Eating well, managing stress and exercising are ways to promote your
overall health and cope with any form of cancer.
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Eating well
Good
nutrition is especially important for people undergoing cancer
treatment. But eating well can be difficult if your treatment includes
chemotherapy or radiation treatment. You may feel nauseated or lose your
appetite, and foods may seem tasteless. You may find that the last thing
you want to do is plan meals.
Even so, eating well during cancer treatment can help you maintain your
stamina and your ability to cope with the side effects of treatments.
Good nutrition may also help you prevent infections and remain more
active.
Remember these strategies for eating well when you don't feel well:
-
Eat
protein-rich foods.
Foods high in protein can help build and repair body tissues.
Choices include eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, peanut butter, poultry
and fish. Kidney beans, chickpeas and black-eyed peas also are good
sources of protein, especially when combined with rice, corn or
bread.
-
When you do
feel well, make the most of it.
Eat as many healthy foods as you can. Prepare meals that you can
easily freeze and reheat. Also look for low-fat frozen dinners and
other prepared foods.
-
Pack calories
into the foods you eat.
For example, spread butter, jam or honey on bread. Sprinkle foods
with chopped nuts.
-
Eat smaller
amounts of food more frequently.
If you can't face the thought of a large meal, try eating small
amounts of food more often. Keep fruits and vegetables handy for
snacking.
-
Managing stress
Methods for reducing physical tension can help you manage stress. One
simple and powerful technique is to simply close your eyes and notice
your breathing. Pay attention to each inhalation and exhalation. Your
breathing will become slower and deeper, promoting relaxation. Another
technique is to lie down, close your eyes and mentally scan your entire
body for any points of tension.
-
Exercising
In
addition, activities such as running and swimming that require
repetitive movements can produce a mental state similar to meditation.
So can yoga and other stretching exercises.
Your doctor may have more specific suggestions about how to best care
for yourself before, during and after treatment for endometrial cancer.
Uterine
cancer
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