When you have cancer, your body needs proper nutrients and calories to recover from treatment. Yet, eating well can be difficult when you feel nauseous or don’t have the energy to cook. That’s where an oncology dietitian comes in.
An oncology dietitian (also called an oncology nutritionist) is a key member of your cancer care team. Typically, your oncologist will refer you to an oncology dietitian.
With their extensive background in nutrition, oncology dietitians help you create a meal plan that promotes healing and minimizes side effects while undergoing cancer treatment.
With the help of Melinda Pundt, RDN, LDN, senior dietician nutritionist at the Levine Cancer Institute, we provide more insight into what an oncology dietitian does and how they can support you on your journey to recovery.
An oncology dietitian works with cancer patients and their families to develop a diet during radiation.
This medical professional helps patients adjust their nutritional intake to optimize health and minimize side effects caused by cancer and cancer treatments.
After gathering more information, your oncology dietitian will develop a nutrition plan with specific food-related goals. This plan will likely include lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. But it may also include surprising foods like gravy or milkshakes.
Some of the food-related goals within a meal plan are specific to the patient.
For example, if you have experienced dramatic weight loss during chemotherapy, your goal may be to gain 20 pounds. To increase your body mass, your oncology dietitian may offer specific calorie and protein benchmarks.
Your oncology dietitian may also offer:
Good nutrition in cancer patients has been linked to better chances of recovery and lower incidences of remission.
A well-rounded diet can also:
“Your body is constantly having cells damaged from treatment and having cells repair
after treatments,” Pundt offers.
“A balanced diet helps provide your body with the vital vitamins, minerals, protein and energy to help it repair and heal after every treatment.”
Pundt says that creating a nutritional guide for cancer patients is a delicate balance.
Though the patient needs to consume a diet full of nutrient-dense foods, they also need to eat what tastes good to them.
“Overall, we want the majority of our diet to come from nutrient dense sources, including whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, vegetables and fruits,” Pundt says.
“But this does not mean every single meal and snack has to be perfectly balanced. Our
comfort foods still provide us with nutrients and joy.”
Many cancer patients are intimidated by oncology nutritionists. They worry that the dietitian will be overly critical of their current diet or suggest they stop eating their favorite foods.
However, your oncology nutritionist is here to support you. Just like how you have a say in choosing your cancer treatment plan, you also have a say in what you eat.
“There are no bad or off-limit foods,” adds Pundt.
“During treatment, your body is using more energy than it would normally. The foods that bring you joy can help with getting in some extra nutrients to support your body during treatments so you can finish treatment on time.”
During your first consultation, your oncology nutritionist will perform a physical assessment. Since 85% percent of cancer patients experience malnutrition at some point during radiation treatment, your dietitian will look for fat and muscle loss, thinning hair, brittle nails, and other tell-tale signs of a nutritional imbalance.
The nutritionist will also ask you lots of questions about your diet, like:
“We like to get a feel for our patients’ baseline or normal diet. This can help us identify changes in their diet during treatment,” says Pundt.
“We also like to review any possible nutrition related side effects that patients may experience while undergoing treatment and address these as needed.”
To get the most out of your first dietitian consultation, Pundt suggests that patients:
Make a list of medications, supplements, and vitamins. If you can’t bring all of your bottles with you, take photos.
Note any side effects you are experiencing and when you experience them (e.g. nausea after eating breakfast). Your dietitian may be able to recommend certain foods that will ease symptoms.
Keep a food log for at least a week ahead of time. “Sometimes we aren’t eating as balanced as we may think,” says Pundt. “Food journaling can help you and your dietitian identify if there is anything missing in your diet.”
Any questions you may have. “We want you to be active and present in the management of your health and nutrition,” Pundt says.
During your first consultation, your oncology nutritionist will perform a physical assessment. Since 85% percent of cancer patients experience malnutrition at some point during radiation treatment, your dietitian will look for fat and muscle loss, thinning hair, brittle nails, and other tell-tale signs of a nutritional imbalance.
The nutritionist will also ask you lots of questions about your diet, like:
“We like to get a feel for our patients’ baseline or normal diet. This can help us identify changes in their diet during treatment,” says Pundt.
“We also like to review any possible nutrition related side effects that patients may experience while undergoing treatment and address these as needed.”
To get the most out of your first dietitian consultation, Pundt suggests that patients:
Make a list of medications, supplements, and vitamins. If you can’t bring all of your bottles with you, take photos.
Note any side effects you are experiencing and when you experience them (e.g. nausea after eating breakfast). Your dietitian may be able to recommend certain foods that will ease symptoms.
Keep a food log for at least a week ahead of time. “Sometimes we aren’t eating as balanced as we may think,” says Pundt. “Food journaling can help you and your dietitian identify if there is anything missing in your diet.”
Any questions you may have. “We want you to be active and present in the management of your health and nutrition,” Pundt says.
During your consultation, your oncology dietitian will also discuss food safety. Since cancer and cancer treatment can weaken your immune system, it’s important that you avoid food-borne illnesses like salmonella and norovirus.
“Food safety is especially important for those that may have a weakened immune system, like oncology patients. Certain cancer treatments can make it harder for your body to fight off infection so it is important to follow basic food safety rules to lower your risk of getting a food-borne illness,” offers Pundt.
To keep your food safe, your oncology dietitian will recommend:
Source: SERO
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