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Article written by Maddie Strong, MS, RDN, LD and Lisa Lammert, RDN, LD
Nutrition is a critical part of your cancer treatment journey. Research shows that eating well during treatment can help you stay stronger and feel better during treatment. A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can help you optimize your nutrition before, during and after cancer treatment.
RDNs are food and nutrition experts who have graduated with at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, completed an accredited supervised dietetic internship, passed a national examination and who must complete ongoing continuing professional education requirements to maintain registration.
How can an RDN help me?
- Manage side effects from treatment, such as poor appetite or taste changes
- Prevent unintentional weight loss during treatment
- Promote healthy nutrition habits
- Separate cancer nutrition myths from facts
- Educate on healthy eating patterns to help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence
- Help achieve or maintain a healthy body weight
An RDN will partner with you to develop a safe and realistic eating plan. To guide and motivate you, an RDN will use creative and out-of-the-box strategies to help with meal planning, weight management and cancer treatment symptom management.
What can you expect while meeting with an RDN?
- A thorough review of medical history, current diet, and eating habits
- Development of a personalized nutrition plan that takes into consideration:
- Food preferences, allergies, and intolerances
- Lifestyle
- Finances
- Ability to shop for and prepare food
- Multiple or conflicting diet/nutrition needs
- Cancer treatment symptoms
- Focus on foods to include, not just what to avoid
- Support in identifying and overcoming barriers
- Guidance setting individualized goals
Most often a referral is needed from your health care provider to work with an RDN. Cost of RDN visits vary depending on insurance type/coverage. Ask your health care provider for a referral to a registered dietitian nutritionist and start maximizing your nutrition for a better quality of life!
How has a dietitian supported you?
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Thanks for all replies!
The plan is for a 4-5 day hospital stay after my Whipple procedure. I am wondering if there are dieticians who have expertise with the changes in digestion after a Whipple and who work specifically with pancreatic enzymes. I have asked my surgeon's nurse at least twice, and she said that my primary care provider could prescribe the enzymes; however my primary care said that she does not have the knowledge for this. The next time that I asked, she said that the surgeon's PA should be able to order enzymes, if needed. I am surprised and dismayed that there is not a more organized care plan for nutrition after a Whipple.
Does anyone have suggestions for a Mayo-Rochester dietician who specializes in pancreatic enzyme insufficiency after a Whipple? Thank you!
@jlea, Thank you for your questions regarding how to find a dietitian after having a Whipple procedure. I checked with the clinical nutrition managers who support both the inpatient and outpatient nutrition practice at Mayo Clinic Rochester. When a patient has a Whipple procedure they are seen in the hospital by a dietitian. The dietitian will review information about consistent carbohydrate intake throughout the day, not overdoing on fat intake, use of appropriate oral nutrition supplements, vitamin/mineral supplements, stool thickening foods and temporary low fiber intake along with information on how to prevent foods moving too quickly through the gastrointestinal tract. The recommendations are individualized based on each patient and their nutritional status. Patients who have a Whipple procedure are not automatically scheduled for an outpatient dietitian appointment, but a patient can request an order from their oncology team. The outpatient dietitians have experience working with patients who receive pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. I hope this helps provide some clarity about what type of information dietitians will provide you both in the hospital and once discharged from the hospital if you still have questions other nutrition concerns.
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1 Reaction"Keeping Me On Track." My RD is very much a part of my treatment plan. I'm a 4+4 (Stage 4 Prostate Cancer in 4th year of survivorship). Back in my intensive treatment days, year 1, my RD helped me manage the pain. In years 2, 3, and now 4 she helps keep me on track achieving my nutrition and diet goals. We meet every six month, review my quarterly labs, discuss diet and nutrition topics, sets setting some goals. Very helpful, supportive, highly recommend.
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