Cancer patients are often bombarded with dietary advice promising miracles, from sugar elimination to raw-food diets. In an exclusive discussion, Ms. Veena V, Chief Clinical Dietician and Head of Clinical Nutrition at Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, provides evidence-based guidance, separating myths from medically sound practices.
Addressing common misconceptions, she explains that no single food can either cure or feed cancer. Instead, maintaining adequate nutrition is critical to help patients tolerate chemotherapy and radiation, preserve muscle mass, and improve overall quality of life. Unintended weight loss is a warning sign, not a normal part of treatment, and malnutrition can reduce recovery and survival outcomes.
Ms. Veena V also debunks the sugar myth, clarifying that avoiding sugar does not halt cancer growth, while extreme calorie restriction can weaken patients. Protein and calories, she emphasizes, are essential allies during treatment. For patients unable to meet nutritional needs through food alone, oral nutritional supplements are medically necessary and not a sign of failure.
She also stresses lifestyle choices that support overall health, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and limited alcohol intake. Her key advice: cancer patients should consult their oncology team for personalized diet plans rather than relying on social media trends or viral food fads.
This evidence-based approach empowers patients to focus on nutrition that truly supports treatment and long-term well-being, rather than fear-driven, unproven diets.
