Boost Nutrition with Good Food Choices
Choosing the right foods to maintain proper nutrition is essential for people with pancreas cancer. It helps increase responsiveness to treatment, minimize complications, and improve quality of life. The goal is to consume an adequate amount of fluids, calories, protein, and vitamins each day to maintain a desirable weight and activity level.
Here are some tips for maintaining good nutrition:
- Eat frequent, small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals.
- Eat balanced, nutritious meals and snacks that include protein sources.
- Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day to get beneficial antioxidants and phytochemicals.
- Choose whole grains as tolerated, and limit processed foods and refined sugars.
- Keep intake of alcoholic beverages to a minimum, and if you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start.
- Minimize or eliminate greasy, fried, or high-fat foods to avoid diarrhea. Use healthy fats such as olive oil, canola oil, nuts and seeds as tolerated.
- Drink at least 64 ounces (8 cups) of non-caffeinated beverages daily, including water, fruit or vegetable juices, and sports drinks. Flavored ice sticks, gelatin, soups, broths, and liquid nutritional shakes also contribute fluid to the diet.
Amanda Luekenga, Registered Dietitian
Huntsman Cancer Institute Wellness Center
If you are a patient of HCI and would like to meet with the dietitian. Please call the Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness Center at (801) 587-4585.
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