a water bottle with you during the day. This may help

you get into the habit of drinking plenty of fluids.

Try softer or cold foods like yogurt, pudding, kheer,

ras malai, milkshake, ice lollies, khichri, pallao or

vegetable rice.

What foods can I take to cope with the sideeffects of treatment?

Try soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow:

Milkshakes•

Bananas, peachs, pears, and apricot nectars •

Watermelon •

Cottage cheese or yogurt •

Mashed potatoes or noodles •

Macaroni and cheese •

Custards, puddings, kheer, ras malai•

Scrambled eggs •

Oatmeal or other cooked cereals •

Pureed or mashed vegetables and meats•

Avoid foods or liquids that can irritate your mouth:

Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, or other citrus•

fruit or juice

Tomato sauces or juice •

Spicy or salty foods •

Cut foods into small pieces.

Mix food with butter, margarine, thin gravy, or

sauce to make it easier to swallow.

Use a straw to drink liquids.

Use a smaller-than-usual spoon, such as a baby

spoon.

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Patient Guide Series

EATING HINTSTry foods cold or at room temperature. Hot foods

can irritate a tender mouth and throat.

Try drinking warm yakhni, stew or salty broth; it

can soothe throat pain.

Try sucking on ice chips.

If your teeth and gums are sore, your dentist may

be able to recommend a special product for

cleaning your teeth.

Rinse your mouth often with water to remove food

and bacteria and to promote healing of mouth

sores.

What can I eat once my treatment ends?

After your cancer treatment ends and you are

feeling better, you may want to think again about

the traditional guidelines for healthy eating. Just

as you wanted to go into treatment with all the

reserves that such a diet could give you, you will

want to do the best for yourself and your body at

this important time.

Here are some important tips:

Focus on eating a variety of foods every day to get

all nutrients you need.

Emphasise fruits and vegetables as they provide

vitamins, minerals, and fibre.

Emphasise breads and cereals, especially the

whole grain varieties, such as whole wheat bread,

oats, and brown rice.

Limit fat, salt, sugar, and smoked or pickled foods.

Try lower-fat cooking methods, such as broiling,

steaming, and poaching.

Think about ways you used to make mealtime

special and try them again.

Do not be afraid to ask a friend or family member

for help with cooking or shopping.

Adapted from patient information developed by

the US Department of Health and Human Services

Ras Malai

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospitaland Research Centre

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre7A Block R-3, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan

Tel: +92 42 3590 5000 Ext 4012 | Fax: +92 42 3594 5151www.shaukatkhanum.org.pk

Your diet is an important part of your treatment for

cancer. Eating the right kinds of foods before,

during, and after your treatment can help you feel

better and stay stronger. Recommendations about

food and eating for cancer patients can be very

different from the usual suggestions for healthful

eating. Nutrition recommendations usually stress

eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain

breads and cereals; including a moderate amount

of meat and dairy products; and cutting back on

fat, sugar, and salt.

Nutrition recommendations for cancer patients may

focus on helping you eat more higher calorie foods

that emphasise protein. These might include eating

or drinking more milk, cream, cheese, and cooked

eggs and increasing your use of sauces and

gravies, or changing your cooking methods to

include more butter, margarine, or oil. Sometimes,

it is suggested that you eat less of certain high-fibre

foods because these foods can aggravate

problems such as diarrhoea or a sore mouth.

Nutrition recommendations for cancer patients are

designed to help build up your strength and help

you withstand the effects of your cancer and its

treatment. When you are healthy, getting enough

nutrients you need is usually not a problem.

During cancer treatment, however, this can

become a challenge, especially if you have side

effects or simply do not feel well.

How can I prepare myself for cancertreatment?

Until your treatment actually starts, you will not

know exactly what, if any, side effects you may

People who eat well are better able to cope with

side effects. You may even be able to handle

higher doses of certain treatments.

Plan Ahead

Stock the pantry and freezer with favourite foods

so that you will not need to shop as often. Include

foods you know you can eat even when you are

sick. Keep foods handy that need little or no

preparation such as pudding, peanut butter, tuna

fish, cheese, and eggs. Do some cooking in

advance and freeze in meal-sized portions.

Do Not Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Talk to friends or family members about helping

with shopping and cooking. Or, ask a friend or

family member to manage that job for you.

Talk to a registered dietician or a nutritionist.

How can I keep a proper diet during mytreatment?

Some eating problems are caused by the

treatment itself. Other times, patients may have

trouble eating because they are upset, worried, or

afraid. Losing your appetite and nausea are

normal responses to feeling nervous or fearful.

Once you have a better sense of what to expect

and how you will react, these anxiety-related

eating problems should get better. While you are

at the Hospital undergoing treatment, talk to your

doctor, nurse, or a registered dietician. They can

answer your questions and give you suggestions

for specific meals, snacks, and foods, and for

dealing with any eating problems you may have.

have or how you may feel. One way to prepare is

to think of your treatment as a time for you to

concentrate on yourself and on getting well.

Here are some other ways to get ready:

Keep a positive attitude

Many people have few or no eating-related side

effects. Even if you do, they may be mild, and

most go away after cancer treatment ends. Also,

there are new drugs now that can work well to

control side effects.

Eat a Healthy Diet

If you have been eating a healthy diet, you will go

into treatment with reserves to help keep up your

strength, prevent body tissue from breaking down,

rebuild tissue, and maintain your defences against

infection.

Oatmeal Porridge with Fruit

Here are some things to keep in mind:

Try to eat meals and snacks with sufficient protein

and calories.

Many people find their appetite is better in the

morning. Take advantage of this and eat more at

that time.

If you do not feel well and can eat only one or two

things, stick with them until you are able to eat

other foods. Try a liquid meal replacement for

extra calories and protein.

On days when you cannot eat at all, do not worry

about it. Come back to eating as soon as you can,

and let your doctor know if this problem does not

get better within a couple of days.

Try to drink plenty of fluids (6-8 cups), especially on

those days when you do not feel like eating. Carry

Scrambled Eggwith Toast