Why is it important to eat well?
Eating well is always important, but especially important if you have leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood disorder.  These diseases and their treatments place extra demands on you both physically and mentally and it is important that the food you eat provides you with the energy and nutrients necessary to help meet these demands.

There are many benefits to eating well if you have a cancer or related blood disorder.  Eating well may help you to:

• Cope better with the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment
• Recover more quickly following treatment
• Have more energy and feel less tired
• Maintain your body weight
• Fight infection by boosting your immune system
• Repair damaged tissues, affected by treatment
• Improve your sense of wellbeing
• Improve your quality of life

Eating the right foods before, during and after treatment can help you feel better and stay stronger.

Will treatment affect my eating habits?
Treatment for cancer makes some people feel nauseous and vomit. This can be a very unpleasant side-effect but thankfully there are drugs called anti-emetics that work really well in controlling feelings of sickness or being sick. If you are prescribed these drugs you should take them as often as your doctor tells you too, even if you don’t feel sick, because this stops the nausea from returning. If the nausea is new or gets worse while taking the anti-sickness drugs you should let your doctor know straight away.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can cause you to lose your appetite or change the things you like to eat. This can lead to poor nutrition which in turn can lead to fatigue and susceptibility to infection.  There are ways to combat poor nutrition if you have lost your appetite such as:

• Using high-energy drinks to gain a large number of calories without eating a bulky meal
• Having someone else prepare your food
• Eating small snacks regularly

It is still important to try to eat a healthy diet so that your body gets the right balance of food to help it stay strong and cope with your treatment. Your hospital dietician will be able to give you more ideas about how to make eating more appealing.  Dieticians can also be found via community health centres.

Some of the treatments for blood cancers can make food taste different, for example some people describe a metallic taste after radiotherapy treatment. This can mean that what used to be your favourite food now tastes completely different.

Will my weight change during treatment?
Many people lose weight during treatment.  This is particularly true for people undergoing their first intensive hospital period after the diagnosis of acute leukaemia or those undergoing a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.  If you are having a transplant you may wish to prepare your body beforehand by choosing to eat more nutritious food and by having some regular exercise.

Some people find they gain weight during their treatment.  You may be prescribed a steroid (eg, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone) as part of your treatment, causing you to experience side effects that usually disappear several months after they are stopped. These side effects may include an increased appetite, excessive weight gain (particularly in the face and abdomen), and fluid retention.

Hints for managing weight during treatment

• The weight gain caused by steroids is temporary. Your weight should return to normal when the steroids stop.
• Eat small nutritious meals often during the day and include protein with your meals.
• Try and do aerobic exercise like walking at least three times a week
• Exercise with a friend
• Go easy with weight training on the same muscle group on consecutive days (no more than 2-3 times/week)
• Drink plenty of water
• Get plenty of rest and sleep

Some basic food facts
Food provides us with the energy (calories or kilojoules) and nutrients our bodies need for everyday activities, including the growth and repair of body tissues and the prevention of infection.  By choosing to eat healthy and nutritious food we are more likely to get the right amounts of energy and nutrients needed to help our bodies grow and function properly.  Foods provide essential carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.

Carbohydrates are an important source of energy.  Carbohydrates can be stored as sugars (glycogen) in the liver, for short term energy and as excess fat for long-term energy.  Good sources of carbohydrates include: starchy vegetables (for example potato, sweet potato), grains, cereals, breads, pastas, legumes (lentils, chick peas, and kidney beans), rice and fruit.

Proteins are needed for every body function, including building and repairing body tissues like skin, muscles, bones and vital organs.  They are also important for hormone production and they are a valuable source of energy, vitamins and minerals.  Good sources of proteins include: eggs (the best source of absorbable protein), red meat, chicken, fish, nuts, dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt as well as soy products like tofu, dried beans, lentils and seeds.

Fats are another important source of energy for the body.  They are also necessary for healthy functioning of the body’s immune system and nervous system, and for keeping us warm.  Our bodies also need fats to help absorb vitamins and minerals and to make some hormones.

A diet rich in unsaturated fats (mainly plant and fish based) is healthier than a diet high in saturated fats.  Unsaturated sources include olive oil, avocadoes, nuts, sunflower and safflower oil, and omega 3 fats from fish such as sardines, tuna and salmon.  Saturated fats come from full fat dairy foods, butter, eggs, meat and chicken.

For more information on diet and nutrition, please download the Leukaemia Foundation's Eating Well booklet.