-
Feeling Tired
Nausea and Vomiting
Sore Mouth, Sore , Throat
Dry Mouth, Thick Saliva
- Taste changes
Feeling
Tired
(obtained
from American Institute of Preventive
Medicine)
I am so
tired that I find it difficult to eat.
What can I do?
Feeling tired
makes shopping for food, cooking, and
even eating a meal difficult. Try the
following tips to get the food you
need. Remember, food will help give
you energy and stamina.
· Use
frozen, canned or ready-to-use foods
or meals
· Prepare
extra servings of your favorite foods
and freeze them for times when you
don't feel like cooking
· Have
ready-to-eat snacks to nibble on such
as cheese and crackers, hard boiled
eggs, canned puddings, ice creams,
yogurt, granola bars, muffins, nuts,
dried fruits and seed mixtures
· Eat
foods that have a lot of calories
· Invites
family or friends over to help you
cook a meal
·
Consider using community programs such as Meals on Wheels, home care
services, or grocery delivery services
to help with shopping or cooking
meals. Ask your dietitian for more
information
-
Nausea
and Vomiting
Eating
makes me feel sick and sometimes I
can't keep the food I eat down. What
can I do?
Nausea
and vomiting can keep you from getting
the nutrients and energy you need. Eat
what you can and be sure to get enough
fluids. You may find the following
tips helpful.
·
Take
anti-nausea medication as prescribed
by your doctor. Check with your doctor
if you are having problems keeping
food down
·
Drink
at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluids
daily to avoid dehydration. Sip fluids
frequently between meals
·
Try
drinking chilled or frozen fluids.
Freeze drinks in ice cube trays
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Sore
Mouth, Sore , Throat
How
can I cope with a sore mouth and throat?
A
sore mouth and throat may be caused by
radiation therapy, certain medications,
chemotherapy and/or infections. Eating
can be made easier by taking care of
your mouth and carefully choosing the
foods that you eat. The following
suggestions will help you eat better.
·
Make
sure your doctor is aware of any mouth
problems you may be experiencing. Your
doctor or nurse will be able to give you
tips about mouth care and mediations
that will ease mouth or throat pain
·
Rinse
your mouth with baking soda and water
mouthwash often during the day to help
clean and refresh your mouth. See below
for the recipe
·
Drink
at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluids daily
to avoid dehydration
·
Make
every bite count. Choose foods and
drinks that are high in calories and
protein.
·
Eat
and drink frequently during the day. Try
eating every two hours and sipping
fluids throughout the day
·
Choose
foods that are easy for you to chew and
swallow. Start with high calorie fluids
if chewing is difficult for you.
Gradually introduce solid foods as you
are able.
|
Baking
Soda and Water Mouthwash
|
|
|
|
5 ml
|
Baking Soda
|
1 tsp
|
|
500 ml
|
Water
|
2 cups
|
|
Combine
baking soda and water and mix well
|
|
|
- Dry
Mouth, Thick Saliva
I
have had a dry mouth since my treatment
began. How can I cope with this?
Radiation
to the head and neck area can change the
type and amount of saliva that your
mouth produces. A dry mouth and thick
saliva may become a problem. Try these
suggestions:
·
Rinse
your mouth with baking soda and water
mouthwash before meals and often during
the day to help clean and refresh your
mouth.See instructions below:
|
Baking
Soda and Water Mouthwash
|
|
|
|
5 ml
|
Baking Soda
|
1 tsp
|
|
500 ml
|
Water
|
2 cups
|
|
Combine
baking soda and water and mix
well.
|
|
|
·
Sip liquids frequently. Carry a water bottle filled with your
favorite beverage
·
Try
sweet or tart drinks such as warm tea
with lemon, lemonade, sweetened iced tea
with lemon and soft drinks. They may
help your mouth produce more saliva. Do
not try this if you have a sore mouth or
throat
·
If
you fink it difficult to use milk and
milk products, try using lower fat milk
products such as 1% and skim milk before
cutting milk out of your diet
completely. Drink water after drinking
milk to rinse your mouth
·
Use
lots of fluids with meals to help keep
foods moist and make them easier to
swallow
·
Use
butter, margarine, sauces or gravy on
dry foods
·
Deep
your lips moist with lip balm or chap
stick (check with your nurse or
radiation technologist about which ones
are recommended)
Taste
changes
I
find that some foods taste strange. What
can I do?
Many
people with cancer find that certain
foods taste different. Each person's
taste is affected differently so you
will need to find which foods appeal to
you. Here are some tips to help you deal
with taste changes.
·
Some
people find that meats have a bitter,
metallic taste. Try chicken, turkey,
dairy products, peanut butter, eggs,
tofu, fish, seafood, legumes and seeds
and nuts for other sources of protein.
Try using plastic utensils if food
tastes metallic.
·
Rinse
your mouth often with baking soda and
water mouthwash.
·
Choose
foods that smell and look good to you
·
Tart
foods may help to overcome a metallic
taste. Try citrus juices, lemonade,
cranberry juices and pickles. Do not
try this if you have a sore mouth or
throat
·
Try
seasoning meats with different spices,
herbs and sauces available at your local
grocery store
·
Choose
foods that do not leave a strong
aftertaste
·
If
you find some drinks are too strong or
too sweet, try adding water
·
Keep
trying a variety of foods and you may
find a new favorite
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