Diet Recommendations for Stage 4 Lung Cancer Patients
Lung cancer patients do not require any special menu plan with an aim of curing or treating cancer. However, it is important to focus on consuming healthy diet devoid of junk or frozen food. Doctors advise picking smart eats that can help support your body and keep up your body’s overall strength.
Health experts advise lung cancer patients considering food as a “cancer fighter” to be able to maintain good health and spirits. Major focus should be on eating a well-balanced diet. The food you eat should help with the following:
The “right” diet is not one-size-fits-all prescription given by doctor. Different stages of lung cancer demand different levels of care.
Understanding Stage 4 Lung Cancer
Stage 4 Lung Cancer is known to be the most advanced stage of lung cancer. It is a stage where the cancer has already spread, or metastasized, to both lungs. In most cases, the cancer also spreads in the area around the lungs, or even distant organs.
The illness can cause a rush of emotions in patients. Communication with family and friends and joining a support group or seeking out a therapist is crucial.
Some lifestyle changes including maintaining a healthy weight is important. Doctors advise patients to have small, frequent meals throughout the day. This is important for ensuring that the body is receiving ample calories, protein, and nutrients to tolerate and benefit from treatment.
Smaller meals can also help reduce treatment-related side effects including nausea. Closely follow your doctor’s diet and include at least 5-6 small meals or “mini” meals in every three hours.
Here’s what you should include in your diet:
Add Protein
Protein is an important part of diet. Cancer patients too require additional dose of protein in their daily diet. Protein helps in repairing cells and tissues. It can strengthen immune system and help recover from illness faster. Here is a list of good source of lean protein you must add at all meals and snacks:
Whole Grains
It is advised that lung cancer patients should include whole grains in their regular diet. Whole grains are important because they ensure a good source of carbohydrate and fiber. These are helpful in maintaining your energy levels up. Here are some recommended sources of whole grains:
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables each day. These are absolutely important for giving a boost of healthy antioxidants to the body. Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants. Providing a good dose of antioxidants to the body will help you fight against cancer. Add good number of colors in your daily diet. additionally, you should aim for adding a minimum of 5 servings of raw vegetables and fruits on every day.
Add Healthy Fats
You should focus on choosing reliable sources of healthy fat. Do not have large amounts of fried, greasy, and fatty foods. Try including baked, broiled, or grilled foods into your daily diet. Some of the best options for healthy fats include:
Restrict Sugar
Cancer patients should restrict the amount of sweets and added sugars in their diet. Do not consume large amounts of foods high in added sugars such as sweets and desserts. These may make you lose interest in consuming other healthy foods offering nutrition important for the treatment of cancer.
Hydration is Important
Stay hydrated. You should focus on drinking enough fluids while receiving treatment for cancer. It will prevent our body from dehydration and direct attack on immune system. Doctors recommend drinking around 64 ounces of fluid on a daily basis. Strictly avoid drinking caffeinated beverages. Intake of excess caffeine can lead to dehydration.
Maintain Oral Health
Doctors recommend patients to maintain good oral care. Lung cancer treatment at stage 4 such as chemotherapy and radiation to the head or chest has a tendency to cause irritation to the lining of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Many patients find it difficult to eat or swallow due to this irritation. Brush your teeth with gentle toothpaste after every meal. Floss daily to remove food particles from teeth.
Also read: Explore The Causes Of Prostate Cancer
Safety First
Make sure you and the kitchen-staff at home practice food safety. Always wash hands while preparing food. Allot different chopping boards and knives for preparing raw vegetables and raw meat. Cook food at right temperature. reserve leftover food by refrigerating immediately. Cancer of the lung and its treatment directly attack the immune system making it weak. Practicing food safety will help protect patient against illness and infection.
Avoid Self Medication
Self-medication can be very dangerous. Speak to your doctor prior to taking any vitamins or supplements. Certain medications and cancer treatments may interact with supplements. Hence, it is advisable to choose food as the main source for nutrients before anything else. Let your doctor know if you wish to increase, decrease or stop dosage of medications recommended to you.
Alcohol
It is good to abstain from alcohol while taking treatment for lung cancer stage 4. If complete abstinence is not possible, drink alcohol in moderation. Alcohol may lead to dehydration, reducing efficacy of body’s immune system. Additionally, it simply adds to empty calories sans beneficial nutrients.
Nutrition Before and After Surgery
In case, doctors recommend surgery as part of your treatment, follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully. Speak to your doctor in case of any confusion.
To Sum Up
It is important to understand that your cancer journey is unique to you. Hence, the treatment and dietary options will be unique too. Allow your doctor to monitor your health closely. Inform them about any side effects that may affect your ability to follow diet and daily activity suggestions. Monitor side effects such as vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, or any other nutrition concerns from time to time.
You can take following medicines to get relief from Lung Cancer: Geftinat, Lenvakast