Snack Options to Deal with the Side-Effects of Chemotherapy
The dietary requirements of a person undergoing treatment for cancer or recovering from it are different from those of people recovering from other illnesses. Their diet must be personalized considering the side effects of medication, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, age, and overall health. Chemotherapy is an important part of the treatment process for cancer, and it is administered intravenously using a combination of medications that may be given on the same day, over consecutive days, or continuously. If one is an inpatient, the hospital takes care of their nutrition and dietary requirements, but they are an outpatient and choose to go home after a session, some things need to be kept in mind to manage the side effects of chemotherapy. Nutrition and side effects For the first few days after a chemo or radiation therapy session, one might experience side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. It is likely that they will not have any inclination to eat. They might also develop mouth sores, loss of appetite, and fatigue, so their diet should have higher portions of protein and vitamins to help them regain the lost nutrients. Additionally, the intake of fluids is necessary to prevent dehydration. Diet on the day of a chemotherapy session One should follow a very light diet on the day of a chemotherapy session.