It is important to divide food into several meals a day as this helps to keep the body active, promotes digestion, controls blood glucose levels, and provides more ways to include the energy and nutrients that the body needs.
Each meal must include foods rich in carbohydrates to meet the necessary supply of energy the body needs. Our main sources of energy come from cereals and cereal-based foods (rice, wheat, corn, quinoa, and derivatives), tubers (potato, sweet potato, cassava…) and legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans, soybeans…). These foods should be present in most of our meals as they provide the most important source of energy for the body. Always choose wholegrain versions (unless indicated otherwise) to increase fibre intake and reduce the risk of constipation.

Protein is necessary to repair body tissue as well as to maintain a healthy immune system. Cancer patients often need a higher protein intake than usual to help repair tissues and fight possible infections.

• Meat, fish, seafood, eggs, and soya are the foods with the best quality protein. Add fish (white or oily), seafood, meat (mainly lean), eggs, soya, or any of its derivatives (tofu, textured soya) to both lunch and dinner. If it is not possible to include these foods in both meals of the day, try to include them in at least one of them, and then throughout the day including other foods that are also a good source of protein.

• Milk, yoghurt, and cheese provide us with minerals, vitamins and proteins that are essential for our body, so include them twice a day. You can consult a specialist about which of the products better suits your needs (whole, semi-skimmed or skimmed milk).

Some protein-rich foods:

For people who follow an exclusively plant-based diet, with little or no animal source food (vegan, vegetarian, raw vegan, etc.), it is very important to consult a registered dietitian to study how to adequately obtain the necessary proteins, vitamins, and minerals that the body needs to cope with oncology procedures.

It is essential to make sure that main meals, such as lunch and dinner, are complete, full meals, and that they include a portion of vegetables, a portion of energy-sourced foods, and a portion of protein-sourced foods. Following the plate method is a practical way to achieve this. This general approach ensures intake of the essential nutrients required in a day, nevertheless, the amount and proportion of each quantity may vary depending on the recommendations of the medical specialist or the clinical situation.

The plate method also allows the preparation of a large variety of dishes: from combined dishes to complete dishes, meals with a starter and a main course, a first and second course, and even sandwiches or small servings.

Drink one and a half to two litres of water every day (about six to eight glasses). The best option is always water, but there are other liquids such as sparkling water, teas and herbal teas or vegetable broths that are also good for hydration. Limit the consumption of soft drinks, commercial juices, and other sugary drinks because of their high sugar content. It is important to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.

You should:

• Wash hands with soap and water and keep the kitchen and cooking spaces clean (fridge, cooking utensils, cooking cloths, etc.).
• Clean all food thoroughly before cooking, especially food that will be eaten raw, such as fruit with the skin and some vegetables.
• Separate raw food from cooked food and in the fridge create separate spaces for them, keeping them in airtight containers.
• Cook food well and reheat sufficiently when needed.
• Freeze cooked food that is not going to be eaten as soon as possible.
• Always defrost food in the refrigerator or microwave, never at room temperature.

You should:

• Avoid fried foods and strong stews.
• Prioritise boiling, steaming, baking, grilling, en Papillote or microwaving cooking methods.
• Use extra virgin olive oil both for cooking and seasoning food.
• Use aromatic herbs and spices (parsley, cinnamon, turmeric, curry, ginger, coriander, rosemary, basil, etc.) to give different flavours to foods and, at the same time, include beneficial compounds.

Do not diet or eat different foods from the rest of the group, family, or friends, as this will help to normalise and relax mealtimes, reducing stress and the feeling of being sick. Limiting does not mean avoiding; there is no need to feel guilty if you do not always follow these recommendations exactly, sometimes it is important to eat from a more emotional point of view.

Avoid spending too much time in bed or on the sofa. Be active for as long as possible and try to adapt the intensity and duration of physical exercise to your condition at each stage of treatment. Consult your doctor as to which activities are most recommended in your case. If tiredness or discomfort does not permit any type of activity, you should at least try to walk for 20 to 30 minutes a day.