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Nutrition
It is important to eat well during and after cancer treatment. You need the
right amount of calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Eating well may help
you feel better and have more energy.
Eating well can be hard. Sometimes, especially during or soon after treatment,
you may not feel like eating. You may be uncomfortable or tired. You may find
that foods do not taste as good as they used to. You also may have side effects
of treatment such as poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
A
registered dietitian can suggest ways to
deal with these problems. Some people with stomach cancer are helped by
receiving nutrition by a feeding tube or by injection into a blood vessel. Some
are helped by nutritional beverage products.
You may want to read the NCI booklet Eating
Hints for Cancer Patients. It contains many useful ideas and
recipes.
Nutrition After Stomach Surgery
Weight loss after surgery for stomach cancer is common. You may need to change
the types of food you eat. A registered dietitian can help you plan a diet that
will give you the nutrition you need.
Another common problem after stomach surgery is
dumping syndrome. This problem occurs when
food or liquid enters the small intestine too fast. It can cause cramps,
nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and dizziness. Eating smaller meals can help
prevent dumping syndrome. Also, you may wish to cut down on very sweet foods
and drinks, such as cookies, candy, soda, and juices. A registered dietitian
can suggest foods to try. Also, your health care team may suggest medicine to
control the symptoms.
You may need to take daily supplements of vitamins and minerals, such as
calcium. You also may need injections of
vitamin B12.
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You may want to ask a registered dietitian these questions about nutrition:
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What foods are best soon after surgery?
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How can I avoid dumping syndrome?
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Are there foods or drinks I should avoid?
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