How do you know what to do and how to live to prevent cancer? We have all heard of commercials about “magic pills and potions” that claim to treat your cancer or protect you from cancer, but are they real? What is the evidence? What should you eat once you have cancer? That is why the nutrition team at MD Anderson - Orlando is dedicated to providing optimal nutritional education for patients, family members and our community.
Nutrition education is provided by registered, licensed dietitians. As dietitians, we work with the medical team to support patients before, during and after treatment.
Our services include meal plans tailored to each patient based on his or her needs, education on healthy eating for cancer prevention, providing detailed information on vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements in cancer care, management of side effects relating to treatment, arranging tube feeding for temporary nutritional support during treatment and continued follow up visits for healthy living after treatment.
Visits with a dietitian are complimentary to patients of MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando and regular follow up appointments are encouraged. Good nutrition plays a significant role in the recovery process.
A diagnosis of cancer brings
questions and uncertainty. Many have heard that chemotherapy is so
tough that you lose weight – and some people are happy about that
thought. However, rapid weight loss usually depletes the muscle mass
rather than the fat tissue, which leaves you weak, tired, weighing less,
but still fat. Maintaining your nutritional status during treatment is essential
so you can be as healthy as possible when emerging from treatment. This
section offers information on getting enough calories during treatment
to keep on “moving."
Nutrition during chemotherapy - English / Spanish
Food safety - English / Spanish
Safe food handling
Fluid intake
High protein and calorie foods
Food and drug interactions
Keeping a food diary -
are you eating and drinking enough? Pint off a few pages of this log
and bring this with you when you schedule your complimentary visit with
an MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando Dietitian.
National Cancer Institute Booklet - Eating Hints for Cancer Patients
Nauseous, not
hungry, food taste awful? – all are side effects of cancer treatment.
You can't stay nourished, when food is not appetizing. The following
suggestions are ways to alter the eating experience just enough to make
eating possible.
Taste & Smell Changes
Poor Appetite
Sore Throat
Nausea/Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
References, tables, lists, links and web sites all can assist in evaluation and interpretation of nutrition information. Below are some additional resources that may help you in your journey.
Call
1.800.4CANCER (1.800.422.6237) to order your free copy of Eating Hints
for Cancer Patients by the National Cancer Institute.