After active cancer treatment ends, your body needs extra support to recover and rebuild. The food you eat plays a crucial role in your overall health, energy levels, inflammation and ability to stay strong, especially with a lower immune system. Let’s explore the best foods to include in your diet to support healing, fight inflammation, and boost your immune system, as well as what foods to avoid or limit during this recovery phase.
When cancer treatment ends, your body is still in a state of repair. Chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery may leave you feeling fatigued, with a weakened immune system or digestive issues as your body just went through a lot. To restore your strength, a nutrient-rich, balanced diet is key. Focus on:
Hydration is also essential, so aim to drink plenty of water, herbal teas, and broth-based soups to keep your body functioning optimally! I always recommend drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces of water per day.
Inflammation is a natural response during recovery, but chronic inflammation can slow healing and increase your risk of other health issues. We typically have extra inflammation in our bodies after treatment ends due to chemo, radiation and/or surgeries. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods can help your body heal more effectively and reduce side effects, such as, brain fog, joint pain, muscle pain and fatigue. These foods include:
Post-cancer, your immune system needs all the help it can get to protect against infections and aid in recovery. Here are some foods to focus on for immune support:
While there are many foods that can help with recovery, there are others that are best to avoid or limit after cancer treatment to give your body the best chance to heal:
The best place to start is by gradually introducing more whole, nutrient-dense foods into your daily meals. Focus on variety: incorporate different colors of fruits and vegetables, try different sources of protein, and swap out processed snacks for healthier alternatives like nuts, seeds and fruit.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, start with small, manageable changes, such as adding a serving of berries to your breakfast or switching to whole grains instead of bread at meal times.
A personalized approach can ensure that you’re getting all the nutrients you need to heal and thrive. If you need more help in this area, feel free to contact us for more information on how we can support you!
Madison Pollack is a cancer survivor and owner of Maddy Pollack Health, providing guidance and mentorship on nutrition, movement and overall wellness after cancer. She is a Do Cancer Program Practitioner.