Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for reducing the risk of developing cancer and promoting cancer survivorship. However, cancer and its treatments can often lead to weight loss, making it essential to understand how to prevent excess weight loss and promote healthy weight gain. This article provides steps you can take to prevent excess weight loss and promote healthy weight gain during and after cancer treatment.
Understanding Weight Loss in Cancer Patients
Many people with cancer experience weight loss at some time. Weight loss can be caused by cancer or be a side effect of cancer treatments. Sometimes a cancer can cause someone to lose a lot of weight. The cancer may produce chemicals that make their body use calories more quickly than normal, and break down fat and protein more quickly. This can lead to a person losing weight, even if they are eating well and not doing very much. This condition is called cachexia.
Weight loss during treatment is linked to more hospitalizations, delays in treatment, and malnutrition. When going through cancer treatment, it's common to experience a loss of appetite, taste changes, or other symptoms that make it difficult or less desirable to eat. At the same time, your metabolism may be more "revved up" and your body may require more calories than normal to maintain your weight. In addition to more calories, your body needs more nutrients and more protein.
Strategies for Healthy Weight Gain
If you lose a lot of weight, it is important to talk to a dietitian. They can suggest changes to your diet. It can be helpful to know about the different types of food groups and what energy the body gets from them. Try to get a balance of different types of food to make sure you are getting the nutrients your body needs. Here are some effective strategies to promote healthy weight gain:
1. Increase Calorie Intake
If you are losing weight, eating higher energy foods can help to prevent losing more. It can also help you to put weight back on. If you have a good appetite, you should be able to eat the extra calories and protein you may need if you are ill. Add calorie boosters onto the foods you are already eating. Sometimes during cancer treatment, certain foods will work for you while others won’t. It is important to eat the foods that you are tolerating and find appetizing, but you may need to “doctor” them up to provide additional calories.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
- Fortify Foods: You can add extra energy and protein to your diet without having to eat more. This is called fortifying your food. Fortify milk by adding 2 to 4 tablespoons of dried milk powder to 570ml (1 pint) of full-fat milk and mixing it together. Keep it in the fridge and use it in drinks or on cereals. The following tips can help you increase the protein and energy of different foods. Add extra butter, cream or oil to bread, potatoes, pasta and cooked vegetables. Add cheese to cooked vegetables or soup. Use fortified milk to make sauces. Use fortified milk on cereals or to make porridge. Add golden syrup, honey or sugar to breakfast cereals or porridge. Use plenty of butter or spread in sandwiches.
- Choose High-Calorie Options: During illness, treatment or recovery, your need for calories and protein may be greater than usual. Add butter or oils to foods. Use butter or margarine generously on potatoes, bread, toast, hot cereal, rice, noodles and vegetables and in soups. Spread peanut butter or other nut butters - which contain protein and healthy fats - on toast, bread, apple or banana slices, crackers, or celery. Use fruit canned in heavy syrup. It has more calories than does fresh or juice-packed fruit. Drink beverages that contain calories, such as fruit juice, lemonade, fruit-flavored drinks, malts, floats, soda pop, cocoa, milkshakes, smoothies and eggnog. Though some of these suggestions add more fat and sugar to your diet, this shouldn't be a concern since you're only adding the extra calories until you can get your appetite back on track.
- Nutrient-Rich Choices: Nut butters like peanut and almond butters are the perfect solution for someone looking to add some protein and calories to their diet. Two tablespoons of peanut butter contains 210 calories and eight grams of protein, and two tablespoons of almond butter contains 196 calories and seven grams of protein. Ice cream is an excellent source of calories. Milk and yogurt: Swapping out skim or 1 percent milk for whole milk is a good source of calories and protein.
2. Increase Protein Intake
Protein is important for growth, health and repair of your body. If you've been ill, you may need extra protein. If you do not eat meat, poultry or fish, there are plenty of other foods that help add energy and protein.
- Make High-Protein Milk: Add 1/4 cup powdered milk to 1 cup whole milk, or add 1 cup powdered milk to 1 quart whole milk.
- Include Protein-Rich Foods: Eggs can be used in a wide variety of recipes.
3. Eat Frequently
The goal to promote weight gain and combat a poor appetite is to eat regularly throughout the day. You may be used to eating only 2-3 times per day, but while you are actively fighting cancer, it is recommended to eat at least 5-6 times daily. Eating often can stimulate your appetite and provide additional calories to encourage weight gain.
- Eat Small Amounts More Frequently: If you feel full after eating only a small amount, try eating small amounts throughout the day when you get the urge to eat.
- Keep Snacks Handy: Don't be too concerned that some of these options are high in cholesterol or fat.
- Have a Bedtime Snack.
4. Drink Your Calories
100% fruit juice and milk or milk alternatives can provide hydration, while also providing extra calories. When you are not feeling like eating or having nausea, liquids are usually easier to consume than solid foods.
- Smoothies: Smoothies are a great way to pack in extra vitamins, minerals, fluid, fiber, protein and calories. They are also soothing if you are experiencing mouth sores. You can increase the calorie density of smoothies by adding nut butters, avocado, regular, plain Greek yogurt, flaxseed oil or other healthy oils. You can use fresh or frozen fruits and berries and a variety of liquid bases (almond milk, coconut water) to boost nutrients and add flavor. Make your own smoothies. Combine fruits and vegetables with yogurt, ice cream or milk to make your own smoothies. Choose the ingredients that are most appealing to you.
