4 Diet and nutrition during cancer treatment Good nutrition is important for everyone, but even more so when you have cancer. The nutrition needs of people with cancer during treatment depend on the type of cancer they have, which treatments they get, and what side effects they have. Your cancer care team can help you identify your nutrition goals and plan ways to help you meet them. Eating well while you are being treated for cancer may help you: • Feel better • Keep up your strength and energy • Maintain your weight and your body’s store of nutrients • Better tolerate treatment side effects • Lower your risk of infection • Heal and recover Diet and nutrients Eating well means eating a variety of foods to get the nutrients your body needs. These nutrients include proteins, fats, carbohydrates, water, vitamins, and minerals. Proteins Everyone needs protein for growth, to repair body tissue, and to keep the immune system healthy. When your body doesn’t get enough protein from the foods you eat, it might use the protein stored in your muscles. When this happens, it may take you lo p e in T c G le li P d F F d a Y o c f M o
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTM2MzU4