SUBSCRIBE
Friday, May 16, 2025
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi

Avoid these foods during cancer treatment

by Staff Reporter
21st May 2021
in My Health
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
While nutritional support for cancer patients focuses on avoiding malnutrition, some foods are allies, and some are to be avoided. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

While nutritional support for cancer patients focuses on avoiding malnutrition, some foods are allies, and some are to be avoided. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Revealing a cancer diagnosis in your circle often opens the floodgates to well-meaning nutritional advice that can lead to going down unhelpful rabbit holes. There is a mass of information out there which can be confusing and frustrating.

Omy Naidoo, a dietitian and spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi
Omy Naidoo, a dietitian and spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Omy Naidoo, a dietitian and spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (Adsa), says our food preferences and eating habits are deeply entrenched. It is therefore important to get optimal supportive nutrition during a vulnerable time.

“Cancer propels the body into a catabolic state where both muscle mass and fat are breaking down, therefore the nutritional needs of cancer patients increases. To meet this, there needs to be a careful focus on protein, calorie and vitamin intake,” he says.

“Unfortunately, this need for increased nutrition comes at a time when it’s highly common to experience a general loss of appetite and the side effects of treatment that can seriously impair a patient’s interest in eating. This makes a focus on nutrition a critical part of a patient’s cancer journey.”

While nutritional support for cancer patients focuses on avoiding malnutrition, some foods are allies, and some are to be avoided.

This is what Faaizah Laher, also a dietitian representing Adsa, advises. She strongly believes there are certain foods to avoid during cancer treatment and recovery, while other foods are an absolute must.

What to avoid during cancer treatment and recovery

  • Avoid or limit alcohol.
  • Avoid or limit highly refined, highly processed foods.
  • Limit foods high in sugar, including sweets, cakes and sugary drinks.
  • Limit foods that are high in salt.
  • Limit foods that are high in animal fats.
  • Avoid or limit cured meats such as bacon, ham and sausages.

What to focus on

  • Eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruits every day.
  • Enjoy lean animal protein such as chicken breast and fish.
  • Include more plant-based foods high in protein such as beans, lentils, peas, chickpeas, quinoa and soy-based foods.
  • Choose whole-grain options such as brown bread, brown rice and wholewheat pasta.
  • Increase your intake of nuts and seeds.
  • Focus on sources of healthy fats such as olive oil, avocados and fatty fish like sardines.

Bypass nutritional roadblocks

Naidoo says, “Cancer patients undergoing treatment often experience a severe loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, as well as dysgeusia which is taste alterations. Very often these patients need high protein, vitamin-containing supplements which they drink two to three times per day.”

Some patients need tailored diets to help them get through spells of nausea and vomiting, and this is exactly how your dietitian can help you.

“It’s important to remember that cancer patients need more nutrition. However, they typically end up taking in much less than usual due to these symptoms.

“The nett effect of this is that patients can lose muscle mass and become malnourished. This is precisely what you want to avoid as malnutrition then becomes an independent risk factor for poorer outcomes.”

If you or a loved one are dealing with these challenges, then you need to reset your daily nutritional regime:

  • Focus on smaller, lighter meals eaten more frequently than the standard three meals a day.
  • Experiment with healthy snack foods that are always on hand such as wholewheat crackers, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.
  • Try out delicious nutrient-rich smoothies.
  • Add nuts and seeds to yoghurt, cereals, smoothies, and even casseroles.
  • Make frozen lolly treats from fresh fruit juices, fruit, yoghurt and smoothies.
  • Use nutritional supplements prescribed by your health professional.

Most importantly, remember that combatting malnutrition is your goal. Take action and get professional nutritional advice to help the cancer patient maintain their weight as best as possible.

ALSO READ: Increase omega-3 to cut heart risks

Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter

Related Articles

Pregnancy
My Health

Fighting pregnancy fatigue: What your body might be telling you

by Vateka Halile
9th May 2025
Thyroid health: When weight gain isn’t just about food
My Health

Thyroid health: When weight gain isn’t just about food

by Vateka Halile
24th April 2025

Stories

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites
Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics
Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy
Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen
No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches
How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth
Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing
Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers
No Result
View All Result

Latest

Rooibos
Trending

Hey brew! Gen Z and Millennials fuel rooibos tea trend in SA

by Ivor Price
16th May 2025

Mzansi's younger generations just love rooibos! From traditional brews to innovative energy drinks, rooibos is the caffeine-free champion capturing the...

Read moreDetails
Buthelezi EMS

‘Unlawful’ contracts: FS ambulance firms must pay back the money

15th May 2025
Top winter crops to plant now in Mzansi

Top winter crops to plant now in Mzansi

15th May 2025
Immune booster

Boost your body with homemade immune shots

13th May 2025
Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food

Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food

12th May 2025
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Awards & Impact
Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy
Copyright

Somagwaza

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites

cropped-scott-webb-yekGLpc3vro-unsplash.jpeg

Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics

Dr Sinethemba Makanya

Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy

Hey brew! Gen Z and Millennials fuel rooibos tea trend in SA

‘Unlawful’ contracts: FS ambulance firms must pay back the money

Top winter crops to plant now in Mzansi

Boost your body with homemade immune shots

Dietitian on a mission: Love, loss, and healing through food

Fighting pregnancy fatigue: What your body might be telling you

error: Content is protected !!
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers