Chemotherapy Food

First of all what is Chemo!

Going through chemo is very intense. Even one year after I was done all my treatments I still had some days where I just felt exhausted.

Chemo is a drug or a combination of drugs to treat cancer and other conditions. Chemotherapy acts by killing cells that divide rapidly, one of the main properties of most cancer cells. The pertuzamab chemo drug I took during the study, put a mark on your cancer cell, so your immune system can recognize the tumor and kill it. But these drugs are very strong and also kills the good cells in your body. Chemo also changes the taste and texture of the food you are eating. Food will smell good but when you eat it, it’s a whole different experience. And usually not a good one.

I saw a big difference, especially during chemo (and during my radiation it was even more), that I was eating less and I was tired more. My body was using all my energy to heal.  For some people, they will be sick and can have the following symptoms: chills, fever, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea or constipation and more depending on what type of chemotherapy you will have. Most chemotherapy side effects cease after treatment. Although uncommon, some treatments may produce long-term effects. Your Oncologist will tell you what you should expect.

“Practicing healthy eating habits throughout cancer treatment is essential. Staying hydrated and maintaining muscle tissue with enough fluids, calories and nutrients can reduce treatment delays, boost your immune system and help minimize side effects such as fatigue.
Malnutrition is a condition that occurs when the body is lacking of nutrients, and weight loss during chemo can affect the body’s ability to regain acceptable blood counts between chemotherapy cycles; this can directly affect treatment schedules and achieving successful treatment outcomes.”

From: http://chemocare.com/default.aspx

You have to eat very well in order to get the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals you need from your diet. Your body needs to rebuild and heal.

You will also need to be careful with food during chemo.  Some foods won’t react well with the drugs you will be taking during the chemo. If your Oncologist says to avoid certain food, listen to the expert.

With my breast cancer I have to avoid pomegranate, grapefruit, Alfalfa food rich in glutamate (e.g. Flaxseeds), gluten grains (wheat, barley), fennel seed, dairy products, and all soy foods made from soy beans: soy milk, commercial soy desserts, tofu curd, soy powder protein, tempeh and “mock” hamburgers and hot dogs made from soybeans.

There is a risk for cancer if you over consume soy foods: One study in 1999 showed that consuming only two servings of a soy-based protein powder providing 45 mg of soy isofavones a day could increase cell growth in women’s breast tissues. From http://www.ehow.com

The texture of food might make you feel sick. While I didn’t feel sick, chewing the food for me was disgusting, it was like having sand in my mouth. So I chose to eat food with light, medium or sometimes a liquid texture. I was putting everything in my Vita-Mix Blender.

Chemo food

Nutrition plays a major role in cancer development and treatment. Learn which foods to enjoy, which to limit, and how to best use nutrition to adapt to the side effects of cancer treatment. See also:  Anti Cancer Foods page
All the texture of these recipes can be adjusted to light, medium or soft, just use a blender or juicer.

Light texture (go to)

(puree, juice, smoothies)

Soft texture (go to)

(pate, rice, cereals)

Medium texture (go to)

( soup)

Firm texture (go to)

(I call this regular food)