What are the most important nutrition rules to follow for cancer patients going through treatment?
I don t give patients specific numbers in terms of grams or calories unless they ask for that. I feel that patients have multiple tasks to remember, from medication to self care, and asking them to reach specific protein and calorie goals may become overwhelming. Rather than focusing on specific amounts of grams and calories, general information is easier to achieve, and that is my goal, to provide small yet achievable goals. The most important I believe, is approaching food in small, frequent amounts, and trying to maximize the protein and calorie content of the meal or snack, by adding additional protein and/or calorie items, such as dry milk powder, cheese, eggs, whipped cream, butter or margarine, mayonnaise, etc. Patients who are having a very difficult time can try having a high protein and calorie snack every two hours, such as cottage cheese and fruit, or a small peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Bland, soft, cool foods are often tolerated better, such as ice cream, mashed pota
