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How to Navigate Holiday Eating When You Have Cancer

Family gatherings, office parties and lots and lots of food. The holidays are in full swing and, once again, food and drink seem to be the focus of every event. If you’re coping with cancer during the winter holidays, navigating unpredictable meal times, rich main courses and sugary desserts can be especially challenging.

The experts at Miami Cancer Institute [1] have some strategies that can help you through these celebrations — even if your stomach is sensitive, your taste buds are betraying you or you simply aren’t hungry.

“First, remember that it’s the holidays, and while your goal is to provide your body with the nutrients that will best help you heal, realize that you may get a little off-track with your eating plan,” said registered dietitian Carla Araya, a clinical nutrition specialist with Miami Cancer Institute. “You are physically and emotionally going through a lot. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

That said, she recommends that you:

Contrary to what you might think, seeking your favorite food when you aren’t feeling well may not be the best decision. “Your favorite food may not make you feel better. And there’s a chance that in the future you’ll have a bad association with that food,” Ms. Araya said.

If you’re a cancer survivor, the focus during the holidays shifts from managing symptoms to eating to fight and prevent cancer. That means staying away from processed foods and eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables with an emphasis on a plant-based diet.

“Because many cancers are linked to obesity, you want to maintain a healthy weight,” Ms. Araya said. “Add plenty of anti-inflammatory foods, such as ginger and turmeric.”

Whether you’re going through cancer treatment or you’re years out from your diagnosis, drink plenty of water and exercise regularly. How much exercise depends upon your energy level and the recommendation of your doctor.


For a list of nutrition and other classes offered by Miami Cancer Institute, click here [2].