Nutrition and daily life

Nutrition map: a summary of section 5

This section brings together all the topics on nutrition and food safety: what to read, where to look and which rules matter most.

Last updated: ~2 min read
Objects in a calm arc on a table.
Figure 1.The nutrition map — Nutrition map: a summary of section 5

01Short answer

The main pillars: 1) Food safety: “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”, “Food safety: four simple rules” and “Home hygiene: a safe, comfortable home”, “The neutropenic diet: what it means today” and “Grapefruit and medicines: why it matters so much”. 2) Enough energy and protein: “Loss of appetite: getting strength when you can eat little” and “Weight loss: when to worry and what to do”, “Breakfast, lunch and dinner: a sample day”, “Small, frequent meals: little, but enough” and “High-calorie snacks: lots of energy in a small volume”. 3) Eating with side effects: “Weight gain: steroids, appetite and swelling” and “Stomach and bowel problems: bloating, pain and heartburn”, “Eating with mouth sores: a practical menu” and “Appetite on steroids: managing the hunger”. 4) Supplements, myths and medicines: “Vitamin supplements: when they help and when they harm” and “Food and medicines: with what, and when”, “Grapefruit and medicines: why it matters so much”. 5) Alongside other conditions: “Leukemia and diabetes: managing blood sugar” and “Leukemia and high blood pressure: cutting salt”. 6) Daily life: “Sleep and fatigue: pacing your energy” and “A day at a glance: a simple daily rhythm”. The most important rules: cook food fully, choose pasteurised, follow the 2-hour rule, wash your hands, tell your team about every supplement, and call at once if you have a fever.

02Simple explanation

Safe food.

Enough energy and protein.

Adapted to side effects.

Together with your team.

03Scientific explanation

ESPEN and WHO: good nutrition and food safety support treatment tolerance and quality of life.

ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.

NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.

04What happens in the body?

Dietitian

See the hospital dietitian for a personal plan.

A plate, water, a board, a notepad.
Figure 2.Four pillars — Nutrition map: a summary of section 5

Family

Share this map with your family; they cook too.

The way home
Figure 3.The way home — Nutrition map: a summary of section 5

Dietitian

If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.

Food safety

Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

05Nutrition: four steps

Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.

Assess — Weight and appetite.1AssessWeight and appetite.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Cook — Hot throughout.3CookHot throughout.
Eat regularly — Small portions.4Eat regularlySmall portions.
StrengthEnergy.
ProteinFor muscle.
SafetyFood rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
DietitianSee the hospital dietitian for a personal plan.
FamilyShare this map with your family; they cook too.
DietitianIf you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safetyFood-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.

07Key terms

Nutritional risk
The likelihood of weight and muscle loss.
Food safety
Preventing infection through food.
Dietitian
A nutrition specialist.
Protein
A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Safe.
  • Enough.
  • Together.
  • A diet is not a treatment.
  • Talk to a dietitian.

09Frequently asked questions

Where should I start?

With “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “The neutropenic diet: what it means today”, the neutropenic rules.

What if the rules change?

Your team's latest advice always comes first.

Can a special diet cure leukemia?

No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Where should I start?

  2. What if the rules change?

  3. Can a special diet cure leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  2. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  3. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
  4. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  5. World Health Organization (WHO). Food safety — fact sheet
  6. World Health Organization (WHO). WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care
  7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Hand Hygiene and Preventing Infection
  8. NHS. Food poisoning
  9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Safe Food Handling
  10. Food Standards Agency (UK). Cooking your food
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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