Definition of cancer
Cancer is a disease that affects the entire body, even if it has not yet spread. Cancer consumes a lot of energy because cancer cells often have a less efficient energy metabolism than healthy body cells. This energy is often lacking elsewhere, the diseased person eats less and has a much higher energy requirement than healthy people. At this point, the person affected can influence his or her illness a little through diet. There are countless theories and diets on the subject of cancer, but they are often controversial and not every “recommended” diet is actually recommended for cancer.
What should be considered?
Cancer is probably one of the most serious diseases a person can suffer from. The therapy is lengthy and demands a lot from the body. Often a cancer patient has no appetite of his own or due to nausea after chemotherapy and food no longer tastes as good as before.
Therefore, in such a difficult phase one should eat what one feels like eating. Excessive diets and restrictions are more of a burden than a help in cases of doubt. You should be cautious with your favorite foods, because your favorite food can be ruined by the changed taste perception.
One should beware of nutritional wisdom that claims to want to treat cancer with certain menus. This is very dangerous, as an adapted diet should only be used as a support and not be given the status of a treatment method. If you plan to follow a certain diet during your therapy, it is recommended to discuss this with your treating oncologist. He or she may have valuable advice on the subject or can refer you to a dietician specially trained in cancer.
Recommended foods for cancer
Both for the prevention of cancer as well as after the diagnosis of a cancer disease, the general rule is to eat a balanced diet. This includes plenty of fruit and vegetables as healthy and natural sources of vitamins and fibre, varied consumption of carbohydrates in the form of potatoes, good bread, pasta and (wholemeal) rice and sufficient protein (white meat, fish, cheese and eggs). It is indeed worthwhile to use organic products for some products.
Bread in organic stores or bakeries is produced without preservatives and artificial leavening agents, unlike, for example, bread from the carton or supermarket. In general, you should keep an eye on the ingredients of what you eat. Especially with bread, you will find that it often contains ingredients that appear to be chemical in nature.
With milk and dairy products it is also worthwhile to choose organic products. It has been found that cows that graze in the pasture give a better milk than stable cows fed with concentrated feed. The concentration of vitamin D and other valuable ingredients is significantly higher in pasture milk.
Spices are an interesting area in the diet for cancer. Especially turmeric, the yellow spice powder from curries and co, and its ingredient curcumin have been shown in studies to inhibit cancer. It is said to reduce the growth of polyps in colorectal cancer and is even effective against the spread of cancer in the body.
However, it is crucial to season one’s food regularly with turmeric in order to achieve an effect. Chili, with its pungency, can also be beneficial in cancer. Many cancer patients report of an inner coldness they feel during the disease.
Warming foods such as chili (in moderation, of course, and in the dosage that you like), elderflower tea, ginger (tea), leek, lentils or potatoes can alleviate this inner coldness a little. In general, however, you should eat what you feel like eating. Weight gain is a good sign during cancer and should be welcomed! If you have very little appetite or even problems eating or swallowing, there are high-calorie shakes available in clinics and pharmacies that a patient can take in such a situation.
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