Key takeaways
- Diet and nutrition plays a key role in supporting your recovery after cancer treatment
- What you eat can support your immune system and help manage side-effects such as changes in body weight and digestive health
- Nutrition can also positively influence your mental health
- While there is a wealth of advice readily available online, not all of it is evidence-based
Not everyone living with and beyond cancer gets to see a dietitian or is given information about nutrition, but this support can be invaluable. What you eat plays a key role in supporting your immune system, aiding your recovery and managing important side-effects such as changes in body weight and digestive health. In this article, our Perci dietitians walk us through key terms, the support they provide, and the importance of eating well after cancer treatment.
What do the terms ‘diet’ and ‘nutrition’ mean?
‘Diet’ refers to everything you eat, and how and why you eat it, over a defined period of time. This includes the timing of your meals and snacks, your cultural preferences and any allergies or intolerances you may have. ‘Nutrition’ covers the specific micronutrient content of your food, plus the way your body absorbs and uses what you eat, for example, for growth, metabolism and tissue repair.
Working with a dietitian
Dietitians are specially qualified to work with people who are unwell in the hospital setting or to manage complex conditions such as cancer. They will be trained not only in diet and nutrition but also in the medical aspects of your treatment, such as the effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.
During a nutritional assessment, a dietitian would ask you to describe what you routinely eat and also ask about things like bowel habits, hydration, recent blood results and body weight, as well as any treatment you may have received or medications or supplements you are currently taking. They look at the whole picture to ensure you receive completely personalised, evidence-based and safe advice.
The importance of a healthy diet and good nutrition
A healthy diet will ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need and aren’t missing out on anything important, as well as help keep your body weight within a healthy range. Diet also supports your mental health by helping your brain function and supporting your mood. It’s important to remember that what we eat affects not just our bodies, but our brains, and how we think and feel, too.
Good nutrition supports your immune function and physical health, including muscle function, bone density, digestive health and energy levels. It also helps with all sorts of important bodily functions, which will support you specifically during recovery, including muscle repair, healing of scars, hair growth and blood glucose control.
While we have ensured that every article is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to one of our healthcare professionals or your primary healthcare team.