Cancer Nutrition
Winter Soup
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium onion
2 (14.5 ounce) cans fat-free chicken broth, or same amount of homemade broth
3/4 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup macaroni, uncooked
1 (15 ounce) can white beans (cannellini or Great Northern beans), drained
Pepper to taste
Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium low heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add broth and tomato sauce, bring to boil,
then stir in macaroni. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add pepper to taste, then stir in white beans. Heat mixture thoroughly.
Serve in soup bowls with croutons, cornbread,
crackers or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 to 6 servings. Approximate nutrients per serving: 295 calories, 8
grams of fat.
Source: “Nutrition for the Person with Cancer during Treatment: A Guide for Patients and Families,” American Cancer Society.
Healthy eating habits are vital for mesothelioma patients. However, many cancer treatments have side effects that can weaken the appetite, causing weight loss, fatigue and an overall decline in health. Good nutrition can help maximize energy, stave off infection and provide the strength patients need – when they need it the most.
Many people don’t know that nutritional guidelines for someone fighting cancer are very different from those recommended for a healthy person. Insufficient calories and protein are often problems, so the focus should be on eating enough food to maintain energy. Patients who are struggling to eat should consult with a doctor or nutritionist – but the following general suggestions may be helpful:
- Find one or two things you can tolerate and stick with those foods until you can handle additional items
- Incorporate liquid meal supplements
- Drink at least six to eight cups of liquid each day
- Avoid foods that may irritate side effects caused by your treatment – for example, lowering fiber if chemotherapy-related diarrhea is an issue, or eliminating acidic fruits or vegetables if radiation aggravates your throat
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