Diet and Nutrition Tips for Lymphoma

When a patient is diagnosed with lymphoma, they are often subject to different types of treatments and medications designed to suppress their symptoms. What most patients don't realize is that a simple change in diet can make a huge difference in how they feel and even how well their treatment works. In this article, we are going to go over the recommended dietary changes for lymphoma patients.

The first thing to think about is what exactly a healthy diet looks like. A healthy diet is made up of different food groups which can help your body grow, repair itself, and function properly.

There are four different things you want to focus on when building your ideal diet.

Eat your vegetables

When adding vegetables into your diet, you want to include both dark leafy greens and brightly colored vegetables. Dark leafy green vegetables include spinach, collard greens, and kale. These vegetables typically contain vitamin K, which helps the body break down and utilize proteins correctly. Brightly colored vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, and cabbage contain a plentiful helping of all kinds of vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Eating at least 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day is a great way to boost your immune system while mitigating the symptoms commonly associated with lymphoma. As a side note, do not try and skip your helpings of fruits and vegetables for things like dietary or nutritional supplements. These supplements can react poorly with certain medications and could cause complications during your treatment and recovery process.

Not all carbs are bad

Carbohydrates (starchy foods like bread and pasta) can often be seen as a detriment to healthy eating. A lot of fad diets advertise that they are "low carb" or even "no carb" diets. In reality, these diets are often very detrimental to your health. Not all carbs are bad. Vegetables, for example, are good carbs. So are seeds, nuts, and whole grains. It isn’t safe to avoid all carbs completely—work to understand what is best for you. Speak with your doctor or meet with a nutritionist if you have any questions about what you should or shouldn’t be eating.

Proteins are especially important for lymphoma patients, because the body uses proteins to grow and repair itself. Proteins help your body fight off cancer cells and mitigate the damage lymphoma does to your body. There are a wide variety of different foods that contain protein, and each has their own uses.

We hope that this slideshow gives you some insight on the importance of diet and lifestyle for lymphoma patients. A healthy diet not only helps your recovery, but it also helps your body grow stronger and healthier over time. For more information on lymphoma symptoms, treatments, and tips, be sure to visit the rest of our website.

Read on to learn more about the best dietary choices for people living with lymphoma.