should be aimed at maintaining the level of biologically necessary components — macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). In patients with cancer, the processes of splitting muscle protein are accelerated, and it is necessary for wound healing, better tolerability of medications (including chemotherapy drugs), weight and strength maintenance. Against the background of loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, for example, mixtures for feeding cancer patients can be used as the only or additional source of nutrition. They are enriched with easily digestible components and a full-fledged complex of nutrients, which allows you to give the body everything necessary for normal life in a small volume. They do not disgust patients. You can buy them at a pharmacy, but such mixtures have their own contraindications and are prescribed only on the recommendation of a doctor.
What can I eat?
During treatment, you can eat almost anything. It is necessary to include fresh fruits in the diet and drink juices. The use of berries and vegetables will benefit. The latter, by the way, are useful both fresh and baked, and steamed. There must be a large amount of protein in the diet, so you need to try to eat meat, fish and eggs. Dairy products also enrich the body with minerals and vitamins. Bread and porridge are usually perceived as dangerous because of their high calorie content, but during treatment they are ideal, for example, for breakfast.
In conditions of reduced appetite, vomiting and aversion to food, experts recommend eating fractional, eating five to seven times a day in small portions. It will be useful to include mashed dishes in the diet. It will be easier for the body to digest them, and the gastrointestinal tract will not react to food with nausea.
What is not allowed to eat?
The list of prohibited dishes during treatment includes fried, smoked, salted or canned foods. It is recommended to limit the consumption of fast food and treat spicy and spicy dishes with caution. Also avoid eating semi-finished products. But if these foods make you hungry, then, of course, you can afford such food in small quantities. Just don’t make it a daily habit. Try to enrich your diet, add more greens to salads, choose beautiful products of different colors and textures. You should also give up heavily carbonated drinks. And remember, there are no trifles in the fight against oncology, and nutrition often becomes one of the key factors affecting the effectiveness of therapy and the speed of recovery of the body!