- Nutritional Supplement Drinks: Nutritional supplement drinks, such as instant breakfast mixes and canned or powdered shakes, can provide a significant amount of calories and require little or no preparation. Drinks like Boost or Ensure are good ways to add both calories and protein, especially if a patient isn’t feeling that hungry.
5. Manage Side Effects
Cancer patients can expect some side effects with their treatment, including nausea, appetite loss, changes in taste or smell, and vomiting.
- Address Eating Problems: If you have eating problems or are losing weight, talk to your cancer doctor, specialist nurse, dietitian or GP. You may need to follow a special diet, for example if you have a lactose intolerance or diabetes.
- Avoid Smells That Make You Sick: Pay attention to smells, as certain scents may decrease your appetite or bring on nausea.
- Try Cold Foods: Foods that are cold or at room temperature may be more appealing, particularly if strong smells bother you.
- Experiment with Foods.
6. Stay Active
It is important to try to keep active, even if you are losing weight. Keeping active will stop your muscles getting weak. It is important to do what you can and not try to do too much. Gentle exercise, such as going for a short walk, may be all you need. Regular exercise may help stimulate your appetite.
Read also: Walnut Keto Guide
7. Plan Ahead and Stick to a Schedule
During your cancer treatments it is important to start an eating and drinking schedule and stick with it. Drinking your fluids in between meals can prevent filling up on fluid during meal time. Planning your meals out the day before can not only increase how much you eat, but also help promote weight gain and improve your nutritional status. Schedule mealtimes. Eat more when you're hungry. Take advantage of the times when you feel your best to eat more. Limit fluids during meals. Liquids can fill you up and limit your intake of higher calorie foods. Create a pleasant mealtime atmosphere. Make meals more appealing.
8. Seek Professional Guidance
Work with your Dietitian. Meeting with a dietitian regularly during treatment has been shown to produce better outcomes compared to those who do not see a dietitian. Dietitians can give you individualized ideas on ways to add calories, as well as help you with your side effects. Talk to your cancer doctor, specialist nurse or a dietitian if you find it difficult to eat enough.
Addressing Emotional and Practical Challenges
You may not always feel well enough to shop or cook food for yourself or others. This may be frustrating. If you usually prepare the meals for your family, it may feel hard to let someone else do this. Try not to feel guilty about letting someone else do the things you usually do. You may find it easier to use ready meals or pre-prepared meals on days when you do not feel like cooking. This is fine to do sometimes. If you live on your own and need help with cooking or shopping, talk to your healthcare team at the hospital or your GP.
Weight loss can be upsetting and difficult to cope with. It can be a visible reminder of your illness. It can also affect your body image. Body image is the picture you have in your mind of how you look. It is how we think and feel about our bodies and how we believe others see us. If you lose weight because of cancer or its treatment, you will look different to how you used to look. You may find it hard to accept that you look different. You may have different emotions, such as feeling angry, anxious or sad. It is natural to feel like this. You may meet other people who have similar thoughts and feelings. You may worry that the change in your appearance will affect your relationships with a partner, family or friends. You may be anxious about what people think of you. People often keep their thoughts and feelings about their bodies to themselves. But keeping your worries to yourself can make them become a bigger concern. Talking to someone can help you feel better about yourself. Many people find it helps to talk to someone they trust. This could be a partner, family member or friend. Or you could talk to your doctor or specialist nurse. Some people find it helpful to speak to a counsellor.
If someone you care about has had physical changes, it may take you time to adjust and accept the changes. If you are the main carer for someone with cancer, it can be difficult to know how to deal with eating problems, such as lack of appetite or weight loss. Mealtimes are usually an enjoyable and important part of life. Cancer, cancer treatments and other medicines can all affect someone’s appetite. The person you are caring for may feel sick or have diarrhoea or constipation. This can stop them eating. The amount someone can eat may change each day, and their likes and dislikes may also change. Try not to put pressure on someone to eat. This can be stressful for both of you. If you know when their appetite is at its best, you can make the most of it. If the person you are caring for continues to struggle with food and is losing weight, speak to their doctor or nurse. They can refer them to a dietitian. The dietitian can advise them about what they eat. Try to talk openly about their weight loss and what both of you think will help. The person you are caring for may find cooking smells make them feel sick. Give them smaller meals and snacks, whenever they feel like eating. Try not to offer drinks before a meal. Stock up on items you know they like. Avoid low-fat or diet products. If the person would like it, try offering a small amount of alcohol just before, or with, food. Some people find this helps their appetite. Add extra energy to everyday meals and drinks. For example, try adding fortified milk to tea or coffee. Encourage the person to do some physical activity, if possible. This can help increase their appetite. Make sure you have support. It is important to look after yourself and make sure you are eating well yourself. Try to create a comfortable eating environment. Keep servings small. Too much food can be overwhelming and off-putting. The person you are caring for may want to go out to a cafe or restaurant for food. Try not to worry if the person you are caring for cannot eat what you have cooked.
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