Spicy Foods Chili peppers, hot mustard, and other spicy foods can irritate your stomach lining and cause uncomfortable gastrointestinal (GI) flare-ups.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762990eaf76f-bb1d-4754-b83b-9b76c6b503f6 Foods loaded with hot flavor can also worsen mouth sores that often happen with chemotherapy treatment.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ec2e182a-37d8-4f7e-bc9f-d8721eb5fb69 To be kind to your mouth and stomach, stick to blander, more mild foods like mashed potatoes, rice, smoothies, yogurt, pureed non-citrus fruits, and cereal.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629766be74f-525e-4be5-b3d8-1b584682d6d7e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762990eaf76f-bb1d-4754-b83b-9b76c6b503f6 Some people also find munching on dry foods like crackers and pretzels through the day can help ease GI symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762985006c7c-d334-4c31-b894-ea86fed107cc Spicy Foods
Steak You need plenty of protein during lung cancer treatment, but a steak may not be your best option. Red meats like beef, pork, and lamb have excessive saturated fats and compounds that can increase your risk for other cancers.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293b8e95e1-0d45-4f45-9ef1-57729ab2029ae60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b1070a07-68e5-4ae8-b370-5cdf22e0281d “Focus on protein sources from lean meats such as chicken, fish, and turkey, or nonanimal proteins like nut butters, beans, and whole soy foods such as tofu and tempeh,” says Kerry St. Pierre, RD , licensed dietitian nutritionist in New York City and secretary of the cancer interest group at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Steak
Tomatoes Tomatoes are highly acidic, and eating them can worsen digestion problems. Other foods high in acid can do the same, such as citrus fruits, coffee, and vinegar.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d420b5c6-c541-4e98-abe1-4ba018afb673 Acidic foods don’t just upset your stomach; they can also irritate mouth sores. But sticking with low-acid choices, such as bananas, brown rice, and yogurt, can help ease these symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a362d14a-1559-488b-a8a8-3ba2645ea424 Tomatoes
Alcohol Although it’s a beverage and not a food, alcohol should also be avoided if you have lung cancer, since it can cause dehydration if you’re undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762940751b4c-ebd0-4262-92c8-c73f8bad62b7 “It’s crucial to remain hydrated during lung cancer treatment, and even small amounts of alcohol like one glass of wine or beer can contribute to dehydration,” says St. Pierre. She adds that maintaining proper hydration can make treatment side effects less severe, and it lowers your odds of missing lung cancer treatments. Alcohol may also make chemotherapy drugs less effective and can worsen uncomfortable GI symptoms like nausea and vomiting.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ae58522a-2538-4448-83ad-870bcb3233b5e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762940751b4c-ebd0-4262-92c8-c73f8bad62b7 “It is best for lung cancer patients to avoid alcohol and instead hydrate with water, herbal and green teas, smoothies, and diluted juice,” says St. Pierre. Alcohol
Runny Eggs Your body’s immune system can’t function at its best during lung cancer treatment, so it’s important to avoid unnecessary exposure to infectious germs. Eggs that are cooked over-easy, poached, soft-boiled, or sunny-side up could carry salmonella , a bacterial bug that causes stomach flu–like symptoms.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292faecd99-aeb1-4bd5-833c-be2f93542ecce60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293261ba9d-9a8c-419f-89b0-e2d51bd95bbb You can avoid a salmonella infection by preparing and ordering your eggs fully cooked during treatment. Also steer clear of Caesar salad dressing, homemade eggnog, raw cookie dough, hollandaise sauce, and homemade mayo, since these foods are usually made with raw eggs.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c5b109f4-2046-4873-8064-e681f6556bde Runny Eggs
Sushi A suppressed immune system during cancer treatment also puts you at higher risk for food-borne parasites, bacteria, and viruses from raw or undercooked foods, like sushi.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d8fe0ecd-d169-491f-b650-c1190519edf5e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294e046be9-8b5f-4c17-a776-9e46819b5c4a If you adore sushi or maki rolls and don’t want to give them up, order them with cooked fish, like California, unagi, or shrimp tempura rolls. If you’re currently undergoing lung cancer treatment, also consider skipping the spicy wasabi to keep your stomach and mouth happier during treatment. Sushi
Deli Meat Deli meats make delicious sandwiches, but they can contain a type of bacteria called listeria , which can cause a serious infection in people with a weak immune system.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290bcffebb-0260-46b1-88a3-830ee431cdec “Processed meats are [also] often high in saturated fat, which can exacerbate post-treatment symptoms such as nausea, bloating, reflux, and heartburn,” says St. Pierre. Instead of sliced sandwich meat, try roasted chicken, canned tuna, hard-boiled egg salad, or peanut butter and jelly. If treatment has left you feeling like nothing sounds good, ask your healthcare provider to connect you with a registered dietitian, who can help you design an appetizing diet tailored for you. Deli Meat
The Takeaway When you’re undergoing lung cancer treatment, some foods can make you feel worse. Others may help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms, such as mouth sores, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Different types of foods can cause different problems. Spicy or acidic foods may irritate your mouth or gastrointestinal tract, and raw foods can make you more susceptible to food-borne illnesses. If you feel overwhelmed by your dietary limitations or don’t have much of an appetite due to treatment, your healthcare provider can refer you to a registered dietitian, who can help you design a diet that’s safe and appetizing.
Lung cancer treatment can cause side effects like fatigue, nausea , vomiting, diarrhea, and taste changes, and your dietary choices can affect your symptoms. Diets that include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains can help ease uncomfortable symptoms, but other foods can magnify them.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292cb4f62a-83a7-4db9-b524-4d21cffa96cde60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296668bab0-f45c-438c-b102-a765f856374e You may not feel like eating much while in treatment, but nutrition plays an important role in lung cancer recovery.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292cb4f62a-83a7-4db9-b524-4d21cffa96cd Avoiding foods that aggravate your symptoms can make the journey easier.
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