Coping With Side Effects of Treatment of Mesothelioma

Treatment for mesothelioma, or any cancer, often carries with it, painful and uncomfortable side effects for patients. The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which make a healthy diet difficult for patients. Below are nutritional suggestions for coping with common cancer symptoms such as anorexia, taste changes, dry mouth and mouth sores and infections:

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Anorexia (lack of appetite)

Eat small high-protein, high-calorie meals every 1-2 hours throughout the day
Ask for help when preparing meals
Add extra calories & protein to food (butter, skim milk powder, honey, brown sugar)
Drink liquid supplements such as soup, milk, juices, shakes or smoothies when you can't eat solids
Have food ready at-hand for when hunger strikes
Make breakfast your largest meal of the day
Avoid eating food with strong odors
Try different recipes to accommodate changing likes and dislikes

Taste Changes

Rinse mouth out with water before eating
Try eating citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, lemons, grapefruit) unless mouth sores are present
Eat small meals & healthy snacks several times a day when hungry rather than establishing set meal times
Use plastic utensils if foods taste metallic
Try favorite foods
Eat with family and friends
Have others prepare the meal
Try new foods when feeling best
Substitute poultry, fish, eggs, and cheese for red meat
Find non-meat, high-protein recipes in a vegetarian or Chinese cookbook
Use sugar-free lemon drops, gum or mints if there is a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth
Add spices and sauces to food
Eat meat with something sweet, such as cranberry sauce, jelly, or applesauce

Dry Mouth

Drink plenty of fluids (about ½ ounce per pound of body weight per day)
Eat moist foods with extra sauces, gravies, butter or margarine
Suck on hard candy or chew gum
Eat frozen desserts (such as frozen grapes and ice pops) or ice chips
Clean teeth (including dentures) and rinse mouth at least four times per day (after each meal and before bedtime)
Keep water handy at all times to moisten the mouth
Choose foods and drinks that are very sweet or tart, to stimulate saliva
Avoid mouth rinses containing alcohol
Drink fruit nectar instead of juice
Use a straw to drink liquids

Mouth Sores and Infections

Eat soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow such as bananas, applesauce, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, puddings, and scrambled eggs
Use a blender to process vegetables and meats until smooth
Avoid rough, course or dry foods such as raw vegetables, granola, and toast
Avoid spicy, salty or acidic foods
Avoid citrus fruits and juices
Cook foods until soft and tender
Cut foods into small pieces
Use a straw to drink liquids
Eat foods cold or at room temperature
Clean teeth (including dentures) and rinse mouth at least four times per day (after each meal and before bedtime)
Add gravy, broth, or sauces to food
Drink high-calorie, high-protein drinks in addition to meals
Numb the mouth with ice chips or flavored ice pops