Essential Nutrients for a Cancer Patient

by Dr. Kajal Pandya Yeptho (Head, Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Medanta – The Medicity)

Eating well, means eating a variety of food to provide all the nutrients that the body needs to fight cancer. These nutrients are as mentioned below:

ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS, THEIR BENEFITS AND SOURCES

PROTEINS

Proteins are needed for growth, to repair body tissue, and to keep immune systems healthy. Extra protein is usually needed to heal tissues and help fight infection.

SOURCES: Fish, poultry, lean red meat, eggs, low-fat dairy products, nuts, nut butters, dried beans, peas, lentils(dals), soy foods.

Food items to include in diet: Milk, lassi, curd, chaas, paneer, cheese, ice cream, dals, sprouts, cheela, eggs, chicken and fish preparations.

CARBOHYDRATES

I believe in fatalism, to tell you the truth. I thought to myself, whatever God has ordained for me will happen and I had full faith in my doctor. Full faith in whosoever it was, maybe a God, maybe a light or maybe nature or whatever it is, I can’t name it but it is there. So, immediately, in two days everything was done. We came home, it was a Saturday. Everything was settled and Wednesday I was supposed to get operated upon. My children had previously arranged to go for a picnic on Sunday and I said, let’s go. They were quite reluctant but I said, “Why not? I don’t know how many days I have left, let’s go.” So on Sunday, I got up and cooked everything for them. I wasn’t sure if I would get another chance to cook. So we went Nandi Hills for a picnic and we had a ball.

SOURCES: Whole grains(anaaj), whole pulses(dals), root vegetables, fruit, sugar, jaggery, honey.

Food items to include in diet: Roti, parantha, poori, bread, biscuit, cookies, pasta, rice, porridge, poha, vermicelli, sooji, idli, potatoes, arbi, sweet potatoes, corn, desserts, sweets, jams and jellies.

FATS

Fats and oils are made of fatty acids and serve as a rich source of energy for the body. Choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats more rather than saturated fats or trans fats.

Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) are found mainly in vegetable oils like olive, canola, and peanut oils.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are found mainly in vegetable oils like safflower, sunflower, corn, and flaxseed. PUFAs are also the main fats found in seafood.

Saturated fats are mainly found in animal sources like meat and poultry, whole or reduced-fat milk, cheese, butter, coconut, palm kernel oil, and palm oil. Saturated fats can raise cholesterol and increase your risk for heart disease. Trans fats are vegetable oils processed into solids such as marganine or shortening. Transfatscan raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. Avoid trans fat as much as you can.

SOURCES: Refined oils, ghee, butter, mayonnaise, cheese, nuts and oil seeds.

Food items to include in diet: Cooking oils, salad oils, butter, desi ghee, cheese, mayonnaise, cheese spreads.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

The body needs small amounts of vitamins and minerals to help it function properly. They help the body use the energy (calories) found in foods.

SOURCES:Fresh fruit and vegetables, cereals, pulses, milk, meat and meat products.

Food items to include in diet: Cooked vegetables, salads, fresh fruit and all other preparatory items as mentioned above.

FLUIDS

Water and liquids or fluids are vital to health. All body cells need water to function. If enough fluids are not taken or if fluids are lost through vomiting or diarrhea, you can become dehydrated. You may need extra fluids if you are vomiting or have diarrhea. Keep in mind that all liquids (roafhzaa water, soups, milk, even ice cream and gelatin) count toward your fluid goals.

SOURCES:Normal drinking water, soups, juices, lassi, milk, chaas, coconut water, RoohAfza, shakes and green tea.

ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E; selenium, and zinc; and some enzymes that absorb and attach to free radicals, preventing them from attacking normal cells. Phytonutrientsor phytochemicals are plant carotenoids like carotene, lycopene resveratrol and phytosterols and are thought to have health protecting qualities.Found in vegetables and fruits.

SOURCES:Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables, whole grains and pulses, as they are a good source of antioxidants.