CANCER & NUTRITION

Good nutrition is essential during cancer treatment. It can help the body manage both physical and emotional challenges. A well-balanced diet can help maintain strength and energy levels, which are often diminished due to the side effects of treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. Proper nutrition can help you reduce fatigue, enhance recovery, and maintain a healthy weight—key factors for overall well-being during this challenging period.

Proper nutrition can help strengthen the immune system, which is crucial for preventing infections and complications that may occur during treatment. Nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, are vital for immune function. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins provides these essential nutrients, aiding the body’s healing process and improving the response to treatment. Protein is an essential element in the diet during this time period because muscle is often lost during cancer treatment. Protein helps with tissue repair, immune system health, and fighting infections.

Nutrition has the ability to positively influence mental health, a necessary aspect during cancer treatment. A balanced diet can enhance mood, alleviate anxiety and depression, and improve overall quality of life. Many patients find that nourishing their bodies supports physical recovery and boosts their psychological resilience, offering a sense of control during a challenging time. Ultimately, prioritizing nutrition is a crucial part of effective cancer care.

NUTRITION & DIET LINKS

NUTRITION

DOWNLOADABLE NUTRITIONAL PDF

National Cancer Institute: Eating hints: Before, during, and after cancer

DIETICIAN & TELEDIETICANS

APPS FOR YOUR PHONE

From your app store on your phone, find which one that works best for you.

Protein Trackers: Protein Pal, Protein Log, Hello Protein, Protein Tracker
Calorie Trackers: MyFitness Pal, MyNewDiary, LifeSum, Loseit!
Cancer-Related Apps: ACSCares, Outcomes4Me
Helpful Apps: GoodRx (discount on prescription medications), LivingWith or Lotsa (helps friends & family organize caregiving), Calm or MindShift CBT (breathing, guided meditations)

You can read more about some of these apps here: Cancer apps

COMMUNITY RESOURCE LINKS

Livingston Parish, St. Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, and Washington Parish
findhelp.org or findhelp.com

Livingston Parish

   Livingston - Council on Aging: Phone:(225) 664-9343 Services on Website
         - Helpful Information with Resources: Resources
                   - Meal Information, Meal Sites, Daily Menu: Nutritional Sites
   Nutritional Services
         - Greater Baton Rouge - Food Bank: (Click "find food", then enter your zip code to find your closest resources.)
         - Livingston Church - Food Pantry: 10 am on the third Saturday of each month (check the website for any date

St. Tammany Parish

Transportation: St. Tammany Council on Aging: Coast Seniors
       - Transportation Info: Coast Seniors Transportation
Nutritional Services
       - Second Harvest Food Bank (Type in your city to find your closest resource)
       - Northshore Food Bank
           Phone: 985-809-2072or email kmcswain@northshorefoodbank.org
         - Coast Seniors: Nutrition Department: (985) 892-0377 - Beverly Baham: Nutrition Coordinator
- Meals are also provided to homebound persons throughout the parish. Other criteria may also apply.

Tangipahoa Parish

     Transportation
                - Tangipahoa Voluntary Council on Aging: Tangipahoa Transportation
                                  - Phone (985) 748-7486
          - Public Transportation Bus Schedules
                                  - Hammond Bus Schedule
                                  - Ponchatoula Bus Schedule
     Nutritional Services
                - Second Harvest Food Bank (Type in your city to find your closest resource)

Washington Parish

Transportation
         - Washington Parish - Council on Aging transportation website
                   - Phone: (985) 732-6868 or (985) 839-4535
         - Council on Aging Meal Information: Nutritional information
Nutritional Services
         - Washington Parish Food Bank: Food Bank - 2208 Washington St., Franklinton, LA
                   -Phone: (985) 322-2017
         - Bogalusa Help Center: Help Center - 350 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Bogalusa, LA
                   - Phone: (985) 735-6404
         - Second Harvest Food Bank (Type in your city to find your closest resource)
Resource Page
         - Washington Parish list of resources: Resource Page

MENU SAMPLES

*These recipes, among others, can be found at cancerdietitian.com/category/recipes

SUMMER VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

Ingredients
1 Bell Pepper
1 Garlic Clove
1/2 lb tomatoes
1/2 lb Yukon gold potatoes
1 small onion
2 small zucchini
3 tbsp shredded parmesan
Olive oil for drizzling
Salt, pepper, and thyme to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch baking pan with olive oil
Slice potatoes, zucchini, and tomatoes into 1/4-inch slices. Slice onion and pepper thinly. Mince garlic
Spread the potatoes in the dish in an even layer. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper
In a bowl, combine the bell pepper, onion, garlic, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange 2/3 of the pepper mixture over the potatoes and drizzle with oil
Top with tomatoes and zucchini. Drizzle with oil and add salt and pepper. Add remaining pepper mixture and sprinkle with cheese
Cover casserole with foil and bake for 40 min. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees. Uncover the casserole and bake for another 20 minutes

CHOCOLATE AVOCADO PUDDING

Ingredients

1 ripe avocado (diced)
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp sea salt

Directions

Place avocado into a food processor and puree until only small bits of the avocado remain
Add honey, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt, and process until well combined. Scrape sides to ensure cocoa powder is incorporated
Gradually add 1 Tbsp of water at a time to achieve a creamy consistency
Adjust seasoning with lemon juice to taste
Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour
Garnish with raspberries

CHERRY LEMON SMOOTHIE