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Best Diet Plan for Breast Cancer Patients: Boost Immunity and Energy
By Raveena M Prakash
A new breast cancer diagnosis is often life-changing, but with the right treatment plan, support system, and lifestyle choices, many patients go on to live and experience a healthy and more fulfilling life. If you are concerned with what to eat during your treatment period, then choose to eat a balanced and nutrient-rich diet. It can help to boost immunity and energy levels in patients. Additionally, it will enhance your body’s ability to heal and help you to recover.
In this blog, we’ll discover more about the best diet plan that helps to enhance the immune system and overall energy levels and reduce inflammation during and after treatment!
Key nutrients for breast cancer patients
It’s important to understand which nutrients are most beneficial for breast cancer patients.
Here are key nutrients that enhance the immunity and energy levels, including:
- Antioxidants:These essential nutrients help to neutralize many harmful free radicals in the body and also help to reduce the risk of inflammation. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer should eat fruits and vegetables that can help to strengthen the immune system.
- Healthy fats: Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish and flaxseeds, have anti-inflammatory properties, and they might help to manage the side effects of treatments.
- Proteins: Eating a lot of protein-rich foods helps to maintain tissue repair and immune function. Eating protein helps the body to recover after surgery or chemotherapy.
- Fiber: Essential nutrients like fiber supports digestion and helps to maintain a healthy weight, which is quite important for your overall health conditions and cancer prevention.
- Vitamins and minerals: There are vitamins like vitamin D and minerals like magnesium and zinc that play a vital role in the immune function and energy levels of your patients.
What to eat during breast cancer treatment?
Here’s what you should include in your diet, include:
Fruits and vegetables
Many studies have shown that including five or more servings of fruits and vegetables is best for boosting immunity and energy levels. They also contain antioxidants and anti-estrogen properties.
Additionally, include vegetables like cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and brussel sprouts that are rich in phytochemicals and good to include in your diet.
Whole grains and other sources of fiber
If you are undergoing your breast cancer treatments, then try to get approximately 25 to 30 g of fiber from eating whole grains, which are unprocessed foods high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, and photochemicals, along with fruits and vegetables.
Many studies suggest that at least half the grains in your diet should contain whole grains such as oats in a breakfast, whole grain in your lunch, and brown rice in the dinner as well.
Lean protein
To increase the intake of good proteins, then try to include more chicken, fish and legumes such as lentils and beans. Try to reduce the consumption of processed foods like processed meats, which are pickled and smoked while cooking.
Instead eat chicken and healthy meats like fish that are prepared in an healthy manner, such as steam cooked, sauted etc.
Vegetarians can consume soybeans as well for the healthy proteins. Eat these in moderate levels, and you can eat two servings in a day. Along with soy, you can also have tofu, edamame, and soy milk, which are also good for these breast cancer patients.
General Dietary guidelines for Breast Cancer Patients
Here are some general dietary guidelines for breast cancer patients, and they can help the patients to improve their treatment outcomes, including:
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water: Try to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, and also drink herbal teas, coconut water and fresh fruit juices, and these are also good sources of hydration.
- Limit the intake of processed foods: If you are someone who loves processed foods, then avoid eating processed foods. Additionally, avoiding sugary snacks and red meats might contribute to inflammation and poor health.
- Avoid alcohol consumption: If possible, avoid the consumption of alcohol and it can interfere with the patients ability to heal and increase the recurrence of in some cases.
- Include whole grains: Foods such as whole grains, brown rice, oats, and whole wheat pasta often help to provide fiber, which supports the digestion and enhancement of overall health.
- Eat small and frequent meals: If you have difficulty eating large quantities of foods, then try to eat foods in smaller portions throughout the day to maintain your energy levels.
Breast cancer fighting foods
If you are undergoing breast cancer treatments, you might tend to consume multivitamin tablets. But instead, eating vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables will offer benefits to the patients. Eating plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds that are filled with phytonutrients is good for cancer patients. Studies have shown that these phytonutrients are naturally occurring chemicals that support human health. There are different types of phytonutrients, like carotenoids and flavonoids; they help with different parts of the body. Here’s a common food that contains important phytochemicals that help breast cancer patients.
Phytochemicals | Source of food |
|---|---|
Carotenoids | Dark green vegetables, dark yellow and orange fruits and vegetables. |
Isothiocyanates | Mustard, cruciferous vegetables and horseradish. |
Phenolic compounds | Green tea, cereal grains, flaxseed, soybeans, garlic, and cruciferous vegetables. |
Flavanoids | Contains in most fruits and vegetables. |
Organo - sulfides | Onions, garlic, shallots, leeks and cruciferous vegetables. |
Isoflavones | Soybeans, flaxseeds and legumes. |
Indoles | Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, and brussel sprouts. |
Consult Today
A healthy and balanced diet is one of the most effective ways to support breast cancer patients during their cancer treatments and recovery. While eating nutrient-rich foods quite rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and protein can help to reduce the risk of inflammation, boost immunity, and maintain the patient’s energy levels.
At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist today! Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatment today!d experience a healthy and more fulfilling life. If you are concerned with what to eat during your treatment period, then choose to eat a balanced and nutrient-rich diet. It can help to boost immunity and energy levels in patients. Additionally, it will enhance your body’s ability to heal and help you to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s what you should eat during your breast cancer treatment, including:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains and other sources of fiber
- Lean protein
Here are possible side effects a breast cancer patient can affects, including:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Fatigue
If you diagnosed with breast cancer, then avoid eating these foods, including:
- Raw or undercooked meat, fish and poultry
- Raw or soft cooked eggs
- Unpasteurized milk products or juices
- Unwashed fruits and vegetables
- Leftover foods that are 2 or 3 days old
- Foods kept on an unsafe temperature
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