Many patients experience some weight loss during the course of their cancer treatment. This can be the result of many factors including loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, pain, loss of taste and generally not feeling well. Your doctors and SLP staff will closely monitor your weight during this time to ensure you do not become critically malnourished.
In general, your calorie needs are the same or even greater than they were before your cancer diagnosis. Although you may not be as active, during treatment, your body continues to need the same energy (calories) to deal with the effects of radiation as well as to properly heal and recover. Proper nutrition is key for immune system function as well as in allowing for adequate and timely healing and recovery.
In general, your calorie needs are the same or even greater than they were before your cancer diagnosis. Although you may not be as active, during treatment, your body continues to need the same energy (calories) to deal with the effects of radiation as well as to properly heal and recover. Proper nutrition is key for immune system function as well as in allowing for adequate and timely healing and recovery.
eating by mouth
What to eat
The SLP staff will determine what you are capable of eating/drinking safely and they strive to prescribe the most normal texture diet possible. The intake of solid foods is extremely important, when possible. It ensures the highest level of muscle activity when you swallow and, in doing so, helps to preserve your muscle strength and function, both during and after your treatment. It is important to eat the solid foods your SLP has indicated are safe for you.
The body knows how much effort to exert when swallowing. For example, it takes more “muscle” to swallow a piece of meatloaf, than it does to swallow a sip of milk. Although the pain of radiation may cause many patients to consider limiting themselves to liquids, the bulkier the food you swallow, the more you are working the throat muscles.
The radiation effect to the esophagus is also important to consider here. At rest, the esophagus is like a slender, flexible tube. As bulky foods move through, it stretches to expand around it as needed. Consider how a snake body expands around its prey when eating. Same thing! The upper portion of the esophagus is within the radiation field when the neck is being targeted. For this reason, it is important to swallow more bulky foods to ensure the regular “stretching” of this part of the esophagus. In this way, you are helping to discourage the fibrosis/scarring from taking a strong hold on the flexible fibers of the esophagus.
The body knows how much effort to exert when swallowing. For example, it takes more “muscle” to swallow a piece of meatloaf, than it does to swallow a sip of milk. Although the pain of radiation may cause many patients to consider limiting themselves to liquids, the bulkier the food you swallow, the more you are working the throat muscles.
The radiation effect to the esophagus is also important to consider here. At rest, the esophagus is like a slender, flexible tube. As bulky foods move through, it stretches to expand around it as needed. Consider how a snake body expands around its prey when eating. Same thing! The upper portion of the esophagus is within the radiation field when the neck is being targeted. For this reason, it is important to swallow more bulky foods to ensure the regular “stretching” of this part of the esophagus. In this way, you are helping to discourage the fibrosis/scarring from taking a strong hold on the flexible fibers of the esophagus.
How much to eat
The SLP staff may give you specific instructions on what you should eat, although the general guideline is to not lose weight. Nutritional supplements may be advised by your doctor or dietitian, if you are not eating enough to sustain your weight.
Many patients ask how much they should eat. The answer? AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! The texture of the foods may change, as the SLP staff may counsel you. The foods you eat may also change to ensure the safest and strongest swallow possible. But a general guideline is to eat enough to maintain your weight.
In some cases a combination of tube feeding and eating by mouth is required. When you are unable to eat enough by mouth, you may be counseled to use your feeding tube as well. It is very common for patients to eat by mouth as well as use their feeding tube. Eating by mouth is always the preferred method, if it’s safe to swallow. But getting enough nutrition and hydration is the ultimate goal. Sometimes, it becomes necessary to use the feeding tube to boost your overall nutrition and hydration. Always discuss this with the SLP staff so they are able to best advise you. They will work with you to preserve your swallow ability as much as possible, while also ensuring you are receiving proper nutrition and hydration.
Many patients ask how much they should eat. The answer? AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! The texture of the foods may change, as the SLP staff may counsel you. The foods you eat may also change to ensure the safest and strongest swallow possible. But a general guideline is to eat enough to maintain your weight.
In some cases a combination of tube feeding and eating by mouth is required. When you are unable to eat enough by mouth, you may be counseled to use your feeding tube as well. It is very common for patients to eat by mouth as well as use their feeding tube. Eating by mouth is always the preferred method, if it’s safe to swallow. But getting enough nutrition and hydration is the ultimate goal. Sometimes, it becomes necessary to use the feeding tube to boost your overall nutrition and hydration. Always discuss this with the SLP staff so they are able to best advise you. They will work with you to preserve your swallow ability as much as possible, while also ensuring you are receiving proper nutrition and hydration.
How often to eat
Most patients find their eating habits are altered significantly during radiation treatment. Eating smaller portions more frequently through the day may provide you with the best overall plan for eating. How often you eat is of little concern as long as you are taking in enough nutrition to maintain your weight and stay properly hydrated.
Water
During radiation, we recommend to our patients that they have a gallon of water daily. Although this seems like a lot, your body has a much higher need for water during your treatment.
It’s always better to drink it (use that throat!) if you have been cleared to drink water. But if drinking this much is too difficult, or you are not able to drink by mouth, then use the feeding tube to take in the water. How you get the water in you is less important than being sure you get the full gallon into your body.
Consider This: Compare a pile of wet firewood with a pile of dry firewood. Now try burning each pile. The wet wood doesn’t burn so easy. Now think of this in terms of your tissues. The better hydrated you are, your body acts more like the pile of wet wood, more resistant to the burning effects of radiation. If you don’t have enough water in your system, your body responds more like the pile of dry wood, often experiencing more severe radiation effects.
You will notice secretions becoming thicker during radiation. This effect becomes worse if the body is not well hydrated. Drinking water, therefore, can help keep this effect better managed. In addition, the dry mouth that can result from these thicker secretions can be greatly relieved by taking small sips of water. Be sure the SLP staff has cleared you for drinking water if you are using a feeding tube.
