What you will need is a totally different approach to eating. Forget the signals that have always told you when to start eating and when to stop. They will no longer be a reliable guide. You will have to approach eating as a necessary part of your therapy and learn to eat even if you don't feel like it.
Nutritional support is usually best directed by your physician and dietitian, preferably at the start of therapy. But the hospital nutritionist can plan an individualized program for you after two or three days of observation and analysis of any deficits in your intake of calories, protein or fat. You and your family can be instructed in basic nutritional requirements, such as the four basic food groups—protein, milk, vegetable-fruit and bread-cereal.
The nutritionist can also explain how you can deal with the special dietary problems associated with cancer and cancer therapy, such as anorexia, bloating, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sore or dry mouth, indigestion and taste blindness.
Special Diets Your nutritional needs may change during therapy. After surgery, for example, you may need to go on a liquid diet and work your way up through a soft diet before getting back to your regular foods. You may need a lactose-restricted diet, a high-fiber diet and/or a high-protein diet. You might also need special food supplements, either with or between meals, to increase your daily intake of nutrients.
These might include lactose-free high-calorie, high-protein drinks such as Ensure, Resource, Sustacal and Nutren.
