Breast cancer is a common pathology, the treatment of which is rather difficult and time-consuming. Depending on the stage of the disease, various methods of struggle are used: drug treatment, chemotherapy, surgical removal of the formation. Proper nutrition is essential for breast cancer. Some products contribute to the improvement of the patient's condition, while others provide conditions for the development of cancer cells.
We are what we eat
Foods are the source of life, as they nourish our body with useful microelements, which are so necessary to ensure metabolic processes. When eating food, along with substances important for life, those that have a destructive effect on the functioning of various organs, and also stimulate the growth of pathogenic cells.
Unhe althy diet is one of the main causes of oncology. According to statistics, in 50% of women and 30% of men, the onset of the disease is associated precisely with foodfactors.
Nutrition for breast cancer needs to be properly adjusted.
In order for the body to easily absorb food, you need to eat more often, but in small portions. A number of products should be completely removed from your diet. Don't forget about calories. Their number should be in accordance with energy costs, as excess calories can cause weight gain.
Foods prohibited for use in case of illness
Nutrition for breast cancer should consist exclusively of he althy foods. To reduce the likelihood of increased growth of pathogenic cells, the following should be excluded from the diet:
- Products containing preservatives and artificial additives.
- Alcoholic drinks.
- Fried and greasy food.
- Products not the first freshness.
Do I need to diet during treatment?
It is very important to take care of the body in the process of cancer treatment. As far as possible, it is necessary to lead an active life, perform physical activity, and also adjust the diet. In breast cancer, weight loss often occurs. Some women sharply lose kilograms, while others, on the contrary, gain them in excess. Therefore, it is very important to track the calorie content of food. The menu must contain protein, which helps to restore the general condition of the patient. The number of calories should cover the body's energy expenditure.
Quite oftenduring treatment and at the end of it, patients feel tired and uncomfortable. Appetite drops sharply, and familiar dishes may taste completely different.
Side effects of treatment may include:
- nausea;
- mouth sores;
- vomit;
- poor appetite.
The oncology diet is an important element that helps the body recover after prolonged therapy.
Nutrition for stage 2 breast cancer should be adjusted by the attending physician. It is not uncommon to involve a nutritionist who has experience working with cancer patients to solve this problem.
How to eat right after chemotherapy?
All people need to adhere to proper nutrition. This rule is especially true for people who have been diagnosed with cancer. If a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, high-calorie foods should be avoided, as the treatment process may affect weight fluctuations.
Nutrition after chemotherapy for breast cancer should be under strict control:
During this period, it is very important to consume foods containing vitamin C. But it is better to refrain from citrus fruits, as some drugs used in the treatment process can cause the formation of ulcers and wounds in the oral cavity. A high concentration of acid will provoke irritation. According to doctors, apple sauce, peach juice, pear nectar will be an excellent substitute for citrus fruits
- Protein found in meat is very important for recovery after chemotherapy. But you need to be careful in choosing meat, since not all types can be consumed with such a disease. It is recommended to eat dietary varieties: rabbit, chicken and turkey meat.
- Seafood is very useful during the rehabilitation period.
- Eating after chemotherapy for breast cancer may include not only bread baked yesterday, the patient can also eat freshly baked loaves.
- During the recovery of the body after a long and exhausting treatment, it is forbidden to eat fried and fatty foods. Also avoid spicy foods. Overeating is very harmful, as the body spends a lot of energy on digesting food, which is so necessary for its recovery.
Food that purifies the blood
The diet for breast cancer should include foods that have the property of purifying the blood. Since this fluid is involved in multiple metabolic processes in the body, human he alth depends on its quality and chemical composition.
Carrots and beets have cleansing properties. Vegetables can be stewed, baked in the oven, boiled or eaten raw.
Nutrition in the postoperative period
Many women who have breast resection are interested in the question: what should be the nutrition after surgery?
Breast cancer is quite often treated with surgery, which givesan additional burden on an already exhausted body. For a quick recovery, you need to eat right:
- If a woman is overweight after treatment, she should reduce her food intake. Never confuse reducing portion sizes with a low-calorie diet. You need to eat five times a day, but in small quantities. Completely give up sweet, spicy, fatty and fried foods. Eat more vegetables and fruits, and replace white bread with black. The menu must include the following products: fish, legumes and broccoli.
- If a patient has noticeable weight loss during treatment, it is necessary to replenish his daily diet with high-calorie foods. Eat more cereals, fruits and vegetables. The menu must be present: lean meats, dairy products, hard cheeses. Animal fats should be replaced with vegetable fats. The patient is advised to drink more juices and mineral water.
Foods for breast cancer need to be chosen carefully. The diet must be agreed with the attending physician. If the patient is allergic to any food (for example, citrus fruits or seafood), they must be excluded so as not to provoke the development of another concomitant disease.
Compliance with the recommendations of the attending doctor will allow you to recover as quickly as possible after surgery and subsequently avoid relapses.
Whatproducts must be on the menu of a cancer patient?
Nutrition for stage 1 breast cancer has almost the same recommendations as for other types of cancer.
Products should contain as many useful substances as possible: minerals, vitamins, amino acids and other trace elements. Therefore, the menu must include:
- dietary meat (chicken, rabbit, turkey);
- red fish and seafood;
- legumes (beans, lentils and others);
- melons (pumpkin and watermelon);
- fruits and berries;
- vegetables (broccoli and other varieties of cabbage, beets, carrots, zucchini and bell peppers);
- different types of greens (parsley, lettuce, arugula);
- fermented milk products with low fat content;
- porridge (oatmeal, buckwheat and corn);
- low-fat varieties of hard cheeses.
List of products effective in the fight against cancer
Scientists have found that there are foods that help fight cancer effectively:
- Cruciferous vegetables. These plants include broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and watercress. These vegetables are high in vitamin C. Recommended to be eaten raw.
- Soya. This type of legume helps prevent the development of malignant cells, and also reduces toxicity caused by chemotherapy and radiation.
- Garlic and onion. ATThese foods contain allicin, which is a powerful detoxifier. The sulfur-containing substance cleanses the body of various harmful microbes and carcinogens.
- Brown algae. The presence of iodine in this product helps to regulate the processes of blood sugar metabolism, which is responsible for the energy state. A decrease in energy production leads to the creation of a favorable environment for the development of oncology. Algae also contains a high content of the most powerful antioxidant - selenium.
- Fruit seeds and nuts. Almonds contain a substance that kills malignant cells. Pumpkin, flax, sunflower and sesame seeds have lignans (phytoestrogens) in the outer peel, which can lower estrogen. In excess, this female hormone stimulates the development of ovarian, breast and uterine cancer.
- Tomatoes. These vegetables contain the strongest antioxidant - lycopene, which has antitumor properties.
- Eggs and fish are the richest source of omega-3 fatty acids, which depress malignant cells.
- Berries and citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C. Raspberries, pomegranate and strawberries contain ellagic acid, the property of which is to slow down the growth of oncogenic cells.
Interesting fact
In the 70s of the XX century, experiments were carried out, the results of which proved that cancer remission can be achieved with the help of an immune protein - interferon alpha, which signals the body about infections. Another experimentshowed the relationship of T-cell immunity and tumor reduction.
The food we eat can both contribute to the development of oncology and help fight malignant neoplasms. Proper nutrition will reduce the risk of pathology.
