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Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 10:38 pm
by Nohogirl
Hi All,

What were the foods you have been told to avoid during chemotherapy, specifically during FOLFOX?

We all know about the negative effects of chemo on the body, how it can not only kill the cancer cells but also the healthy cells in the body thus impairing one's immune system and disabling it to fight off future infections and/or increasing the chances of cancer reoccurrences.

Since my husband was diagnosed with cancer, one of the first things i had in my plan for him was the healthy eating , the opposite of which he has been doing all his life. I cut down if not eliminate his sugar intake, no beef meat except once a month, no processed meats, lots of veggies and fruits mostly organic, organic chicken, no eating out to avoid unnecessary MSGs and bacteria, probiotics, D3, B6, pure manuka honey in the mornings and of course juicing. The two main juices I would make for him daily were Carrot juice mixed with some celery, ginger,.garlic and Pomegranate juice.

Right before his first chemo infusion, my intuition told me to check ( where else if not ononline)l for possible interactions of carrot and pomegranates with chemo. And guess what?

Both carrots and pomegranate were found to be potentially harmful during chemo. As a matter of fact pomegranate was in the list of foods to avoid during chemo. Who would know?????

Carrots contain excessive amounts of Vitamin K . Vitamin K helps to clot the blood and because people on chemo are at higher risk for blood clots, carrot is exactly what we need to avoid during chemo.

Pomegranate seeds hold strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to their high content of hydrolysable tannins and anthocyanins. While consuming high amounts of pomegranate juice or extract can be beneficial in preventing cancer or inhibiting cancer growth, drinking pomegranate juice during chemotherapy may have adverse effects. Substances found in pomegranates can interfere with how the chemo drug works by not allowing the drug to be broken down and absorbed properly in the system.
Who would knew that what i thought was going to help my husband was actually going to harm him

Ouffff. So much to know and to be careful of.

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 7:54 am
by Phuong
Grapefruit is another one to avoid. I suggest not eating his absolute favorite foods during chemo only because eating it with nausea may turn him off to it in the future. A bland diet was easiest for me to tolerate, supplemented by protein shakes.

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 11:36 am
by crikklekay
We weren't told to avoid anything specific except for cold foods due to the Oxaliplatin, though I do second the try not to eat your favorite foods. It was my instinct to get his favorites to help him feel better during chemo, but that just made the taste change effect feel worse when that favorite turned to ash in his mouth. Do pay attention to nutrition and protein is very important. When he ended up eating liquids only due to taste problems he had nutritional issues due to the lack of protein and our Oncologist stressed the importance of making sure he got enough. Protein shakes and smoothies were a real life saver.

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 12:50 pm
by cbsmith
Having done 12 rounds of folfox with oxi for all of them I will say that he should eat whatever he feels like eating. The taste of food will change, his mouth will be sore, etc so he should eat whatever makes him feel good and that he wants to eat. Getting enough calories to maintain weight is the key during chemo, regardless of the type of calories they are. I agree with not eating your most favorite foods when you are not feeling well because you will associate them with not feeling well.

In my opinion, during chemo is not the time to try and make a drastic change in someone else’s diet.

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 1:37 pm
by hiker
cbsmith, I completely agree. When I was first diagnosed I went on a strict diet. Only white meat, no sugar, no processed foods, etc. And guess what? I was absolutely miserable. I have always enjoyed eating. After several rounds of chemo I decided I wasn't about to continue going through that hell just to suffer more by not enjoying food. From then on, I ate everything I could get my hands on.

hiker

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 2:42 pm
by zephyr
I agree with cbsmith and hiker. My diet was already pretty healthy before being diagnosed but I went overboard at times afterwards (it was a control thing with me). Getting through this is hard, really hard, mentally and physically. It’s one thing to make general changes like limiting red meat, eating organic or incorporating more fruits and vegetables, but only to the extent he can tolerate it without it affecting his head. Moderation is the key. As a caregiver, you want to do everything - I get it and we patients appreciate our caregivers more than we could possibly express (I’ve spent 2 years trying). But mental health is a big part of getting through this. Better to make incremental changes than drastic ones. This is not a criticism - what you’ve done is very loving and truly commendable - it’s just a different perspective from
a patient, and suggestion to take it a little slower, that’s all.

Check and see if your cancer center has an oncology dietician. That would be the best person to help you with foods to avoid for particular drugs. I recall that mine told me not to drink green tea during one of my chemo cocktails.

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 11:13 pm
by Nohogirl
Thank you all. I agree with all of your comments and I admit that this is a very difficult time for my husband both physically and emotionally. My husband only had his first infusion and 48 hr. pump but he is already feeling weak, nauseous, mouth taste change, jaw pain and refuses to eat most of the time. I realized that this is not the best time for food restrictions or special diets. I'll be happy with whatever food he asks for (even unhealthy) as long as he eats.

