Let's Discuss...food intake and energy levels
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Many people share that energy levels decrease significantly while they are going through treatment or while caring for someone with cancer. The way that we nourish our bodies can make all the difference in our energy level. A well balanced diet gives your body the nutrition it needs during and after cancer treatment.
- What are some of your favourite energy boosting meals or snacks?
- What was your ‘go-to’ meal during treatment?
- As a caregiver, what are your tips for preparing meals for your loved one?
Here is some information from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre on Steroids and why they are used during chemotherapy:
In cancer treatment, steroids have multiple roles. First, they’re sometimes a part of the cancer treatment itself, such as with some lymphomas and multiple myeloma.
Second, they’re very effective at bringing down nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy.
They can also play a role with CT scans, which take images of your body to locate cancer for initial diagnosis as well as throughout treatment to see how the cancer is responding. To get clear images, a contrast dye is used, but some patients are allergic to it. Steroids can help control that allergy so that patients can safely get the contrast dye and undergo CT scans.
In addition, MD Anderson research has shown that steroids can help ease cancer-related fatigue, which is different from the tiredness you may feel after a long day. Typically, your energy level is much lower than it was previously, and you can't really pinpoint one cause. We’ve seen that a small dose of steroids can help boost energy to where patients can have a better quality of life. It’s important to note that in the case of treating fatigue, steroids aren’t affecting the cancer, but they’re a valuable tool to help improve your energy level as you're going through cancer treatment.
I too am 5 feet tall. I had Dexamethasone (steroid) during my chemotherapy treatment. I too gained some weight. It is important however that you not lose weight during treatment.
It almost goes without saying that good nutrition is essential during chemotherapy. If your caloric intake is too low, it can lead to weight loss while lowering your ability to cope physically and mentally with your treatment.
Poor nutrition can also lead to a drop in your blood cell counts, resulting in anemia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia. This will not only make you feel tired and fatigued, but it can also lead to the discontinuation of therapy until such time as your levels are restored.
In addition to good nutrition, exercise of any sort can be beneficial if approached wisely and under the supervision of a medical professional. Even a little outdoor activity (such as gardening) can prevent the loss of lean muscle mass key to maintaining strength and mobility.
Overexertion, on the other hand, is not advised as it can not only wear you out but cause inflammation that can worsen any side effects you may be experiencing.
I was also worried about the weight gain. Once chemo finished I was able to shed the excess weight by getting back to my usual, healthy manner of eating. Give your body what it wants during chemo, the steroids are not a forever thing, just necessary during treatment to make the side effects more manageable. Exercise as much as you can as it will help keep fatigue at bay.Adding something u like to eat to get you salivating for reaching something healthy . My fave is tofu scrambled eggs my daughter makes with pancakes and blueberry syrup non sugared , fresh pieces of any fruit on the side . I must confess though I do like my coffee and chai .
There are lots of alternatives to combating nausea . I find effective with with alternatives as ginger shaved in to hot water for a tea, Over counter pharmacy has those ginger chewables travellers use . Ginger bubbly drinks from grocers , even ginger ale pop been around a long time ! I get ginger tea packets , it helps a lot with the warmth ,
Try not obsessing about a bit of weight . Sounds like your on the right track about being active and already fit ! Able to do that and on a regimen of sport activity .
I am the same height, but not returned to my fit activity yet preferring a group motivation with a Buddy . Even if we could do it here on CC like zoom like yoga or something as I get hypoglycaemic. Loved to use a pool leisurely doing laps . More concerned about acquiring an infection or covid being prone under treatment etc . It’s the fact that I cannot return to what kept me active , pool shut down . An inflamed heal . And just found out we have a bear 🐻 in our suburban area. Try not obsessing over that real fear entering my property and space to go outside . I guess I will have to invest in some sort of equipment like an indoor bike or if a soft tread mill something . A member here @Runner Girl may help being on treatments search her out as the link does not work . @Runner Girl,