Cancer treatment can take a significant toll on your body, affecting everything from your
energy levels to your appetite. Maintaining a healthy weight during this time is crucial for
your overall well-being and can support your body’s ability to heal and respond to treatment.
However, it’s common for cancer patients to experience weight loss due to the side effects of
treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, or, in some cases, weight gain due to
medications like steroids. At Curo Care, we understand the challenges of balancing nutrition
and weight during cancer treatment, and we are here to offer guidance and support. Here are
some tips on how to maintain a healthy weight during cancer treatment.
1. Understand the Importance of Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight during cancer treatment is about more than just appearance—it
plays a key role in your recovery and overall health. Being underweight or overweight can
both impact your treatment outcomes and your ability to cope with side effects.
∙Supporting Treatment: A healthy weight helps your body better tolerate cancer
treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. It can also reduce the risk of
complications during and after treatment.
∙Boosting Immune Function: Proper nutrition and maintaining a healthy weight
support your immune system, which is crucial for fighting infections and helping your
body recover from treatment.
∙Improving Energy Levels: A healthy weight can help maintain your energy levels,
allowing you to stay more active and engaged in your daily life during treatment.
∙Curo Care’s Role: Curo Care provides personalized nutrition and health coaching to
help you maintain a healthy weight during cancer treatment. Our health coaches work
with you to create a balanced diet plan that meets your unique needs and supports
your overall well-being.
2. Focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods
Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods is essential for maintaining a healthy weight and
supporting your body during cancer treatment. Nutrient-dense foods provide the vitamins,
minerals, and energy your body needs to function optimally.
∙Include Protein: Protein is crucial for maintaining muscle mass and repairing tissues
during treatment. Include lean protein sources like chicken, fish, eggs, beans, and tofu
in your meals.
∙Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential
vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage. Aim
for a variety of colorful produce to ensure you’re getting a broad range of nutrients.
∙Choose Whole Grains: Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread
provide complex carbohydrates that give you energy and keep you feeling fuller for
longer.
∙Incorporate Healthy Fats: Healthy fats, such as those found in avocados, nuts,
seeds, and olive oil, can help provide energy and support your immune system.
∙Curo Care’s Role: Curo Care’s health coaches work with you to develop a meal plan
that focuses on nutrient-dense foods. We provide guidance on portion sizes, meal
timing, and food choices that will help you maintain your weight and meet your
nutritional needs during treatment.
3. Eat Small, Frequent Meals
Cancer treatment can affect your appetite, making it difficult to eat large meals. If you’re
struggling with a reduced appetite or nausea, eating small, frequent meals throughout the day
can help you maintain your weight.
∙Snack Smart: Choose nutrient-dense snacks like nuts, yogurt, or a piece of fruit to
help you get the calories and nutrients you need without overwhelming your stomach.
∙Stay Hydrated: Drinking fluids is essential, but try to avoid filling up on liquids
before meals. Sip on water, herbal tea, or clear broths between meals to stay hydrated
without affecting your appetite.
∙Focus on Calorie-Dense Foods: If you’re finding it hard to eat enough, focus on
foods that are higher in calories but still nutritious. Adding healthy fats like nut
butters, olive oil, or avocado to your meals can increase your calorie intake without
requiring you to eat large quantities of food.
∙Curo Care’s Role: Curo Care provides tips and strategies to help you eat smaller,
more frequent meals. Our health coaches can suggest nutrient-dense snacks and
calorie-boosting additions to your meals to ensure you’re getting enough calories and
nutrients throughout the day.
4. Manage Side Effects that Affect Eating
Cancer treatment often comes with side effects like nausea, vomiting, taste changes, and
mouth sores, which can make eating difficult. Managing these side effects can help you
maintain a healthy weight.
∙Nausea and Vomiting: If you’re experiencing nausea, try eating bland, easy-to-digest
foods like crackers, toast, or rice. Ginger tea or candies may help soothe your
stomach, and eating smaller meals more frequently can prevent your stomach from
becoming too full.
∙Taste Changes: Cancer treatments can alter your taste, making some foods taste
different or less appealing. Experiment with different flavors and seasonings to make
your meals more enjoyable. If food tastes metallic, try using plastic utensils instead of
metal ones.
∙Mouth Sores: If you have mouth sores, opt for soft, bland foods that are easy to
swallow, such as smoothies, mashed potatoes, or oatmeal. Avoid acidic, spicy, or
rough-textured foods that can irritate your mouth.
∙Curo Care’s Role: Curo Care helps you manage treatment-related side effects that
affect your ability to eat. Our health coaches offer practical tips for dealing with
nausea, taste changes, and mouth sores, ensuring that you can continue to nourish
your body despite these challenges.
5. Stay Active
Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve your energy levels, and
support your overall health during cancer treatment. Even light exercise can make a
difference.
∙Gentle Exercise: Activities like walking, yoga, or stretching can help keep your
muscles strong, improve circulation, and boost your mood. Exercise can also help
stimulate your appetite if you’re struggling to eat enough.
∙Listen to Your Body: It’s important to find a balance between staying active and
getting enough rest. Listen to your body’s signals and avoid overexertion. If you’re
feeling tired, it’s okay to take a break.
∙Incorporate Activity into Your Day: You don’t need to do a full workout to stay
active. Small activities like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, doing light
household chores, or taking short walks can help you stay physically active without
overdoing it.
∙Curo Care’s Role: Curo Care’s health coaches help you incorporate gentle exercise
into your routine in a way that supports your weight maintenance and overall health.
We provide personalized exercise plans that fit your energy levels and physical
capabilities.
6. Get Professional Support
Maintaining a healthy weight during cancer treatment can be challenging, and it’s important
to seek support from healthcare professionals, including dietitians and nutritionists, who can
help guide you through this process.
∙Work with a Dietitian: A registered dietitian who specializes in oncology nutrition
can create a personalized meal plan that meets your nutritional needs and helps you
maintain a healthy weight.
∙Monitor Your Progress: Regular check-ins with your healthcare team can help you
track your weight and make adjustments to your diet and exercise plan as needed.
Your team can also help you address any new challenges that arise during treatment.
∙Consider Supplements: If you’re struggling to get enough nutrients from food alone,
your healthcare team may recommend supplements like protein shakes or vitamin and
mineral supplements. These can help you meet your nutritional needs without
requiring you to eat large amounts of food.
∙Curo Care’s Role: Curo Care connects you with professional support, including
dietitians and nutritionists, to help you maintain a healthy weight during treatment.
Our health coaches work with you and your healthcare team to ensure that your
nutrition plan supports your overall health and recovery.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy weight during cancer treatment is an important part of your overall
care and recovery. By focusing on nutrient-dense foods, managing side effects, staying active,
and seeking professional support, you can help your body stay strong and resilient throughout
your treatment journey. At Curo Care, we are here to support you every step of the way with
personalized health coaching, nutritional guidance, and practical strategies to help you
maintain your weight and optimize your health. Contact Curo Care today to learn more about
how we can help you navigate the challenges of cancer treatment and achieve your health
goals.
