Unfortunately, when a patient is undergoing cancer treatment, other pre-existing medical conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes can be impacted and often times, exacerbated. This can be caused by the treatments themselves, the medications given alongside your treatment or the lifestyle changes that result from the treatments, such as less energy to remain active, a poor appetite or an inconsistent eating schedule. These changes can create additional questions regarding dietary changes as well as the need for medication revisions to adequately control a patient’s blood sugar. Due to scope of practice of a dietitian, the tips provided throughout this article will be food and nutrition focused. Please discuss any medication ques:ons with your prescribing provider.
1. Eat on a schedule, even if this just a small snack, a few bites of food or a regular sized meal or “min-meal”, try to stay consistent with your carbohydrate intake. This helps ensure that the body never goes too long without fuel, which often times means we are less likely to over-consume large portions of ultra-processed carbohydrates that we may gravitate to when going too long without eating. The goal is not to avoid carbohydrates at meals, but to opt for complex carbohydrates and eating at regular intervals throughout the day.
2. Aim to include protein, fat and fiber at every meal, primarily through whole, minimally processed foods. By keeping these components at the center of all meals and snacks, not only will you be keeping up on critical nutrient needs required to heal and recover from cancer treatments, but also ensuring that your eating episode has the best chance to deter further blood sugar spikes that can often times be found from the consumption of ultra-processed foods items. Some examples of balanced “mini meals” are as followed:
a. Layer 1 slice of whole wheat bread + ½ cup sliced avocado + 2 TBPS hemp seeds or 1 egg
b. Mix ½ cup cooked old fashion oats + ½ cup unsweetened soy milk + 2 TBPS peanut butter or 1 oz. mixed nuts
c. Layer between two 6-inch corn tortillas: ½ cup refried beans + 1 oz. cheese + ½ sliced avocado
3. As able, keep a journal of your fasting blood sugars, post prandial (after meal) blood sugars and/or pre- bedtime blood sugars, as directed by your provider. Being aware of blood sugar trends, especially on or around treatment days can help you and your provider make the most targeted medication changes, if needed.
4. Under most circumstances, strive to consume at least two to three liters of plain, unsweetened water per day. Not only is water importance for the detoxification of certain cancer therapies such as platinum based chemotherapy agents, it also serves a large role in blood sugar regulation. Of note, if you are already feeling fuller, more quickly at meals, try drinking your water between meals as opposed to with meals.
5. Lastly, do not underestimate the importance of stress management and the positive role that physical activity can have on a person’s blood sugar status. Talk to your provider about support groups, community meditation practices, or group exercise classes – all which can be influential integrative options for the oncology population looking to gain better blood sugar control.
At Cancer Nutrition Care, we hope you found these tips helpful and empowering. While we know nutrition is not the only part of a patient’s care plan, it is certainly a crucial and impactful part that we strive to assist patients with. If you have any questions or would like set up a consultation with one of our Board Certified Specialists in Oncology Nutrition, please visit our website
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