Terminal cancer patients who have limitations in consuming certain types of food. Receiving proper nutrition helps provide sufficient energy and nutrients to support a strong immune system and reduce various complications.
What should palliative care patients eat?
Palliative care in cancer patients with complications or side effects that cause physical deterioration, combined with specific problems that prevent normal food intake. Without proper and individualized nutritional care, cancer patients may become malnourished, affecting their quality of life, such as being bedridden, having bad sores, and muscle wasting.
Causes that put cancer patients at risk of malnutrition
- Cancer cells produce certain chemicals that accelerate metabolism, increasing the body’s energy demand. Receiving adequate energy and nutrients is essential.
- Cancer patients experience various side effects that may reduce food intake and cause loss of appetite, while the body requires more energy, making malnutrition more likely.
To keep patients strong and feeling better, attention should be given to their nutrition. Appropriate nutrition in palliative care can be divided into two types:
- Nutrition for cancer patients at different stages
- Nutrition for terminal patients
Nutrition in cancer patients
When cancer is diagnosed, treatment plans may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of methods to destroy cancer cells. These treatments can cause side effects such as:
- Loss of appetite
- Food aversion or changes in smell perception
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight changes (gain or loss)
- Dry mouth, mouth sores, sore throat, difficulty swallowing
- Changes in taste perception
- Dental and gum problems
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Lactose intolerance (found in cow’s milk)
Commonly found in patients receiving abdominal radiation or antibiotics.
When patients experience these symptoms, to ensure they receive sufficient energy and nutrients, dietary adjustments according to the symptoms are necessary. This helps patients recover faster, reduces treatment complications, improves the effectiveness of care plans, and importantly, makes patients feel refreshed, energetic, and motivated to fight the disease.
Preparing appropriate food should be done in collaboration with medical personnel to create a suitable nutrition plan. Examples include:
- Patients with loss of appetite should have their meals divided into 4-6 small portions to ensure adequate nutrient intake. Foods should be high in protein such as milk, eggs, beans, meat, and include energy sources like rice bran oil, olive oil, as well as grains and starches like corn, taro, potatoes, or any type of rice in sufficient amounts. Medical nutritional supplements for immune support can be given as drinks or meal replacements.
- Patients with nausea should choose foods with mild smells and soft textures that are easy to eat, such as rice porridge, broth, and soup. Avoid greasy or fried foods. Dry foods like crackers or rolled wafers can help reduce symptoms.
- Patients with mouth sores or pain in the mouth and tongue should eat foods that are not hot but at room temperature, and avoid spicy, salty, hard, or acidic foods.
- For difficulty swallowing, foods should be soft and easy to chew and swallow, such as rice porridge, vegetable mixed congee, jelly, pudding, soft-boiled eggs, and oatmeal.
- Patients who have lost weight should increase calories and protein in their diet, or in some cases, add medical nutritional supplements.
Nutrition for terminal cancer patients
For terminal cancer patients approaching the end of life, appropriate nutrition is important. However, the patient’s appetite and preferences are also crucial. Generally, terminal patients are allowed to eat whatever they want, but the quantity should be controlled, especially foods high in fat and sugar. One special meal may be allowed as a treat for the patient.
What are the main nutrients cancer patients need?
To prevent the risk of malnutrition in cancer patients, caregivers should prepare food that provides sufficient energy and nutrients as follows:
- Energy
Energy is a primary nutrient necessary for patients, obtained from carbohydrates and fats. In severe cases with extreme weight loss, energy needs may be higher than normal, up to 3000 – 4000 kilocalories per day, while normal people require 1500 – 2000 kilocalories per day. However, excessive intake of fats, especially saturated and trans fats, should be avoided. - Protein
Protein intake should average 80-100 grams per day depending on body weight and disease severity. High-quality proteins containing all essential amino acids, such as meat and eggs, should be chosen to help repair tissues and build immunity. - Vitamins and minerals
Consume brightly colored fruits and vegetables to obtain antioxidants and sufficient amounts of vitamins B, C, A, D, E, and zinc. These can be found in boiled vegetables, soybeans, whole grains, as well as meat and whole eggs. - Drink enough water, 2-3 liters per day
For relatives or caregivers of palliative or cancer patients, to prepare appropriate and complete meals, it is recommended to consult doctors, dietitians, or nutritionists for planning. The important point is to focus on immune-boosting foods and protein, and to eat a variety of foods.