I am also looking into protein shakes as some of you suggested. Any specific kind or brand you can recommend?

Thanks again.

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 1:14 am
by Soccermom2boys
Just a tip, in the event he does have an appetite—Stouffer’s frozen meals can pack quite a bit of protein in them. Food definitely was a challenge at times during the infusion and pump days for me, but I was surprised at how much protein was in their frozen spaghetti and Mac-n-cheese meals when I pulled them out of my freezer trying to find something I could stomach. As previous posters stated, don’t worry too much on the specifics of the diet, just that he is able to eat. Soup is another great chemo meal in that it adds fluids to the diet which can be challenging to get enough of during the entire treatment process. Much luck to your husband—getting the first chemo finished was a huge hurdle, conquering the fear of the unknown!

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 1:46 am
by zephyr
IMO protein shakes & powders are all over the board when it comes to taste and grittiness. Before you buy a large bottle or case, first try to find single shakes or sample powders to taste. The exception is when you buy it at Costco. Other retailers may also do this but Costco will let you return products you’ve opened. I’ve taken back powders & bars and explained that I’m a chemo patient and couldn’t tolerate the taste - no problem.

The Orgain brand has some pretty good pre-made shakes. The company was founded by an MD and cancer survivor. They claim to use only high quality, organic ingredients. There are regular (dark blue) and vegan (light blue) shakes. I personally think the dark blue tastes creamier and richer but I sometimes drink the vegan ones too. The dark blue are available at Costco in chocolate and vanilla. For the light blue (or single bottles) try a place like Whole Foods. They also have protein powders that are pretty good - not as gritty as some but not as creamy as the shakes.

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 12:55 pm
by Phuong
I did Isagenix shakes with a big fat scoop of ice cream blended in for extra calories. Also, hydration is super important. I used H2ORS and still do. It was developed with chemo patients in mind. You should be able to contact them for samples.

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 4:10 pm
by Lee
Phuong wrote: . . . I suggest not eating his absolute favorite foods during chemo only because eating it with nausea may turn him off to it in the future. A bland diet was easiest for me to tolerate, supplemented by protein shakes.


Ditto

Especially regarding nausea. Once I was gagging down water, chemo nurse noticed it and told me to stop drinking water, find something else to drink. I enjoy my water today. I used to love Boca Burgers. Probably ate them at least once a week. Got nausea on them more than once. Can not eat them today without getting nausea. After a few yrs I realized I would never eat one again.

A found keeping food in stomach kept nausea at bay. Thus I ate several small meals (snacking) vs 3 large meals a day. Protein shakes are a very good idea. I always hit Burger KIng on way to chemo. Got en egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. Got me through chemo. Eating junk food is better than eating nothing at all, especially when you can't taste food much anymore.

Good luck,

Lee

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:19 pm
by Nohogirl
Thank you all. Hope you all had a nice weekend.

It looked like the worst days were the day of his pump removal and the 2 days following it.
My husband seems to be doing a lot better now and his appetite is coming back to normal slowly.
We'll see what happens after his second infusion. Fingers crossed.

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 12:56 am
by AppleTree
Keep an eye out for thrush in the mouth. Boy, I got that alot and had to have a special mouth rinse.

I liked those pudding cups and little snack packs of peaches...because you do not have to refrigerate them. Room temperature Gatoraide. Cold protein drinks I would add powdered milk to and boiling water. The powdered milk kept it from getting watered down. I also drank warm instant breakfast.

I liked small portions of scrambled hamburger mixed in with white rice.

I would get badly dehydrated and had hydration at the hospital the day of disconnect and the next 2 days.

As others have said...something to eat is better than nothing to eat...so anything that he thinks is appealing. Even if it sounds weird!

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 11:24 am
by Nohogirl
AppleTree wrote:Keep an eye out for thrush in the mouth. Boy, I got that alot and had to have a special mouth rinse.

I liked those pudding cups and little snack packs of peaches...because you do not have to refrigerate them. Room temperature Gatoraide. Cold protein drinks I would add powdered milk to and boiling water. The powdered milk kept it from getting watered down. I also drank warm instant breakfast.

I liked small portions of scrambled hamburger mixed in with white rice.

I would get badly dehydrated and had hydration at the hospital the day of disconnect and the next 2 days.

As others have said...something to eat is better than nothing to eat...so anything that he thinks is appealing. Even if it sounds weird!


Thank you AppleTree.

I think my husband also received hydration the day they removed the port.

Just curious. Were you told what stage were you before your chemoradiation?

Re: Foods to avoid during chemotherapy

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 7:56 pm
by henry123
The only restrictions I can recall are raw fruits and veggies & milk due to compromised immune system during chemos.
Bananas were ok though.
I found light foods like curd-rice easy to handle.