What Should I Eat During Cancer Treatment? (Ayurveda Perspective)

What is the goal of nutrition during cancer treatment?

When you are undergoing cancer treatment, eating well is not about following a "perfect cancer diet."

The main goals are to:

Maintain your strength

Get enough calories and protein

Prevent unnecessary weight loss

Stay hydrated

Help your body cope with treatment

Maintain as much normal activity as possible

Cancer and its treatment can affect appetite, taste, digestion, swallowing and the ability to eat normally. Some people may need more calories and protein than usual. 

What should I eat?

There is no single diet suitable for every person with cancer.

Depending on your condition, your doctor or dietitian may recommend a combination of:

Rice, roti, idli, dosa and other staple foods

Vegetables and fruits, when appropriate

Dal, pulses and legumes

Milk, curd and other dairy products if tolerated

Eggs, fish, chicken or other protein sources if you eat them

Nuts and seeds when appropriate

Healthy fats

Adequate fluids

If you are losing weight or eating very little, getting enough calories and protein may be more important than following restrictive dietary rules.

What about Ayurveda?

Ayurveda traditionally gives considerable importance to food, digestion and individualized dietary practices.

Some Ayurvedic dietary principles may be useful as part of supportive care, but they should be adapted to:

Your cancer

Your treatment

Your nutritional status

Your digestion and appetite

Other medical conditions

Your oncologist's recommendations

What should I avoid?

Avoid extreme diets that:

Eliminate major food groups without a medical reason

Cause significant weight loss

Promise to cure cancer

Recommend prolonged fasting during treatment without medical supervision

Replace prescribed cancer treatment

Remember

Your body needs nourishment while it is dealing with cancer and its treatment.

Do not feel guilty about eating foods that help you maintain your strength.

Reliable sources: National Cancer Institute (NCI), World Health Organization (WHO), relevant national cancer-care guidelines, and appropriate peer-reviewed evidence.