Got a Cancer Diagnosis? Become a Survivor


Carolyn Guilford, CNC
Carolyn Guilford, CNC

“Let your medicine be your food and your food be your medicine.”

This could be the best dietary advice for us all. If you are fighting cancer, eating right will keep your body in the best condition. For a cancer patient, the most important decision each day is the choice of food.

During whatever treatment, and after – as well, nutrition is a matter of life and death. Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells grow uncontrolled beyond there normal limits, invading and destroying adjacent tissues, and sometimes spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood.

The common treatments, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are designed to stop the spread of cancerous cells. During these treatments the body is working extremely hard: eliminating the cancer cells, seeking to replace cells damaged by the treatment, and safeguards the remaining healthy cells.

The stress the body encounters in these tasks is so great; it ups the body’s need for nutrients to a new level, just to maintain normal bodily functions. Malnutrition and weight loss is extremely dangerous for the patient in cancer treatment. But, the good news is that a diet filled with the proper nutrients will often reduce the bad side effects of treatment and shorten recovery time.

In my experience I know that malnutrition can be prevented by simply eating enough vitamin and anti-oxidant rich foods, and starting as early as possible will ensure long-term survival. Lots of fruits and vegetables (at least 7-8 servings a day), the 100% whole grain breads and cereals, fish, and low-fat dairy. And, just as important is what not to eat: avoid junk foods, cut back on fats and alcohol. Cutting out the sugar is essential. Not only are these “empty calories”, but in the case of sugar, it feeds cancer in the body. Packing in the appropriate nutrients allows and assists the body in rebuilding damaged cells, and antioxidants actually help fight cancer directly. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong foods may seem a difficult adjustment at first, but it is very possible, and necessary. For those with changes in taste: rinse your mouth before eating. Eat fish, eggs and cheeses chilled. Skip red meats and try for more milk shakes, puddings, cheese, and other highprotein choices. Try lemon flavored drinks to stimulate saliva and taste, (avoid artificial lemon flavor and artificial sweeteners). All chemotherapy and radiation patients probably need to drink more fluids in general and especially after treatments, but for those with trouble chewing or swallowing, fluids become absolutely essential.

Water, juice made at home (get a juicer, please), soups, milk, and gelatin are all suitable fluids. If drinking is difficult, try for frequent sips throughout the day as opposed to drinking full servings all at once, (try drinking from a straw, too). Stay the course, this is a battle fought one day at a time. And the best work you can do is to supply your body with the best possible nutrition and a positive mind-set.

This is just the beginning of how to become a cancer survivor. If you are interested in becoming a client of Health Restoration Consulting, please call or write to:

Carolyn Guilford, CNC,

Health Restoration

Consulting

Post Office Box 2814
Savannah, GA 31402 or call

912 236-8987


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