Dietary strategies for patients with malignant tumors: Easily manage every meal

Author: Qin Lili, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong Province

Reviewer: Zhang Haiguo, deputy chief physician, First People's Hospital of Jining City, Shandong Province

In recent years, the incidence of malignant tumors has increased significantly. While it quietly erodes life, it also causes tremendous psychological pressure on patients. In the long process of fighting the disease, in addition to receiving necessary medical treatment, a reasonable diet plays an indispensable role in the patient's fight against the disease.

Carefully design a healthy and delicious diet guide for patients with malignant tumors to help them on their road to recovery.

1. The diet of patients with malignant tumors should be balanced and varied

Patients need to consume enough rice, noodles, vegetables, fruits, fish, shrimp, meat, eggs, soybeans, nuts and milk to meet the body's comprehensive needs for various nutrients. The "Dietary Guidelines for Patients with Malignant Tumors" issued by the National Health Commission clearly provides food choices and recommended intakes for patients with malignant tumors. Such a diet pattern not only helps maintain a stable weight, but is also the key to improving the quality of life and accelerating recovery for patients with malignant tumors.

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Among the nutrients, protein is particularly important. As the basis for body repair and growth, adequate intake of protein plays a significant role in strengthening the physical fitness and improving the resistance of patients with malignant tumors. For example, every 100 grams of chicken contains about 20 grams of high-quality protein, and one egg contains about 6 grams of protein. Therefore, it is recommended that patients increase the intake of fish, poultry and other meats and eggs, and choose soybeans and their products as a high-quality source of plant protein.

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Vegetables and fruits also play an important role in the diet of patients with malignant tumors. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber, which help break down harmful substances in the body, prevent constipation and enhance immunity. Studies [1] have shown that each person should consume no less than 5 servings of different types of vegetables and fruits every day. Fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges and lemons, can improve the body's antioxidant capacity and reduce the risk of recurrence of malignant tumors. Patients are advised to consume sufficient vegetables and fruits every day to maintain a healthy state of the body.

2. Certain foods may have an adverse effect on the recovery of patients with malignant tumors

Fried, pan-fried, smoked, grilled and pickled foods may contain carcinogens. People who often eat these foods have a higher risk of developing malignant tumors than the general population. Patients should try to avoid eating such foods. At the same time, spicy, irritating, raw, cold and hard foods should also be chosen with caution to avoid increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

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3. In terms of diet, patients are advised to eat small and frequent meals

Eating small and frequent meals can not only stabilize the patient's blood sugar level and continuously provide the body with the necessary nutrients, but also avoid the adverse effects of overeating. The nutritional status and physical recovery of malignant tumor patients who eat small and frequent meals are significantly better than those who eat three meals a day [2]. In addition, drinking a glass of water before meals can help reduce food intake and reduce gastrointestinal burden, which is a good habit worth recommending.

4. Patients should try to choose healthy cooking methods. Foods cooked by healthy cooking methods such as steaming, stewing, and boiling can retain as many nutrients as possible, have higher nutritional value, and are more beneficial to the health of patients with malignant tumors. However, cooking methods such as smoking, frying, and grilling may produce carcinogens, so patients should try to avoid using them.

5. Make individual adjustments based on the patient's specific situation. In addition to the dietary principles mentioned above, we also need to make individual adjustments based on the patient's specific situation. Factors such as age, physique, condition, gender, and living habits will affect the patient's dietary needs. Therefore, when formulating a diet plan, it is necessary to fully consider these factors and provide patients with individualized dietary advice. For example, for older or weaker patients, it is necessary to choose foods that are easier to digest and chew; for younger or relatively active patients, it is necessary to appropriately increase calorie and protein intake.

In addition, during the recovery process, patients need to maintain a regular schedule, quit smoking and drinking, and maintain good living habits. At the same time, it is equally important to maintain a positive attitude and a good mood. Adjustments in these aspects will help patients better cope with the challenges brought by malignant tumors and accelerate the recovery process.

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In short, a reasonable diet is an important part of the recovery process of patients with malignant tumors. This healthy and delicious diet guide we have developed for patients with malignant tumors will fully help them overcome the disease as soon as possible and return to a healthy life by following the principles of a balanced, diverse and healthy diet and making personalized adjustments based on specific circumstances.

References:

[1] Yang Xiaoguang, Wang Xiaoli. Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents 2022 | Principle 1: Diversity of food and reasonable combination [J]. Chinese Food and Nutrition, 2022, 28(8): 2.

[2] Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Radiotherapy Integrated Nursing Professional Committee, Guangdong Nursing Association Tumor Nutrition Nursing Professional Committee. Expert consensus on micronutrient deficiency and supplementation in malignant tumors [J]. Electronic Journal of Tumor Metabolism and Nutrition, 2024, 11(3): 49-58.