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Cancer and Unintentional Weight Loss
Q: My boss was diagnosed with esophageal cancer a year and a half ago and has undergone surgery removing part of the stomach, radiation and chemotherapy. Currently he has problem maintaining his healthy weight.
A: Weight loss after a scheme of cancer treatments is caused by multiple reasons: decreased appetite due to nausea and vomiting, taste change, altered metabolism, early satiety, decreased absorption due to diarrhea etc. Severe weight loss and malnutrition can compromise the immune system and general well-being.
Part of your boss's stomach was removed as a result of surgery, which can cause early satiety. In this case, every bite counts!!!! Include calorie-dense foods or high energy and high protein foods in the diet.
10 ways to include calorie-dense foods in his diet:
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- Eat small servings frequently. Try to eat at least 5-6 small meals daily
- Have high calorie ready-to-serve snacks on hand: cheese sticks, hard boiled eggs, ice cream, yogurt and canned pudding
- Add butter/margarine, mayonnaise and jam to the toast, sandwiches, bagels or muffins
- Add salad dressings or mayonnaise to salads
- Use vegetable oils in cooking
- Add sour cream to baked potatoes and butter/margarine to mashed potatoes
- Have cream-based soup instead of clear broth
- Sprinkle extra cheese on favorite pasta dish and pizza
- Drink homo or 2% milk instead of skim milk
- Prepare home-made shake; or try commercial nutritional liquid supplements such as Ensure Plus and Boost Plus
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In some cases, your cancer may insert a G-tube to directly feed into your body to prevent dramatic weight loss. Nutritional monitoring and intervention require professional advice from Registered Dietitians so speak to your dietitians in your area.
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