Is your nutrition foundation strong? Nutritional Assessment Checklist (PDF) 'After treatment, it's important to think about eating a well-balanced diet and getting plenty of protein and calories to rebuild tissue and regain strength to help with recovery,' she said.
'After treatment, some side effects may go away pretty quickly.' For instance, a sore or dry mouth may subside within a week after treatment, but poor appetite or weight loss may linger for weeks or months, according to Sauer. 'When you finish your treatment, you may still be at risk for malnutrition and depleted muscle mass,' explained Abby Sauer, MPH, RD, an Abbott dietitian. That's why nutrition during recovery can become even more important. Cancer treatment is accompanied by a handful of side effects that can affect nutritional status, such as:Īlso, weight fluctuations are common during treatment, with many people experiencing nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition.įollowing a balanced diet during cancer treatment can help keep you strong, but it's not always easy to get all the nutrients you need with these symptoms in the equation.
