75 HEALTHY COPING AND STAYING WELL /// CHAPTER 48 Nutrition and Food Safety Why is nutrition important? Nutrition is important for everyone, but it is essential for those who have been diagnosed with cancer. Eating a balanced diet during and after cancer treatment is necessary for many reasons including: » Maintaining a healthy weight » Not losing muscle mass » Tolerating treatments well and feeling strong during them » Preserving quality of life - helping you feel good enough to do the things you want to do » Better treatment outcomes - studies have actually found worse survival in those who are overweight OR underweight! For more information on local resources please contact your nurse navigator or check out the local resources section at the end of the notebookhttps://fwaya.org/