Nutrition in cancer

Posted by Helen, Volunteer Mentor @naturegirl5, Sep 25, 2019

I met with a Mayo Clinic dietician last week. My cancer was treated with surgery (radical hysterectomy) and I do not need radiation or chemotherapy. My goal is to move forward with healthy choices in what I eat and drink and the consult taught me a lot. I'm wondering how others here manage their nutrition.

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@dianamiracle

And try natural mouthwashes as they do not contain alcohol.

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@skoshi and @dianamiracle I don’t know about any store bought natural mouthwashes, but the oncologists that I worked with had the patients use a mixture of baking soda and salt. 1/4tsp of each in warm tap water. Works really well to prevent prednisone-caused mouth ulcers. Works great!

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Ugh. I've been learning about nutrition for about 18 months. My interest came after a Crohn's Disease diagnosis at the age of 62! The medical profession says there is no known cause or cure, but I'm not buying that. I started research nutrition and diet after a doctor asked me if I heard of the DASH diet. Dietary approach to stopping hypertension (DASH). I started to listen to podcasts on nutrition and I joined whole food plant based Facebook groups. Through one of the groups I was referred to the Crohn's Colitis Dietitians. I worked with a dietian for 6 months to learn all about my microbiome and what foods support health and what foods feed my microbiome. I think of my microbiome as my pets. I'm responsible for their well being and in return they will help me be healthy. But working with a dietian didn't seem like enough to achieve good health. So I kept reading and listening to podcasts.

It was through podcast I learned about functional medicine. It's not a completing discipline to our traditional medical approach but a complementary approach. I started working with a holistic doctor only months before being discharged with cancer.

My doctor has me following a metabolic syndrome diet. It's low on carbohydrates. It's packed with vegetables and protein comes from animal products. It's very prescriptive.

I have followed that diet through out chemotherapy. I feel amazing. Even though the drugs are poisoning me every 3 weeks. I feel better than I have felt in years. I am all in on nutrition. I'm also all in on functional/ holistic medicine.

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@starko

Nutrition is so important, not only for preventing a recurrence of cancer but because after a time it makes you feel good and provides energy! Perhaps at first you may not appreciate the goodness of a Mediterranean Diet but after a time your body adjusts beautifully and thanks you. Natural foods all have their own unique flavors. Fried foods quickly lose their previous appeal. Of primary importance is eliminating sugar! Avoid processed foods, bacon, meats, processed cheeses. Avoid processed carbohydrates. Indulge in fresh fruits and vegetables and wild fish like salmon. Enjoy that glass of red wine! My incredible Mayo gyn/ oncologist suggested fasting 16 hours, five days a week. I try to follow his direction and find I sleep so much better and managed to keep my girlish figure! I also exercise six days a week, meditate and try to engage in new learning by taking various classes. I play the grand concert harp ( not that well, tho ). Friends, family and good social interact also help. Life can be beautiful!

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I'm with you on that. I use a fast mimicking product called Prolon. I fasted during the first three chemotherapy cycles. I lost to much weight and could gain it back in time to fast the last three cycles.

I plan to put Prolon fast mimicking into the rotation every six months. There is some very interesting stuff on the effects of long term fasting.

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@denisestlouie

Ugh. I've been learning about nutrition for about 18 months. My interest came after a Crohn's Disease diagnosis at the age of 62! The medical profession says there is no known cause or cure, but I'm not buying that. I started research nutrition and diet after a doctor asked me if I heard of the DASH diet. Dietary approach to stopping hypertension (DASH). I started to listen to podcasts on nutrition and I joined whole food plant based Facebook groups. Through one of the groups I was referred to the Crohn's Colitis Dietitians. I worked with a dietian for 6 months to learn all about my microbiome and what foods support health and what foods feed my microbiome. I think of my microbiome as my pets. I'm responsible for their well being and in return they will help me be healthy. But working with a dietian didn't seem like enough to achieve good health. So I kept reading and listening to podcasts.

It was through podcast I learned about functional medicine. It's not a completing discipline to our traditional medical approach but a complementary approach. I started working with a holistic doctor only months before being discharged with cancer.

My doctor has me following a metabolic syndrome diet. It's low on carbohydrates. It's packed with vegetables and protein comes from animal products. It's very prescriptive.

I have followed that diet through out chemotherapy. I feel amazing. Even though the drugs are poisoning me every 3 weeks. I feel better than I have felt in years. I am all in on nutrition. I'm also all in on functional/ holistic medicine.

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@denisestlouie From your description you certainly did your own research on nutrition and diet. I like the metaphor of gut microbiomes as little pets. Keeping them "happy" and healthy keeps you healthy in return.

What does a typical day look like for you with your diet? What do you eat and do you keep track with nutrients on your own or do you use an app?

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@naturegirl5

@denisestlouie From your description you certainly did your own research on nutrition and diet. I like the metaphor of gut microbiomes as little pets. Keeping them "happy" and healthy keeps you healthy in return.

What does a typical day look like for you with your diet? What do you eat and do you keep track with nutrients on your own or do you use an app?

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I don't track my food intake any more.

I usually start my day with a smoothie. It will have a cup of leafie greens, all kinds of berries, broccoli and cauliflower, avocado, some kind of citrus, a scoop of protein powder and almond milk or water. That is a great start.

Lunch is or a bowl that includes some kind of protein. I keep canned meats like tuna chicken or oysters. Dinner is similar to lunch. Lots of veggies. For snacks it nuts and seed or nut butters.

I eat out more than I should and I stick with salads our salmon tuna and chicken. I avoid dairy any vegetables that are grown under the ground like potatoes. And no grain or beans.

I'm eat that way about 75% to 85%

I drink water and sparkling water. I won't give up coffee. I'm trying to limit it, but it's my last vice.

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@denisestlouie

I don't track my food intake any more.

I usually start my day with a smoothie. It will have a cup of leafie greens, all kinds of berries, broccoli and cauliflower, avocado, some kind of citrus, a scoop of protein powder and almond milk or water. That is a great start.

Lunch is or a bowl that includes some kind of protein. I keep canned meats like tuna chicken or oysters. Dinner is similar to lunch. Lots of veggies. For snacks it nuts and seed or nut butters.

I eat out more than I should and I stick with salads our salmon tuna and chicken. I avoid dairy any vegetables that are grown under the ground like potatoes. And no grain or beans.

I'm eat that way about 75% to 85%

I drink water and sparkling water. I won't give up coffee. I'm trying to limit it, but it's my last vice.

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@denisestlouie I'm with you on coffee. I'm not giving that up unless my doctor says I really have to do that! ☕️

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@denisestlouie

I don't track my food intake any more.

I usually start my day with a smoothie. It will have a cup of leafie greens, all kinds of berries, broccoli and cauliflower, avocado, some kind of citrus, a scoop of protein powder and almond milk or water. That is a great start.

Lunch is or a bowl that includes some kind of protein. I keep canned meats like tuna chicken or oysters. Dinner is similar to lunch. Lots of veggies. For snacks it nuts and seed or nut butters.

I eat out more than I should and I stick with salads our salmon tuna and chicken. I avoid dairy any vegetables that are grown under the ground like potatoes. And no grain or beans.

I'm eat that way about 75% to 85%

I drink water and sparkling water. I won't give up coffee. I'm trying to limit it, but it's my last vice.

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Denise, I am coming to your house! Your diet is very similar to what I do. It takes planning, definitely, but I've gotten used to it. And, to piggyback here, nope not going to give up my coffee in the morning.
Ginger

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