Vitality - Fall 2012 - (Page 7)

THE TOOL: DIET The effect: Proper nutrition helps maintain a healthy weight and muscle mass, provide the strength you need to fight cancer, and keep your energy levels up. But the side effects of treatment can make eating difficult, says Carol Morris, a registered dietitian who specializes in oncology nutrition with the Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center at CMH. From suggesting soft foods and smoothies for patients who have mouth sores to offering soothing recipes such as carrot ginger muffins for nausea relief, Morris works to help patients maximize their nutrition while still eating based on their symptoms. “There is no ‘cancer diet,’ ” Morris says. “We focus on making sure they get a balanced diet, but recommendations are individualized depending on a patient’s treatment and symptoms.” When to call a pro: The best time to talk to your doctor about nutrition is at the beginning of treatment, Morris says. “Most cancer teams have a dietitian, but not everyone is referred, so you may have to ask your physician for a nutrition consult. And if you’ve experienced weight loss during or before treatment, you definitely want to seek help,” she says. 1 million Between 1990 and 2008, overall cancer death rates decreased by about 23 percent for men and 15 percent for women. This translates to more than 1 million deaths prevented in the U.S. in the past 20 years. FA L L 2 0 1 2 | 7

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vitality - Fall 2012

Vitality - Fall 2012
Contents
CMH News
Health Beat
The Right Tools
Who Has the Time?
Heart Smart
Q+A
Get Back to Life—Fast
Calendar of Events

Vitality - Fall 2012