9 Diet Tips to Help Manage Leukemia
Leukemia can be managed better by making healthy dietary choices. One can ensure physical and mental health by eating certain foods and following some dietary tips to manage the condition. Here are some diet tips for leukemia patients that can help them fight the disease in the right way:
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables
One should aim to include loads of fruits and vegetables in their daily diet, as they are effective in fighting leukemia. If an individual finds it difficult to have fruits and vegetables on their own, they can add them to their favorite foods like add fruits to frozen yogurt and make vegetable smoothies. - Drink water
Drinking water is one of the diet tips for leukemia patients, as the treatment for the condition causes dehydration. One should drink water regularly, and sipping on some water every half an hour can help them stay hydrated throughout the day. One can ask their doctor how much water they should drink daily. - Opt for whole-grain foods
Diet is an important part of recovery and healing for people with leukemia, and whole grains are a healthy choice. Whether opting for rice or bread, one should always choose the whole-grain variety. One can also opt for ancient grains, as they are good for health. - Include protein in the diet
Including protein-rich food is one of the important diet tips for leukemia patients. Treatment for leukemia affects appetite, so protein-rich foods are necessary to help one stay strong. If one is a vegetarian or doesn’t eat meat due to any other reason, they can opt for soy products, oat cereals, and nuts. People who eat meat can opt for fish and chicken. - Prefer steaming
It is important to cook food the right way when one is diagnosed with leukemia. They should steam their vegetables so that the nutrients are trapped in them, and a variety of foods should be included in a meal. For example, a salad can include steamed zucchini and sweet peas. - Probiotics can help
One should include probiotics in their diet to improve digestion. Kefir, tempeh, and cereals that contain probiotics are all beneficial. One can also get probiotic bars or opt for yogurt that contains active cultures. - Opt for healthy fats
Harmful foods should be avoided, and one should choose healthy fats instead. This means including foods like seeds, olive oil, nuts, and avocados in the diet, as they can help the body absorb the fats one needs without any side effects. - Eat small meals
Another helpful diet tip for leukemia patients is to eat small meals, as one will likely experience a loss of appetite. Small meals can help provide energy throughout the day, so one can consider eating once every 2 hours if they’re facing trouble having big meals. - Practice food safety
When preparing meals, one should ensure that their hands are clean. Also, different cutting boards should be used for vegetables and raw meat. Other than that, food must be cooked thoroughly before consumption.