Diet for cancer patients

  • Plant based foods are healthy because they give nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fiber. Eat daily 5-9 servings of vegetables and fruits. In this include fruits like grapes, oranges, apples, berries, especially blue berry, kiwi, avocado, has lots of antioxidants. Dark green vegetables like spinach, mustard leaves, spring onions, peas, broccoli, capsicum, and dark colored vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, pumpkin, mushroom, bell peppers (red, yellow capsicum) contain phytochemicals as well as fiber.
  • Whole grains and whole wheat atta, oats, brown rice, ragi, corns, rice flakes and whole pulses like soybean, peas, etc can be included in daily diet instead of refined foods.
  • Eat moderate amounts of animal foods and cooked properly. Animal protein contains saturated fats so prefer lean meats, sea foods, instead of red meat, pork, etc.
  • Use low fat dairy products like double tonned milk, curds, paneer and cheese.
  • Eat several small snacks throughout the day instead of 3 large meals and don’t wait until you feel hungry.
  • Drink fluids between meals instead of with meals.
  • Include high calorie and protein foods in each meal like fruit smoothies, custard, kheer, stuffed omelette, cream soups. Use milk instead of water in cooking; add paneer/lean chicken to soups, vegetables, cutlets, etc. Add milk powder, cream, walnut and almonds in milk shakes and puddings.
  • Eat your favorite foods at any time of the day. For example, if you like breakfast foods eat them in dinner also.
  • Avoid raw vegetables like salads, raw sprouts, fruits, raw milk, paneer, curd and even bread; and eat freshly prepared and well cooked foods if patient on chemotherapy or neutrophils count is less.