The holidays may be a joyful time, but may also throw off your routine — especially if you’re undergoing cancer treatment. Travel, gatherings and busy schedules may make it harder to eat regularly or choose nourishing foods. When your eating habits slip, it may trigger a domino effect: you might feel more tired, have a harder time keeping your weight up or even find it difficult to participate in holiday activities.
Read on to learn more from Linda Hang, a clinical dietitian at City of Hope® Cancer Center Duarte, who shares three tips to help you stay strong, enjoy the season and keep your body fueled. This article will cover:
- Why the holidays pose eating challenges
- Tip 1: Find a balance
- Tip 2: Take your needs into consideration
- Tip 3: Look for swaps
If you or a loved one is concerned about possible signs or symptoms of cancer and would like an initial appointment or a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.
Why the Holidays Pose Eating Challenges
For many people with cancer, the holidays make healthy eating more challenging. You might be dealing with side effects like fatigue, nausea, changes in taste or low appetite. Busy schedules, travel and special gatherings with family and friends may also disrupt your normal eating routine. On top of that, the holidays may cause stress or sadness and that might affect your appetite even more. All of these factors may make it tough to get the nutrients your body needs.
“Between different foods and disrupted schedules, patients often struggle with eating well or sticking to their nutrition goals during the holidays,” says Hang. “They might be dealing with a variety of nutrition-impact symptoms or side effects that impact eating — and caregivers often share this stress, too, since they’re usually the ones taking care of the patients, preparing meals and juggling a lot.”
Tip 1: Find a Balance
During the holidays, it’s easy to feel pressure to eat perfectly — but that’s not realistic or necessary. What matters most is balance.
“It’s important to keep a mindset that healthy eating is more about finding a balance, and less about perfection,” Hang says. “Enjoy the foods you love while still getting the nutrition you need.”
She advises her patients to make healthy choices when possible, but also to enjoy favorite holiday foods without guilt.
Tip 2: Take Your Needs Into Consideration
Every person’s needs are different — especially during cancer treatment. The optimal eating plan for you depends on your type of cancer, treatment side effects and what foods you are able to comfortably tolerate.
There’s no single “cancer diet” that works for everyone. Hang says: “At the end of the day, it’s really about what’s right for each patient. For example, some people need to watch their weight or blood sugar, while others need to gain or maintain weight.”
That’s why it’s important to work with a dietitian or your care team to find what supports your specific needs and quality of life during the holidays.
Tip 3: Look for Swaps
Rich or heavy holiday foods may be tough to tolerate during cancer treatment, especially if you’re dealing with a sensitive stomach, nausea or taste changes. Making small swaps — like choosing lighter versions of your favorite dishes or smaller portions — may make meals easier to digest and enjoy.
Hang recommends making mocktails — festive, alcohol-free drinks to celebrate the season— with sparkling water or club soda and fresh ingredients like pomegranate juice, lemon or lime, and muddled herbs.
“For patients who need extra protein, there are now sparkling protein drinks that are refreshing, hydrating and packed with protein.”
If you or a loved one is concerned about possible signs or symptoms of cancer and would like an initial appointment or a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.