COOK YOUR WAY THROUGH CANCER
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Undergoing treatment isn't exactly great for the appetite, but patients must eat well - and eat meat
Too few people wonder if cancer victims are eating well. It’s not the first thing that springs to mind. But the Thai Society of Clinical Oncology stresses that proper nutrition comes second only to proper medical treatment.
“Why is food so important for cancer patients?” was the topic of a discussion the specialists’ network hosted recently at the Four Seasons Bangkok.
Vice president Dr Virote Sriuranpong and Dr Sirakarn Tejavanija of Phramongkutklao Hospital stressed that cancer is usually curable if detected at an early stage.
As soon as it is, though, the patient has to pay more attention to his eating habits, if only to offset the severe side effects caused by all three methods of treatment – and to aid in effective treatment and quick recovery.
Virote lamented that many patients stop eating meat, which lowers their ability to endure treatment and leaves them open to infection. “It’s necessary to take in all forms of nutritious substances,” he said.
Sirakarn agreed that a high volume of protein is crucial to restoring body tissue and fighting infection. Deficiency delays recovery, she pointed out.
It’s a “misperception”, she said, that animal protein is bad for cancer patients. “This is not true. Animal protein contains essential amino acids.
“Meanwhile plant protein is outstanding for non-saturated acids, so patients should have both plant and animal protein to assure a balanced diet.
Sirakarn emphasised the need for carbohydrates too, “a major source of energy”. Food that’s high in carbohydrates includes fruit, vegetables and whole grains, which also supply needed vitamins and minerals, fibre and phyto-nutrients.
“Equally important are fats and oils, which also serve as a rich source of energy. People with cardiac problems or high levels of cholesterol should opt for food with non-saturated fats, and use vegetable oil, canola oil, olive oil, peanut oil or sunflower oil.
“And one last recommendation – drink lots of water every day.”
Food that isn’t fresh is a particular hazard to cancer patients, Sirakarn said, because their white-blood-cell count is usually quite low due to either the disease or the treatment.
So they have to take extra care of their immune system – peel and thoroughly wash all fruit and strictly avoid anything processed or fermented.
For snacks, Sirakarn recommended bread, cereal, cookies, muffins, nuts, popcorn, pretzels, pudding, soup, fruit juice, sports drinks and yoghurt.
Movie star Shahkrit Yamnarm, who hosts the popular TV cooking show “Krua Laew Tae Krit”, was on hand with a suggestion of his own. He whipped up some macaroni soup with shredded chicken and handed out samples.
The macaroni is boiled for seven minutes and then combined with the cooked chicken, diced carrot, green peas, straw mushrooms, light soy sauce, pepper, garlic and coriander root.
Sirakarn said it’s a great dish for cancer patients, not least because of its novelty – something different from the usual daily fare. Macaroni is high in carbohydrate and a good substitute for rice or bread, she said, and the pepper, garlic and coriander make it tasty.
The chicken flavour cube Shahkrit used in the seasoning could be replaced with a powdered version containing less fat, she noted. Among the vegetables used, carrots are high in Vitamin A and green beans in protein and fibre, excellent for the digestive system.
But Sirakarn strongly advises trimming all fat from the chicken.
She noted that patients undergoing radiation treatment on the face or neck often find their saliva production impaired, leaving them always thirsty and with dry lips. So soup is an ideal way of countering the side effect.
“And once they’re finished their macaroni soup,” Sirakarn said, “they should eat some fruit. That way they’re getting all five groups of nutritious substances.”
SOLID ADVICE
- Find out more about cancer and how to beat it from the Thai Society of Clinical Oncology at www.TSCO.or.th.
