Cancer Induced Diarrhea and How To Manage Treatment Induced Diarrhea
How to manage cancer and chronic diarrhea? Cancer induced diarrhea is a common issue among cancer patients. It can be caused by multiple factors of cancer care like chemotherapy, radiation to the midsection, colorectal surgery, or just the cancer itself. Constant diarrhea from cancer treatment can be a tiring and traumatic experience for a patient, as well as have a negative effect on their nutritional status. Regular diarrhea can cause severe dehydration resulting in IV fluids and/or hospitalizations. Getting control of diarrhea from cancer treatment is difficult for the oncology patient. It is a critical factor for successful cancer treatment. Recipes for cancer and diarrhea include a creamy Rice Pudding recipe from Eating Well Through Cancer cookbook. There’s also recipes and tips to help you fight chronic cancer and diarrhea on this healthy food blog or consult with a dietitian with Savor Health.
| Servings 4 (1/2 cup) servings |
- 1 1/2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 cups skim milk divided
- 1/4 cup sugar
- dash salt
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredients
|
- In medium nonstick pot, combine cooked rice, 1 1/2 cups milk, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thick and creamy, 10-15 minutes.
- In bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup milk and egg. Gradually pour some of the hot mixture, stirring, into milk-egg mixture. Return to pot. Bring to boil, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened; about several minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla.
Per Serving: Calories 188, Protein (g) 7, Carbohydrate (g) 36, Fat (g) 1, Cal. from Fat (%) 7, Saturated Fat (g) 1, Dietary Fiber (g) 0, Sugars (g) 19, Cholesterol (mg) 49, Sodium (mg) 70, Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat-free milk, 1 other carbohydrate
Terrific Tip: To reheat, stir in milk until creamy consistency. Reheat in microwave, if desired. The mixture thickens as it cools.
Nutritional Nugget: Satisfy your sweet tooth with this comforting soothing treat for a light dessert.
Tips from Savor Health To Help Treat Cancer Induced Diarrhea And Rice Pudding Recipe
Increase your fluid For Cancer and Diarrhea
If you are having chronic diarrhea, your fluid status is probably low. As the diarrhea from cancer treatment continues, it is crucial to increase your water intake. If your diarrhea is severe or goes on for more than a few hours, it may be recommended to choose an electrolyte replacement drink. Pedialyte,
Cancer Cookbook Watches Fiber with Chronic Diarrhea From Cancer Treatment
My book, Eating Well Through Cancer, includes a chapter devoted to Tummy Troubles! What you eat makes a difference! Foods high in fiber can stimulate the bowels and make the diarrhea more of a problem. Recipes like Rice Pudding are easy to tolerate with chronic diarrhea.
What to eat? Avoid nuts and beans. Also, choose low fiber options, such as white bread, rice, and pasta instead of the whole grain versions. The nutritional value is lower in these choices, however, they are easier to tolerate for the digestive system.. They will not trigger more diarrhea. During times of diarrhea from cancer treatment, raw fruits and vegetables are also not recommended. Choose cooked or canned options instead. This Simple Baked Chicken recipe has no fiber and is easy to prepare. It is also easy on the stomach.
Limit Gut Stimulating Foods with Diarrhea from Cancer Treatment
Besides fiber, there are foods that are harder for the digestive system to tolerate. These foods include dairy, spicy foods, and high fat foods. Choosing bland, easy to digest foods will help give your gut a rest. Broth based soups, cream of rice cereal, bananas, and crackers are some examples of bland food options to start with while having diarrhea. Once diarrhea is cleared up, you can start slowly introducing regular foods back in the diet to ensure the digestive system has recovered. My Easy Banana Bread makes a great breakfast option and is perfect for cancer and diarrhea.
Add Good Bacteria To Help Prevent Diarrhea
Good bacteria or probiotics can help prevent diarrhea from cancer and/or help lessen the severity of it. Organic yogurt and kefir are good food options, while there are dozens of probiotic medications at your local health food store. There’s two recommendations when choosing a probiotic. First, look for one with multiple strains of good bacteria, such lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. Second, choose a probiotic that must be refrigerated for the best gut protection. I think probiotics make an easy aid for cancer and diarrhea.
Talk to your physician About How To Treat Chronic Diarrhea from Cancer Treatment
There are a handful of anti-diarrheal medicines on the market, both over the counter and prescription medications. They can be very effective in controlling diarrhea from cancer when directions on the box are followed. Many patients are hesitant to take as many as the box recommends and their diarrhea is never well controlled. Talk to your medical oncologist about your cancer induced diarrhea symptoms. Then, you can find the best choice and regimen for you. I have recipes and tips to combat nausea when going through treatment.
While you are actively having diarrhea, it is important to rest your body as much as you can. Extra movement or activity will stimulate the bowels. This can make the diarrhea more severe. Stress can also make the gut work overtime. If you are able, rest and relax to help your digestive system get back on track.
What You Eat To Manage Diarrhea from Cancer Treatment –Savor Health Dietitians Help Answer Questions
For more information, visit Savor Health. Check out their blog with many more articles that discuss diarrhea and other cancer related topics. What you eat makes a difference with cancer and diarrhea! I hope these tips and recipes help you during this challenging time.
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Hey,
I recently went through a colorectal surgery as a part of my cancer treatment. Never would’ve I’ve thought that I would bee looking for diarrhea friendly recipes form food blogs weeks after. I think the approach people should have towards recovery progress should be take with a happier humor. However I found your blog very useful, thanks!
I completely understand. When Eating Well Through Cancer first came out, my husband would say, “Holly was on TV cooking out of the diarrhea section” at 8:am in the morning. Everyone laughed but they weren’t experiencing the issue. Now, that I was diagnosed with stomach cancer, I, too, have looked at those recipes and use my own book. Thanks for taking time to write! I wish you good health! Holly