february, 2019 | The Health
Nutritions
27
27
The
diet for
cancer
patients
Portion control in food is the
ideal way for us to eat healthily,
and it rings especially true for
cancer patients.
A
ccording to Lifestyle Change
Manager Datin Farah Diba Khan, we
are already used to having tips from
nutritionists on portion control for
individuals, yet not so much for cancer
patients specifically.
“The diet for cancer patients is different in a sense
that they need to be prescribed by their doctors first,
based on their current condition,” she starts.
Farah says that as a cancer patient, you would need
a high calorie diet to compensate for the weight loss.
“Nutrition is of the utmost importance, as you
would need enough energy for treatments, and to
sustain your health later on.”
The type of diet to be set for cancer patients should
are also moulded to accommodate the type of cancer
they have. “Whether it’d be food with low residue, less
fibre, high fibre, or even a liquid diet will be chosen
for patients.”
Recommended snack food
for cancer patients
Yogurt with fresh fruits and oat is highly nutritious
and good for digestion
• Toast with butter (or margarine)
• Yogurt (not yogurt drinks)
• Muffins
• Pies or curry puffs that are baked
• Milkshakes or smoothies containing
highly nutritious ingredients
Low residue diet
Patients who are set to take on this type of diet are
usually the ones who need their digestive system and
intestines to ‘rest’.
“Low residue diet might be prescribed to patients
who are going through cancer of the intestine or
chronic inflammatory bowel disease,” explains Farah.
When the patients have low appetite
For patients who may have lost appetite, the suit-
able diet to have is a balanced one. They should choose
to have food with enough carbohydrates, protein, and
fat – in accordance to each patients’ nutritionist.
“You should stay away from fried foods, and should
instead go for grilled, steamed, or boiled dishes. And
be mindful, as food containing coconut milk will also
contain saturated fat, of which you need to stay far
away from,” she warns.
Diet during treatment
AGAINST CANCER: Datin Farah Diba Khan,
Lifestyle Change Manager.
It is definitely not an easy diet to follow, but the diet
is to help the patients be as healthy as they can during
treatment.
“Most importantly, you should veer away from
half-cooked foods especially during therapy. It is to
prevent any gastrointestinal infection. Also, if you are
to eat out, be sure to choose restaurants that are clean
and well maintained.
Other than diet, cancer patients are encouraged to
lead an active lifestyle to help increase the quality of
health. — The Health
Almond milk, healthy and cantic
A
Almond milk cereal
Almond milk fruit pudding
lmond milk often becomes an alternative
for people who are lactose intolerant, as well
as vegetarians who doesn’t consume milk.
Even though almond milk doesn’t have the same
nutritional value as cow’s milk, it is actually quite
close. However, what makes almond milk especially
popular is that it’s low in calories compared to cow’s
milk (as long as you don’t add in sugar).
It is also free of fat and lactose. Almond milk
made the natural way is full of vitamins and miner-
als, especially vitamin E which is good for your skin.
Drinking almond milk on its own is enjoyable,
yet the creamy texture and nutty taste can be
boring at some point. Perhaps there are ways to
spice it up a bit? Get your almond milk fix with
these awesome recipes you can try at home! — The
Health Ingredients;
• Rolled oats
• Almond milk
• Fresh strawberries
• Fresh pomegranate
• Frozen grapes
• Pumpkin seeds
• Peanut butter
Instructions;
• Mix in the rolled oats with the almond milk and let
chilled overnight
• Once perfectly chilled, mix in together the
strawberries, pomegranate, grapes, pumpkin
seeds, and peanut butter.
• Enjoy!
Special thanks to Lieyana Halim for the recipes Facts: Almond milk is consumed regularly by the huffaz (Quran researchers and philosophers) in the Middle East.
Ingredients;
• Chia seeds
• Almond milk
• Gelatin
• Rolled oats
• Your favourite fresh fruits
• Whiskey glass
Instructions;
• Bloom the gelatin in lukewarm water for about 5
minutes
• Mix together the chia seeds, rolled oats, and almond
milk in the glass, then add in the gelatin. Mix well.
• Chill overnight
• Dress it up with your favourite fresh fruits and enjoy!