When undergoing lung cancer treatment, one of the first things lost is your appetite. It’s tricky, though, because your body needs nutrients from healthy foods more than ever to keep you strong during cancer treatments.
READ: Why At-Risk Black Smokers May Be Falling Through The Cracks For Lung Cancer Screenings
Lung cancer directly affects the African American community. It’s the second most common cancer among Black men and women. So if you’re not battling the disease yourself, you probably know someone who is living with lung cancer.
An immediate symptom of lung cancer is difficulty swallowing, according to Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, director of nutrition and physical activity at the American Cancer Society. Because of this, it’s very important to avoid certain types of food during cancer treatment.
Here is a list of foods that aren’t helpful to lung cancer patients:
Tart, acidic and spicy food
This includes foods like citrus fruits and tomato-based foods, or anything with hot peppers. With a tender throat, these foods can be hard to swallow. Also, with cancer treatment, many patients experience nausea. Mild, bland foods served at room temperature can help with the nausea, which could encourage patients to eat.
Rough-textured foods
Because the esophagus is sensitive during lung cancer treatment, any foods with rough textures or sharp edges can be difficult — even painful — to swallow. This includes raw fruits and vegetables, crackers and pretzels.
When preparing meals, it may be easier to eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of big meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Soups with potatoes, or any thick liquids such as milkshakes, can serve as good meals for patients with sore throats from treatment. It’s also important to drink lots of fluids between meals rather than with meals.
As with any changes to your diet while undergoing cancer treatment, it’s best to consult with your physician to make sure this new diet doesn’t negatively affect the treatment or your body.
