Diet is an important part of cancer management. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during and after treatment can help the patient feel better and stay stronger throughout the treatment. To ensure proper nutrition, a person has to eat and drink enough of foods that contain key nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fat and water.

Anorexia or the loss of appetite to eat is a common symptom in people with cancer. It is the most common cause of malnutrition in cancer patients. Cachexia is a wasting syndrome that causes weakness and a loss of weight, fat and muscle. Anorexia and cachexia often occur together. Eating fewer calories, using more calories, or a combination of both, can cause weight loss.

This handout provides some tips on how to optimise your nutrients intake to gain weight.

In order to maximise weight gain, the most important factor is to increase your total energy intake by boosting carbohydrate and protein consumption. Carbohydrates provide the energy for body and mind while protein provides the building blocks for tissue growth and repair.

Weight gain is the result of the balance between energy intake (food eaten) and energy used (active diseases, recovery processes and physical activity) on a daily basis for a period of time. Therefore, if you need to gain weight, you should aim to consume more energy from your foods everyday.

High Protein Foods Include:

• Meat, fish and chicken
• Eggs
• Dairy products e.g. milk, cheese, yogurt
• Beans, legumes, nuts and seed
• Meat alternatives e.g. tofu, vegetarian choices
• Protein supplements e.g. Propass, Beneprotein

High Energy Foods Include:

• Full cream dairy products
• Margarine, butter, salad dressings, oil
• Soft drinks, cordial, chocolates, sweets
• Carbohydrate supplements e.g. Polycose
• Nutritional supplements e.g. Boost, Resource Plus, Ensure Plus

Eating to Increase Your Weight

• Eat regularly and snack often. It is easier for your body to handle when you have 6 smaller meals rather than 3 big meals a day, which may be too filling
• Drink fluids เท between meals, but not with them. This helps leave more room for food
• Drink fluids that provide energy (e.g. soy milk, milk, fruit juice, malted drink)
• Keep your favourite foods in the cupboard or fridge
• Keep ready to eat meals and snacks handy for times when you don't feel like preparing food (e.g. canned soups, frozen meals, noodles, biscuits)
• Carry nutritious, compact and convenient tetrapak drinks with you (e.g. milk drink, soy milk, liquid meal supplement, fruit juice)
• Plan your day's intake so that food is always readily available when you need it
• Keep a record of your weight to check if these changes are working

Each Day Aim to Eat the Following: