My husband is undergoing chemotherapy. He is weakened, he has no appetite. I would like to strengthen his body somehow. Are dietary supplements a good idea? Are there any vitamins that will help him?
Hello, in case of weakness, it is worth taking care of providing the right amount of energy, protein, carbohydrates and fat. Adequate nutritional status will be crucial here. You do not write anything about the type of cancer, so it is difficult for me to relate specifically to your husband's case. However, assuming that the gastrointestinal tract works quite efficiently, it is worth trying to smuggle more calories into the menu, in a smaller volume of the meal itself. All kinds of thick soups (with small groats, boiled meat), additives such as butter, coconut milk, eggs, vegetable oils, cereals etc. are ideal here. It is often easier to eat a liquid, semi-liquid than a solid dish. Very helpful in the case of lack of appetite is to give tiny portions very often - even every hour. However, it is important not to force the patient to eat - the husband certainly knows that eating is very important. In addition, I would encourage you to enrich your diet with nutridrink preparations. It is worth discussing with your doctor what specific preparation would be appropriate for your husband to really help him. These preparations can be mixed and combined with, for example, millet, oatmeal etc. Regards
Remember that our expert's answer is informative and will not replace a visit to the doctor.
Ewa Ceborska-ScheiterbauerDietitian. A graduate of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences at the Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumption Sciences, specializing in dietetics. Nutrition specialist in civilization diseases. Answers questions about diet and nutrition during cancer treatment.
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