Whether you receive treatment for mesothelioma or have completed therapy, good nutrition is essential for your health and recovery. It may even improve your prognosis and quality of life.
Mesothelioma and its treatments are incredibly stressful on the body, which means you need more protein than the average person to cope with the high demand.
additional protein is often required after surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy to heal tissue and fight against infection.
eating the right amount of calories and protein keeps our healthy cells, and it is especially important for people with cancer. Not having enough protein in your diet leads to blood cell counts and related problems.
With a low red blood cell count, get tired easily and feel weak. A low white blood cells weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to recover from treatment and minor illnesses.
The Division of Health and Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine suggests adults get a daily minimum of 8 grams of protein per 20 pounds of body weight. If you are undergoing cancer treatment, you will need more. To know exactly how much protein you should eat, ask your doctor or nutritionist.
Protein Power
The protein is essential for the repair, protection and building cells. It contributes to the shape of the body, not only blood cells but also the muscles, tissues, enzymes and hormones.
Each protein consists of a series of basic building blocks called amino acids. When we digest protein, the body breaks them down into individual amino acids. They serve as raw materials in our bodies can use to build other proteins important for our bones, skin, cartilage and blood.
By eating a variety of foods rich in protein, including meat, dairy products, beans and nuts, we can get all the essential amino acids our bodies need. We need to create proteins needed for a variety of important functions, including:
- tissues and Building muscles
- hair and growing nails
- Porter oxygen in the blood to all parts of your body
- building antibodies that help defend the body against viruses and bacteria
- cells carrying messages to and from your brain via the nerve
- Digesting food
in addition, some cancer treatments are more effective when patients adhere to a balanced diet with the right amount of calories and protein.
If you do not eat enough protein, the body breaks down muscle tissue to provide the energy you need. This is not ideal of course, as you want to preserve your muscle strength as much as possible during and after the treatment of mesothelioma.
How to add more protein to your diet
Protein comes from a variety of animal- and plant-based foods. According to the American Cancer Society, good sources of protein include lean red meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, beans and low-fat milk products
Animal proteins :.
- Red meat (beef, pork, lamb, veal)
- The white meat (chicken, turkey)
- seafood (fish, crustaceans)
- dairy (eggs, yogurt, low -Fat milk, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, feta cheese)
vegetable proteins:
- Beans (black pinto, navy, garbanzo)
- nuts (almonds, peanuts, walnuts)
- soy (tofu, soy milk, tempeh, edamame)
- seeds (pumpkin, sunflower , hemp, chia)
- grains (quinoa, amaranth, oats)
once your doctor or nutritionist explains the amount of protein you need to eat meals and protein snacks to meet your daily needs.
Try these simple ways to add more protein to your diet :.
- Add grated cheese toast, soups, vegetables or crackers
- Add Greek yogurt to smoothies for a boost of protein.
- Eat cottage cheese with a bowl of fresh fruit for a refreshing snack.
- Try slices of turkey or chicken rolled with or without cheese.
- Add peanut butter crackers, breads, apple slices and shakes.
- Mix one cup of skimmed milk powder with a liter of milk and keep in the refrigerator to drink when needed.
- Keep small cans of tuna, chicken, beans and lentils on hand for quick and easy meals.
If you're lactose intolerant, you can substitute low lactose milk and cheese for dairy products. Non-dairy products such as soy milk and rice milk are also good alternatives. If you are slightly lactose intolerant, you may be able to tolerate yogurt and more fat dairy products such as cheese.
Chicken and White Bean Soup Recipe
For a delicious protein boost, try this chicken and white beans soup recipe from the American Cancer Society
Servings: 6.
total preparation time: 1 hour or less
nutrients per serving: 235 calories, 5 grams fat, 28 grams protein
Ingredients:
- chicken breast section 1 rotisserie or 3 white meat cups chopped chicken
- 1 tablespoon of canola oil
- 3 sliced carrots
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups water
- 6 cups chicken broth reduced sodium
- 1 (15 oz) can Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
- salt and pepper as needed
directions
- Remove the chicken wings and reserve. Remove the breast skin and discard. Shred the meat of the breast and the sternum separated.
- Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the carrots, celery, onion, chicken wings and sternum for 8 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Add broth and water to chicken and bring to a boil, stirring to mix well. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Add beans and chicken meat and cook for 5 minutes. If too thick, add a little broth or water. Discard bones and wings before serving. Season with salt and pepper.
