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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Cancer Causes and Control: Cancer Incidence in a Cohort With High Fish Consumption
- Cancer Causes and Control: Cancer Incidence in a Cohort With High Fish Consumption
- International Journal of Cancer: Intake of Dietary Fiber, Especially From Cereal Foods, Especially From Cereal Grains, is Associated With Lower Incidence of Colon Cancer in the HELGA Cohort
- International Journal of Cancer: Intake of Dietary Fiber, Especially From Cereal Foods, Especially From Cereal Grains, is Associated With Lower Incidence of Colon Cancer in the HELGA Cohort
- MedlinePlus: When You Have Diarrhea
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Diet Plan for Someone with Colon Cancer
When going through treatment for your colon cancer, you may feel as though everything is out of your control. But the one thing that you can take charge of is what you eat. Making the right food choices may help prevent malnutrition, improve tolerance to treatment and promote well-being.
Ideal Diet
The ideal diet for colon cancer is low in saturated fat and salt and filled with a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. To reduce saturated fat intake, eat less red meat and replace it with fish, which you should eat one to three times a week. Eating foods rich in omega-3s, such as salmon or tuna, may help inhibit the progression of your cancer, according to a 2014 article published in "Cancer Causes & Control." Reduce salt intake by not adding it to your dishes and by eating more fresh food and fewer processed foods such as canned ingredients, frozen meals, fast food and deli meats. Getting foods high in fiber is also important for colon health; choose cereal grains such as:
- oatmeal
- brown rice
- quinoa [3](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21866547 'inline-reference::International Journal of Cancer: Intake of Dietary Fiber
- Especially From Cereal Foods
- Especially From Cereal Grains
- is Associated With Lower Incidence of Colon Cancer in the HELGA Cohort')
Fruits, vegetables and beans also help you get more fiber. The Johns Hopkins Colon Cancer Center suggests you get at least 25 grams of fiber a day.
- The ideal diet for colon cancer is low in saturated fat and salt and filled with a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.
- Getting foods high in fiber is also important for colon health; choose cereal grains such as: * oatmeal
* brown rice
* quinoa 3 Fruits, vegetables and beans also help you get more fiber.
Diet When Dealing With GI Distress
Foods that Taste Good to Chemotherapy Patients
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Colon cancer treatment, including surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, can cause gastrointestinal problems 1. Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea can affect nutritional intake. When dealing with nausea, eat bland foods, such as plain meats, buttered noodles or crackers. It also helps if you eat small, frequent meals and foods at room temperature or colder. If you're experiencing diarrhea, drink clear liquids such as water or broth, and eat foods low in fiber and fat like baked chicken and white rice.
- Colon cancer treatment, including surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, can cause gastrointestinal problems 1.
- If you're experiencing diarrhea, drink clear liquids such as water or broth, and eat foods low in fiber and fat like baked chicken and white rice.
What to Do When Nothing Tastes Good
Chemotherapy can make eating difficult by altering the way food tastes. Eating foods that are tart or sour, such as those cooked with lemon or vinegar, may be helpful. Adding greater amounts of herbs and spices may also improve taste and intake. If you're experiencing a metallic taste, the Johns Hopkins Colon Cancer Center suggests using plastic utensils and eating foods at room temperature.
- Chemotherapy can make eating difficult by altering the way food tastes.
- Eating foods that are tart or sour, such as those cooked with lemon or vinegar, may be helpful.
Recovery Diet
Diet With Foods That Are Easy to Digest
Learn More
After treatment, eat foods that help maintain good health and prevent cancer recurrence. Your colon cancer recovery diet should be filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean sources of protein and low-fat dairy. The antioxidants and phytochemicals found in these foods protect cells from damage and may help prevent tumor growth.
Related Articles
References
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Nutrition Therapy for Colorectal Cancer
- Cancer Causes and Control: Cancer Incidence in a Cohort With High Fish Consumption
- International Journal of Cancer: Intake of Dietary Fiber, Especially From Cereal Foods, Especially From Cereal Grains, is Associated With Lower Incidence of Colon Cancer in the HELGA Cohort
- University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center: Guidelines for a Low Sodium Diet
- MedlinePlus: When You Have Diarrhea
- Mccullough ML, Zoltick ES, Weinstein SJ, et al. Circulating vitamin D and colorectal cancer risk: an international pooling project of 17 cohorts. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019;111(2):158-169. doi:10.1093/jnci/djy087
- American Cancer Society. Can colorectal cancer be prevented?. Updated May 30, 2018.
- Hamoya T, Fujii G, Miyamoto S, et al. Effects of NSAIDs on the risk factors of colorectal cancer: a mini review. Genes Environ. 2016;38:6. doi:10.1186/s41021-016-0033-0
- American Cancer Society. Colorectal cancer risk factors. Updated February 21, 2018.
- Fight Colorectal Cancer. Symptoms.
- American Cancer Society. Complementary and alternative methods and cancer. Updated March 31, 2015.
- Kyle JA, Sharp L, Little J, Duthie GG, McNeill G. "Dietary flavonoid intake and colorectal cancer: a case-control study." Br J Nutr. 2010 103(3):429-36.
- Sanjoaquin MA, Allen N, Couto E, Roddam AW, Key TJ. "Folate intake and colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analytical approach." Int J Cancer. 2005 20;113(5):825-8.
- Shan BE, Wang MX, Li RQ. "Quercetin inhibit human SW480 colon cancer growth in association with inhibition of cyclin D1 and survivin expression through Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway." Cancer Invest. 2009 27(6):604-12.
- Sun CL, Yuan JM, Koh WP, Yu MC. "Green tea, black tea and colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies." Carcinogenesis. 2006 Jul;27(7):1301-9.
- American Cancer Society. Can Colorectal Cancer Be Prevented? May 18, 2009.
- Gilberto Santana-Rios, Gayle A. Orner, Meirong Xu, Maria Izquierdo-Pulido, and Roderick H. Dashwood. "Inhibition by White Tea of 2-Amino-1-Methyl-6-Phenylimidazo[4,5-b]Pyridine-Induced Colonic Aberrant Crypts in the F344 Rat." Nutrition and Cancer 2001; 41(1-2): 98–103.
Writer Bio
Jill Corleone is a registered dietitian and health coach who has been writing and lecturing on diet and health for more than 15 years. Her work has been featured on the Huffington Post, Diabetes Self-Management and in the book "Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation," edited by John R. Bach, M.D. Corleone holds a Bachelor of Science in nutrition.