No Appetite or Loss of Appetite Cancer Patients Experience
Many patients experience no appetite or a loss of appetite during cancer treatment. The appetite decline can be a result of the actual treatment or be caused by other side effects such as nausea or loss of taste. This can lead to a rapid decline in nutritional intake and result in weight loss and malnutrition. Research has shown that malnutrition can have a negative effect on quality of life and treatment outcomes for many cancer patients. Nutritional counseling and intervention can help to manage a decreased appetite.There is a best diet cancer patients can follow to help loss of appetite cancer patients experience during treatment. My Ginger Chicken from Eating Well Through Cancer with strong flavors can help increase appetite sometimes as an appetite stimulant and quick chicken dinner.
No Appetite During Cancer Treatment with Best Diet Cancer Patients
Oncology dietitians typically recommend the following techniques and food suggestions to help manage loss of appetite cancer patients experience during and after cancer treatment. Loss of appetite cancer patients experience tips help with nutrition. Here’s some information to combat nausea with recipes for cancer patients.
Follow a schedule To Help with No Appetite
If your appetite is lacking, the last thing you want to do is eat. But that is exactly what will help boost your appetite. If you don’t eat for long periods of time, your body may release less signals for hunger. Following a schedule of eating small, frequent, meals every 2 hours can help to maximize nutritional intake when hunger cues have declined. A schedule is also a simple way to stay accountable. Knowing when and what you are going to eat takes the stress out of your meal routine.
Prepare Meals Ahead of Time To Increase Appetite When Feel Like Eating
If you have days during your treatment regimen when you are feeling somewhat normal, take advantage of the time and prepare meals for the days you are not feeling like cooking. Soups, casseroles, and stews are perfect meals to prepare and freeze for a later date. Or if you have more energy in the morning, toss ingredients into your slow cooker and have a hot meal ready for dinner. Having meals prepared ahead of time takes the burden off of meal time and keeps you on your meal schedule.
Freeze Meals or Get Meal Delivery
Eating Well Through Cancer cookbook highlights Freezer-Friendly meals throughout the book and that let’s you know which recipes for cancer patients you can make ahead. Also, Savor Health offers meal delivery for cancer patients. You have options.
Focus on Good Protein Sources For Loss of Appetite Cancer Patient Experiences Like Ginger Chicken
Protein is a critical nutrient during cancer treatment. It helps keep you strong, boosts your immune system, and promotes healing after treatment. Protein sources include meats, beans, nuts, eggs, dairy products, and soy. Aim to eat protein every time you are eating, at least 5-6 times daily. Try egg recipes like Savory Bread Pudding or this easy to make Ginger Chicken both from Eating Well Through Cancer cookbook. Struggling to get enough protein? Talk to your oncology registered dietitian about including protein bars or nutritional shakes to supplement your daily intake.
Experiment With a Protein Powder When Loss of Appetite Cancer Patients Have
When your appetite is less than normal, sometimes it is easier to drink your calories rather than eating them. A yogurt-based smoothie with fruit and protein powder can provide you with substantial calories and protein. If you cannot have cold food or drinks because of your chemotherapy agent, you can add unflavored protein powder into soups or broths to pack more nutrition into that meal. Whey, hemp, or pea protein powders are good places to start and can usually mix into a variety of different textures and types of foods. One thing to consider: make sure your protein powder does not have added sugar or any artificial ingredients. It is best to choose a pure protein powder for the highest quality product. Speak to your oncology registered dietitian for individual recommendations.
Keep Healthy Snacks on Hand To Increase Appetite
With a poor appetite, it is difficult to get the energy or motivation to cook. Simple hearty snacks like are essential to have readily available when you don’t feel like preparing a meal. This Snack Mix has always been popular and is great to take with you. Some patients choose to eat 6 big snacks per day instead of sitting down to a typical meal. Here are some ideas of protein-rich, healthy snacks to try while undergoing cancer treatment:
- Peanut butter and crackers or fruit
- Hummus with raw vegetables and whole wheat pita
- Fruit with cottage cheese or Greek yogurt
- Trail mix or a handful of nuts
- Protein bar (made with natural ingredients)
- Hard-boiled egg and avocado toast
Savor Health Focuses on Best Diet Cancer Patients Follow
A lack of appetite during cancer treatment can make meal time a more stressful and overwhelming experience. Using these tips above may not drastically improve your desire to eat, but they can help you stay accountable and focus on your nutrition during treatment. By following a schedule, preparing meals in advance, and keeping simple snacks on hand, you can improve your nutritional status and help prevent cancer-induced weight loss and malnutrition. We are always available to answer questions for nutritional counseling during this challenging time.
| Servings 8 servings |
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 4 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast tenders or thighs
Ingredients
|
- In resealable plastic bag, mix ginger, hoisin sauce, soy sauce and olive oil. Add chicken, mixing well. Marinate one hour or longer as time permits.
- To grill: place chicken on preheated grill at low to medium. Grill each side 4-6 minutes. Remove from grill and let sit 5 minutes. If desired, broil in oven on foil lined pan.
Per Serving: Calories 152, Calories from Fat 25%, Fat 4g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 73mg, Sodium 204mg, Carbohydrates 3g, Dietary Fiber 0g, Total Sugars 2g, Protein 24g, Dietary Exchanges: 3 lean meat
Ginger Chicken A Recipe To Increase Your Appetite Everyone Will LOVE!
No appetite? Eating Well Through Cancer targets different side effects when going through cancer treatment. Also, the recipes for cancer patients will help with cancer prevention and this book has best diet cancer patients can follow easily according to their side effects..
Ginger Chicken is a great example of recipe the whole family will enjoy. This protein packed recipe with bold flavors give this simple chicken dish lots of pizzazz making it an easy recipe for cancer patients and the best diet cancer patients can easily eat. Ginger has soothing properties and sometimes strong flavors can help increase appetite for cancer patients and good for best diet cancer patients can easily cook and enjoy.
You’ll Really Like These Easy To Use Oven Mitts
Have you ever used silicon products from these oven mitts to silicon bake ware
They also make a cute gift (for yourself).
Savor Health Offer Nutrition Counseling
For more information, you can visit Savor Health and check out their blog with many more articles that discuss dry mouth and other cancer related topics. Read more special Savor Healthy blog posts with cancer nutrition.
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