SUMMER 20 15 | C A NCER FIGH T ER S THRI V E 37
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have considerable infuence over how
and what survivors eat, also potentially
leading to weight gain. Survivors may
eat for comfort, says Sarah Kiser, MS,
RD, Clinical Oncology Dietitian at
CTCA
®
in Goodyear, Arizona. Addi-
tionally, emotional reserves may be
depleted, leading to a less considered,
more impulsive approach to meals
and snacks. "Patients might choose
whatever food appeals most, and that
may not include the most nourish-
ing foods," Kiser says of the tendency
toward comfort foods.
On the other hand, as a way to cele-
brate, patients might overeat or indulge
too much when they start to feel good
again. And because chemotherapy can
affect taste buds, you might be chal-
lenged to restrain yourself from your
favorite favors when you can taste
them again. If nausea and vomiting (a
common side effect of chemotherapy)
have curbed your pleasure in food,
you may also fnd yourself going over-
board as this side effect goes away.
"It's okay to enjoy comfort food," says
Kiser, but in moderation. "It's still
important to make healthy choices
the majority of the time."
THE IMPORTANCE OF A
HEALTHY WEIGHT
From quality of life to long-term
health and prevention of recurrence,
there are countless reasons for main-
NUTRITION RESOURCES
Rachel Winston, MS, RD, Clinical Oncol-
ogy Dietitian, recommends the following
resources related to nutrition.
• American Institute for Cancer
Research
AICR.org
Provides recipes and nutrition
research translated into plain
language
• CTCA Nutritional Support
CancerCenter.com/community/
nutritional-support
Ofers background in nutrition basics,
tips for healthy eating, information
about managing side efects with
nutrition, recipes and more
• Local Farmers' Markets
localharvest.org/farmers-markets
Provides an online database of
farmers' markets across the country,
so you can fnd fresh,whole foods
and learn what is in season