When a loved one has cancer, the caregiver(s) are just as an important part of their care team as the oncologist. The caregiver(s) for a cancer patient feel so many roles from therapist to chef to driver to nurse! One of the things that I love about my job working with oncology patients is that I also get to know their caregivers. While my role is primarily to work with my patients, I often give nutrition advice to their caregivers too because it can be easy to neglect your health when you are busy caring for a loved one with cancer.
If you are a caregiver these are my tips for you to help your focus on staying healthy while providing the essential care that your loved ones needs.
Tip #1: Eating a Healthy Diet
One of the most important things you can do to stay healthy is to eat a balanced diet
How to build a plate
½ veggies, ¼ protein, ¼ high quality carbohydrates or starchy vegetables
Fuel throughout the day
Skipping meals is easy to do when you’re so busy as a caregiver, but it can lead to low energy levels, fatigue, low blood sugar or overeating at night.
Tip #2: Plan Out Your Meals In Advance
Taking a couple of hours once a week to prepare meals can save a lot of time in the long run or be convenient in your busy week.
This is a great opportunity to include the family member you are caring for if they’re able or your kids for a bonding moment / break from the stress that comes with cancer treatment or, a great moment for “me time”
Remember everything does not have to be homemade
Meal services
Keep in mind they aren’t all created equal. Look for one that has balanced plates, has prep time that works for you, fits your budget, has fresh ingredients, whole grains, low sodium, protein
For patients: meals on wheels, community servings
Meal Trains:
Reach out to your support system to help you with preparing meals for your loved one with cancer and also yourself to decrease the stress of preparing meals.
Prepared meals or frozen meals from grocery store.
Protein shakes
Restaurants/take out
Snacks
Tip #3: How to eat healthy when at the hospital.
Continue to use plating method of 50% fruit/vegetables, 25% protein, 25% carbohydrates
Salad bar
Veggies as the base
Add protein
Add carb
Hot bar
Vegetable (or side salad)
Whole grains
Lean meats
Chicken, fish
Avoid heavy sauce
Skip or a little on the side
Sandwich station
Add vegetables (including lettuce, tomato onions)
Whole wheat bread/wrap
Fresh meat is better than deli meat
Sometimes swap chips for fruit, side salad, etc
Tip #4: When dealing this the stress of being a caregiver it is not uncommon to see your weight increase or decrease.
Monitor your weight by noticing how your clothes fit different or if you face looks different or check the scale periodically
Reach out to your doctor if you notice changes in your weight
The stress of being a caregiver can lead to unintentional weight gain or weight loss
Reasons for Weight Gain:
We want to avoid weight gain because it can lead to diabetes, heart disease, high BP, stroke, and even some types of cancer
Stress eating
Eating high calorie, sugar, fat foods triggers the reward center of our brain, making us feel safe and happy
Coping mechanism
Type healthier foods or a non-food stress relief activity
Your calorie needs are less than the person you’re caring for
Oncology patients are on high calorie high protein diet
Eating the same meals as them can lead to unintentional weight gain
Reasons for Weight Loss
Don’t forget that weight loss can be just as harmful and detrimental as unintentional weight gain
Look for signs:
Decreased portion sizes
Skipping meals
Clothes fit differently
Weight loss on the scale
If your weight is steadily going down week to week, month to month
Bring it up with your doctor
Other signs you’re not eating enough
Dizziness, nausea, fatigue → hypoglycemia
Skipping meals
Small portions
Loose clothing
Low blood sugar
Low electrolytes
Poor endurance (including everyday tasks like going up the stairs)
Cancer is a very hot topic for people to post about online and messages can be very conflicting. To make sure you are providing your loved one and yourself with sound nutrition advice. Credible sources include:
Cancer Institutes: Sloan, Dana Farber, Mayo Clinic
Registered Dietitians
PCP or Oncologist
Peer-Reviewed Research
Need help navigating how to get yourself on the best diet for you? Reach out today to schedule your free discovery call to get started with working with a dietitian to improve your diet and health. Click here to fill out a contact form and schedule a discovery call.
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