Articles
Maintaining Adequate Nutrition during Cancer Treatment
Going through cancer, and the associated treatments, is highly taxing on the body. To give your body the best chance of fighting it and to help prevent a compromised immune system, it is important to have an energy dense diet, rich in kilojoules, protein, vitamins and minerals. Cancer treatment will often leave one feeling unwell, and not wanting to eat. In this case, a supplement is recommended. Choose a commercial one or try a home prepared enriched drink.
Commercially available supplements
There are a number of commercial supplements including standard supplements, high calories supplements and supplements specifically designed for cancer. As long as the supplement is energy dense, and has a good source of protein, the choice is up to the individual. A dietitian can help by recommending a supplement that is appropriate to your situation, and your tastes. Taste is an important aspect as supplements can often make up a large portion of your daily intake, and a dislike of the supplement may prevent adequate intake. Here are a few examples below.
Standard Supplements
Sustagen – available in a hospital formula, a standard formula, tetra packs and as a pudding. They are available in vanilla, chocolate and Dutch chocolate flavours. Some products can be purchased in supermarkets, whilst others are only available from the chemist.
Ensure – available in a hospital formula and cans in vanilla and chocolate flavour.
High Calorie Supplements
Ensure Plus – available in cans and tetra packs in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, banana and fruits of the forest flavours.
Resource Plus – available in tetra packs in chocolate and strawberry flavour. There is also a Resource Plus Fibre, available in vanilla flavour.
Two Cal HN – a high protein canned formula, available in vanilla flavour.
Cancer Specific Supplements
Prosure – available in tetra packs or powder, aimed at cancer related weight loss, vanilla and chocolate flavour.
Forticare – high in protein, carbohydrate and fat, without the milky texture and taste. Available in tetra packs, flavours orange, lemon, peach and ginger.
Fortisip Multi Fibre – a supplement high in protein, carbohydrate fat and fibre. Available in tetra packs as vanilla, chocolate, banana, toffee, strawberry and tropical flavours.
Make your own
If you do not wish to purchase a commercially available supplement, there are ways to make homemade energy and protein dense supplements. Keep in mind, commercial supplements are specifically formulated to ensure a good supply of all the nutrients required. Home-made formulas will not be as specific, but can work well in conjunction if they supply a good source of kilojoules, fat, protein and carbohydrate. They become specifically important if taste is an issue that is preventing intake. Chat to your dietitian for home-made supplement recipes, and try these examples below.
ENRICHED SUPPLEMENT (Sustagen/Ensure/Emprocal)
1 glass milk
3 tablespoons Sustagen/Ensure/Emprocal powder
2 scoops ice-cream
MILO 1 glass milk
3 tablespoons Milo
2 scoops ice-cream
FRUIT SMOOTHIE
1 glass milk
3 tablespoons skim milk powder
2 scoops ice-cream
2 bananas or 1 cup canned fruit (peaches/pears)
LASSI 1 glass milk
3 tablespoons skim milk powder
1 cup yoghurt (natural or flavoured)
FLAVOURED MILK
1 glass milk
3 tablespoons skim milk powder
1 Tablespoon Nesquick
Added to site on : Thursday, 12 July 2012