A possible side effect of chemotherapy is loss of appetite. But eating well is important to help your body stay strong during this time of physical and emotional stress.
The U.S. National Cancer Institute suggests ways to boost your appetite:
- Eat at scheduled times each day, even if it means having just a small meal or a few bites of food.
- Eat five or six small meals throughout the day, instead of forcing yourself to eat three big meals.
- If your food tastes metallic, use plastic utensils and glass cookware.
- Get a little exercise every day, even if it's just a quick walk.
- If solid food becomes difficult to swallow, have some soup or even a milkshake.
- Drink fluids throughout the day, but avoid them during and just before a meal, so they don't make you too full to eat.
Health Tip: Get Creative in the Kitchen
Healthy cooking doesn't have to be bland and boring. The American Heart Association offers these healthy cooking techniques to help you prepare delicious, heart-healthy meals:
- Trim away fat from meat before you cook, and look for leaner cuts labeled as "select" or "choice." Stay away from "prime" cuts.
- Choose lean cuts of red meat and pork, such as those labeled "round" or "loin." For poultry, opt for skinless white meat instead of dark meat.
- For a recipe that calls for eggs, nix a whole egg in favor of two egg whites.
- Use fat-free or low-fat cheeses, yogurt or milk in recipes.
- For salad dressings and marinades, choose those with no or little fat.
- Limit how much salt you use when you cook, and look for ingredients that are low in sodium.
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