Nutrition Through Breast Cancer

Nutrition Through Breast Cancer By: Yhaimar Barile, BSN RN In this Article: 1. Introduction: Nutrition Through Breast Cancer. 2. The Basics: Eating Well, Staying Active, and Managing your Weight 3. During Treatment: Managing Side Effects and Other Tips 4. After Treatment: Stay Strong in Recovery 5. Easy Tips to Get Started 6. In Closing 7. To Learn More Introduction: Nutrition Through Breast Cancer A breast cancer diagnosis changes many things in your life. Some of those changes are how you think about the food you eat and your physical activity. Good nutrition and staying active are important during this time. Nutrition during cancer treatment helps your body:  Respond better to medications  Manage treatment side effects  Keep your energy when you need it most After your treatment ends, continuing to eat healthy and doing regular activity may help reduce your risk of cancer returning. These same habits also protect your overall health as you age. Your body may need different things during treatment, but the goal stays the same: eat to keep your body strong and stay as physically active as you can. Because nourishing your body is very important during this time, your healthcare team may include a dietitian or nutritionist (experts in food and nutrition). They will talk to you about what is best for you to eat. Here are some of the things they might share. The Basics: Eating Well, Staying Active, and Managing Your Weight Eating different healthy foods gives your body the nutrients it needs to heal and stay strong. Most experts recommend: • Eat mostly plant foods: Go for colorful vegetables, fruits, whole grains (oats or brown rice), and plant-based proteins like beans and lentils. Add healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and olive oil. If you eat meat, choose lean options like skinless chicken or fish. • Cut back on certain foods: Try to limit processed foods, red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and foods high in added sugar or salt. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor. Even small amounts can raise the risk of breast cancer returning, especially for women who've already had it. • Stay active: Movement can lift your mood and lower your risk of other health problems. Your goal is to move your body most days. Physical activity includes walking, stretching, dancing, or any activity you like. You don't have to do it all at once. Even a few minutes at a time adds up. • Keep a healthy weight: Some people gain weight during or after treatment, and others might lose it. Try not to stress about it too much. Focus on eating balanced meals and staying active when you can. If you’re not sure what a healthy weight looks like for you, ask your doctor or a registered dietitian who can help. These healthy habits are a great start, but cancer treatment can bring some ups and downs that may change how you feel and eat. Let’s look at some ways to adjust when you’re going through treatment. During Treatment: Managing Side Effects and Other Tips Cancer treatment can affect how you feel about food. Some days, you may feel too tired to eat. Other days, food might not taste right, or you may have an upset stomach. These changes are common, and they may come and go. Here are some ways to make eating a little easier while you’re going through treatment:  If you feel sick to your stomach (nausea): Try eating bland foods like crackers, toast, noodles, or rice. Sipping ginger tea or sucking ginger chews may also help calm nausea.  If food doesn't taste right: Add lemon juice, herbs, or mild seasoning for better flavor. Sometimes, room-temperature foods may go down easier than very cold or hot foods.  If your mouth is sore: Go for soft foods like smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, or mashed potatoes. Skip salty or crunchy foods that might hurt your mouth.  If you're not very hungry: Try eating small meals every couple of hours instead of large meals. Don't wait until you feel very hungry. It is better to set a schedule that helps you stay nourished.  If you're losing weight: Add healthy calories to meals (nut butters, avocado, or olive oil). A registered dietitian can help you find healthy food options. Also, keep this in mind:  Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, especially water. Some people need electrolyte drinks if they're losing fluids from vomiting or diarrhea. If you're not sure about how to stay hydrated, check with your doctor.  Food safety is important: Some cancer treatments weaken the immune system, which makes it easier to get sick from food. Wash fruits and vegetables well, stay away from raw or undercooked meats and eggs, and make sure leftovers are refrigerated. If eating gets hard or you're losing too much weight, don’t wait — ask your doctor for a referral to see a dietitian who works with cancer patients. You don't have to figure it out alone. Once you've completed your treatment, your focus will shift to healing and staying well for the long haul. Let’s talk about what that looks like. After Treatment: Stay Strong in Recovery When treatment ends, your body continues to heal. What you eat and how you take care of yourself still matters. Many survivors find that staying with healthy habits helps them feel more in control of their recovery. Experts suggest doing this: Stick to a plant-based diet. Eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and healthy fats to reduce inflammation and help your immune system. Try to limit eating highly processed foods and added sugars. What about eating soy products? Whole soy foods like tofu, soy milk, and edamame are safe for most patients. If you’re not sure that eating soy products is best for you, talk with your doctor. Also, keep moving your body. Physical activity helps your heart, bones, and mental health. It can also help with fatigue, sleep, and mood. Choose something you enjoy and make it part of your routine. Activities you can try are: • Short daily walks • Gentle stretching or yoga • Gardening or light housework • Dancing to music you like Weight gain is common after treatment, especially if you had early menopause or hormone therapy. If this is a concern: • Talk with your doctor care team. • Balance diet and physical activity • Be patient with your body as it recovers At first, making these changes might feel overwhelming, but healthy habits can be more manageable with simple steps. Easy Tips to Get Started Here are some simple ways to begin eating better and moving more:  Eat a vegetable or fruit at every meal and snack.  Choose whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, or whole-wheat bread.  Include protein from beans, eggs, poultry, or nuts.  Drink water throughout the day.  Take short walks or daily stretches to build movement into your routine.  If your appetite is low, eat small meals every few hours.  Add calorie-rich foods like avocado, olive oil, or smoothies if you're losing weight.  Ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian if you need help with meals, side effects, or weight changes. Remember, you’re not alone. Your journey can be easier and more successful with support from others. In Closing Taking care of your health is a lifelong journey, and you don't have to do it alone. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about nutrition during your breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. They can help you find good information. Whether you're just starting treatment or if you have been in recovery for years, small changes can make a big difference. Choose foods that nourish your body, move your body in ways that feel good, and ask for help when you need it. Your health matters, and support is always available to help you feel your best— one step at a time. To Learn More 1. American Cancer Society - Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors - Can I Lower My Risk of Breast Cancer Progressing or Coming Back? - Nutrition for People with Cancer - Benefits of Good Nutrition During Cancer Treatment 2. Breastcancer.org - Healthy Eating During Treatment - Healthy Eating After Treatment - Diet and Nutrition - Nutrition and Breast Cancer Risk Reduction 3. Cleveland Clinic - The Best Foods To Eat When You Have Breast Cancer - Cancer Patient Diet Tips and Recommendations - Nutrition Tips for Cancer Survivors 4. Johns Hopkins Medicine - Cancer Diet: Foods to Add and Avoid During Cancer Treatment - General Nutrition Guidelines During Cancer Treatment - Nutrition and Cancer Survivorship 5. Mayo Clinic - Diet Tips During Cancer Treatment - No appetite? How to get nutrition during cancer treatment - Mayo Clinic Minute: Plant-based diet is encouraged for patients with cancer

*Disclaimer: The information in this post is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Readers should seek the guidance of a licensed medical professional regarding any questions or concerns about their health or treatment options.*