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Prehab and diet

Since your diagnosis you may have had thoughts about what you should be eating and what foods can help with your treatment and maybe if there are any foods you should avoid eating. You may not have had time to consider what and how you are eating, there is a lot of information on what to eat which may be confusing. Below is a guide to help you think about the foods you eat during treatment.

The most important message is to eat as well as possible. Choosing a wide range of foods in the right proportions, can help you feel better and maximise your energy levels. This is called a varied diet and includes eating enough protein, calories and other nutrients.

Eating well is something you can do for yourself which can positively impact your treatment outcome. By choosing a varied diet this can help you:

  1. Maintain a healthy body weight
  2. Protect muscle and strength
  3. Reduce the side effects of treatment
  4. Promote physical resilience to complete planned treatment

If you have been advised to follow a special diet by your hospital team, such as a low fibre diet, you may find some of this information confusing. Please ask your hospital team to speak to a dietitian.

If you have been trying to lose weight before treatment begins this is not generally encouraged. However, you may have been advised by your hospital team and you should continue to be supported by them to reduce the risk of losing muscle and strength.

If you have been told to follow a particular diet by friends or family, or you have found information online or on social media about eating well with cancer, please take a look at the British Dietetic Association: Cancer Diets - Myths and More.

What foods should I eat

Eating regular meals each day and including a variety of foods from the various food groups should help you to get all of the nutrients you need.

 

The ‘Eatwell Guide’ shows the proportions of the main food groups that form a balanced diet:

Portion sizes

It is important to be aware of portion sizes, as eating too much or not enough of any type of food can increase your risk of health problems. This is because your body may be getting too much or too little of what it needs to stay healthy.

If you’d like to know more about portion sizes take a look at this link: BDA Portion Sizes Fact Sheet.

If you are having problems with your appetite, lost weight or have difficulty eating and drinking, please inform someone from your hospital team as they may refer you to a registered dietitian for further advice and support. This is important since unintentional weight loss can affect your ability to cope with your treatment.

Here are some helpful hints to consider if you have a poor appetite, are underweight or losing weight:

  1. Have high calorie/protein snacks between 3 meals a day such as: nuts, yoghurts, cheese and crackers, toast with butter and jam, crumpets, full fat milk, hot chocolate, milkshakes and smoothies
  2. Switch ‘low fat’ options to ‘full fat’
  3. Include protein options such as meat, fish, milk, cheese, tofu, eggs, beans and nuts
  4. Try enriching your foods
  5. Drink fluids after your meals to avoid filling up before or during

If you follow a plant-based diet examples of alternatives to use for enriching your diet include:

  • Nut, oat or soya milk and yoghurts
  • Olive/sesame/coconut oil can be added to pastas, salads and used in cooking
  • Quorn©, tofu or soya meat products
  • Lentils/pulses can be added to soups and stews
  • Peanut/nut butters, jams, golden/maple syrup can be added to bread, cereal, puddings. 

Further information if you have a poor appetite, are underweight or losing weight: Making the most of your food.

Useful information and resources