According to the American Cancer Society, more than 76,000 Americans will be diagnosed with some form of kidney cancer this year.

Although there isn’t a specific diet for people living with kidney cancer, good eating habits are vital to maintaining a healthy body and managing the side effects of cancer treatment.

If you are living with cancer, what you eat could affect your day to day life. Find out which foods you should eat more of, which foods you might want to avoid, and what changes to diet you should expect during treatment.

Before starting any new diet or eating plan

It is a good idea to talk with your doctor or a nutrition expert before starting any new eating plan or drastically altering your diet if you have been diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s a good idea to eat a balanced diet, but especially for people with cancer.”

If you have cancer, you should make an effort to include a few foods in your meals, even if it is not possible.

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and a good source of many essential vitamins and minerals. They can also help to reduce cholesterol levels and can help manage your blood sugar. Fiber-rich vegetables, such as There are beans. and peas, are also healthful.

You should aim to have 4 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables from a variety of sources every day.

A few sample portions are available.

  • 1 medium apple.
  • 6 baby carrots.
  • 16 grapes
  • A medium potato.
  • 1 cup of leafy greens.

Whole grains

Whole wheat bread, wild rice, and whole wheat pasta are excellent sources of energy. They are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Certain whole grains, like some whole-grain breads and bran products, can be high in phosphorus. While this common mineral shouldn’t cause an issue for people with healthy kidneys, consuming too much when your kidneys aren’t functioning properly may cause some health problems. This is because the kidneys help to balance the amount of phosphorus in your body.

“Even if you have cancer, small amounts of Phosphorus should be fine. Your doctor’s advice about your personal intake of phosphorus should always be the priority.”

Proteins

Proteins are a necessary part of everyone’s diet, as they help to build and maintain muscle mass. But too much protein for someone with kidney cancer may cause a buildup of food-derived waste in the bloodstream. This may cause symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and headache.

Speak with a doctor or registered dietitian about the amount of food you should eat.

Several foods can increase your risk of having a serious problem with the kidneys. Limit your intake if it is not possible to avoid these foods.

Foods that are high in salt

Too much salt can cause a problem with the fluid balance in your body. This can make the symptoms of reduced kidney function worse.

Processed foods are typically high in sodium, so when possible, try to eat less of:

  • fast food.
  • salty snacks
  • Deli meats are processed.

If possible, use herbs and spices for flavoring. If you are using unconventional herbs, you should check with your doctor.

Foods high in phosphorus

Again, phosphorusis a natural mineral that helps your body in a variety of ways, including contributing to bone strength. But in people with reduced kidney function due to cancer, too much phosphorus can actually weaken your bones, as well as cause other side effects.

If your doctor is concerned about your phosphorus intake, they may recommend you reduce the amount of phosphorus-rich foods you consume, such as:

  • Cocoa.
  • There are beans.
  • processed cereals
  • Some dairy products.
  • They have oysters.

Too much water

People with cancer may be affected by overhydrating. If you have reduced kidney function, you can compromise your urine production.

“It is important for everyone to drink plenty of water, but you should monitor your intake to make sure you don’t consume too much.”

Highly processed foods and beverages

A 2018 prospective study found a 10 percent increase in cancer risk for people who eat ultra-processed foods.

Mortality risk has been associated with lower levels of diet quality. Red and processed meats have corresponded with lower dietary quality.

Limit highly processed foods and beverages.

  • There are packaged bread and snacks.
  • sweetened drinks.
  • The meat is preserved with nitrates.
  • instant noodles and soups.
  • Ready meals are frozen or shelf stable.

Alcohol

Beer, wine, and liquor could interact with the cancer drugs you take. There is also some limited evidence that drinking alcohol may increase the risk of recurrence and mortality for existing cancer.

Going through cancer treatment can have different effects on your body and appetite, and a varied, nutrient-dense diet is one of the best ways to care for you.

Poor appetite

It is common for patients to lose weight during treatment. You may find that your taste for certain foods changes. Things that used to appeal to you may no longer do so.

“You can use trial and error to find some foods that don’t make you sick.”

“If you don’t feel particularly hungry, try to eat regular meals so that you have enough energy to keep going. If you have trouble eating full-sized portions, it may be a good idea to break up your meals into smaller portions.”

No matter when you are hungriest, eat your biggest meal.

Nutrition bars and They make a smoothie. may be good options to get extra calories in if your appetite isn’t what it used to be. Talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian about the healthiest options.

Weakness

It is common to deal with energy changes during cancer treatment. You may have less energy than normal and may even be weak.

Talk with your doctor, dietitian, spouse, or caregiver about meal delivery options. There’s a variety of these available, and many of them have nutrition information front and center. They can help make meal prep a snap, as well as help you eat your desired amount of calories.

There are certain foods that are easy to prepare and help maintain energy. A few of them include.

  • There are fruits.
  • There are nuts and nut butters.
  • Vegetables with healthier dips.
  • Sandwhiches with leaner meat.
  • cheese
  • Hardboiled eggs.
  • Whole grain cereals.
  • Low sugar bars.
  • yogurt
  • They make a smoothie.

Other side effects

Cancer treatment can affect your immune system. You may want to take precautions while preparing and storing your meals.

  • Prepare produce thoroughly.
  • Use separate cutting boards for different types of food.
  • All foods should be cooked well.
  • Unpasteurized milk and juice can be harmful.
  • Be careful with raw foods like sushi, shellfish, and vegetable sprout.
  • Throw produce that looks slimy or moldy.

You may deal with mouth sores or swallowing issues while going through certain types of treatment. If this is the case, there are some methods that may help you maintain your daily caloric and nutrient goals:

  • Use a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth.
  • Steroids or anti-Inflammatory drugs can help manage the pain.
  • Avoid spicy food.
  • Limit acidic juices and There are fruits. like lemons and orange juice.
  • Focus on small meals and foods that are easy to chew, like yogurt, They make a smoothie., and pureed soups.

Solid nutrition can help you on your journey when you are battling cancer.

A balanced, nutrient-dense diet is important for most people. You may want to discuss with your doctor the recommended amount of high-phosphorus foods and salt intake.

Before making any changes to your diet, you should consult with your doctor. If you experience any new side effects, report them as soon as possible.