Nutrition in the Chemo Chair: From an Oncology Dietitian’s Perspective

By Jennifer Fitzgibbon

Hearing the words, “you have cancer” for the first time is life altering. New thoughts, fears, struggles, and possibly new responsibilities are often the primary focus at this time. Nutrition is often a new thought for many, as there are many strong associations with healthy eating, weight, activity, and how these things have influence on cancer.
Learning about your treatment options is a discussion at this time. For many, chemotherapy is part of the plan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781796085877

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Copyright © 2020 by Jennifer Fitzgibbon, MS, RDN, CSO, CDN. 795168

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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ISBN:    Softcover            978-1-7960-8588-4

             EBook                978-1-7960-8587-7

Rev. date: 01/29/2020

CONTENTS

I.   Newly Diagnosed

a.   What is Chemotherapy?

b.   When is it Chemotherapy Given?

c.   How is Chemotherapy Given?

II.   Weight Topics and Cancer

a. Obesity

i.   Position Statement

ii.   Economic Burden of Obesity and Cancer

iii.   Hormonal Associations with Obesity and Cancer

b.   Weight Loss or Malnutrition

i.   Why do People Lose Weight With Cancer?

1.   The Rut

2.   Inflammation due to cancer

a.   mega-3 fat

b. Nutritional Tips to Lower Your Inflammatory Process

ii. Why do Some People Lose Weight During Chemo?

1.   Nausea and Vomiting

a.   What Can Be Done to Manage Nausea and Vomiting?

2.   Medications that improve appetite

3.   Constipation

a.   Causes of Constipation

b.   Symptoms

c.   Prevention Tips

d.   Management

c.   Diarrhea

1.   Nutritional Recommendations for Diarrhea

2.   Fatigue

a.   How Fatigue Affects Your Nutritional Status:

3.   Pain

4.   Mouth Sores

a.   What are the Symptoms of Mucositis?

b.   Nutritional Management and Goals

c.   Nutritional Supplements to Help With Mucositis

i.   Glutamine

ii.   Help to Prevent Mucositis

iii.   Honey

iv.   Aloe Vera

v.   Ice Cubes

d.   Weight Gain During Chemo

e.   Causes

f.   Managing weight gain

g.   Managing fluid retention-related weight gain

III.   Calories During Chemotherapy

IV.   Protein

a.   Why is protein important during chemotherapy?

b.   Your protein requirements

c.   Food sources of protein

i.   Protein content of foods

1.   Food Serving Grams of Protein

2.   High protein snacks

3.   Ways to add protein to food

4.   Calories and protein

5.   Protein supplements

a.   Double strength milk recipe:

b.   If you are lactose intolerant

V.   Fluid

a.   The Importance of Hydration

i.   Water and the body

1.   Causes of dehydration

2.   Dehydration symptoms

3.   Treating dehydration

ii.   What is dehydration?

1.   What are some dehydration symptoms to look for?

a.   Things you can do to manage the effects of dehydration:

i.   Vomiting

ii.   Taste Changes

iii.   Management

iv.   Supplements

v.   Sugar

vi.   Prepare Yourself

VI.   Optimal Eating Plan

VII.   Selected References

NEWLY DIAGNOSED

Hearing the words, you have cancer for the first time is life altering. New thoughts, fears, struggles, and possibly new responsibilities are often the primary focus at this time. Nutrition is often a new thought for many, as there are many strong associations with healthy eating, weight, activity, and how these things have influence on cancer.

Learning about your treatment options is a discussion at this time. For many, chemotherapy is part of the plan.

WHAT IS CHEMOTHERAPY?

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to treat cancer. It can stop the growth of a tumor and kill cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy may also be used to reduce the risk of cancer returning (recurrence), and to shrink the size of a tumor to reduce cancer-related symptoms.

WHEN IS IT CHEMOTHERAPY GIVEN?

Chemotherapy may be given after surgery (called adjuvant chemotherapy) or before surgery (known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy). Chemotherapy usually starts within 4 to 12 weeks after surgery (if part of you treatment), or upon