Done!

So now we can claim this is an International Study!

Hi Everyone,

Instead starting new thread, i decided to ask question here only. Please forgive me if I am at wrong place. At a very high level scanning of this particular thread, the question is, should I avoid meat from my diet?
I am consuming 80-100 grams (a little piece of chicken fully steamed with rice and black beans) every single ONCE a day. Is this OK, or this might create a problem? I thought as a one of the source of protein along with other alternatives.

I saw repetitive advises to stay away from dairy and meat products. I am taking one ensure and a milkshake like Christina said besides other meals I enjoy. Trying to hit 2500 C everyday.

Another question is, is taking a small piece (10- gram) of full fat butter and a 1 tablespoon of cheese OK? My perception was, I need fat also in my body besides other elements.

Please share your thoughts on my consumption pattern based on age factor. FYI, I am scientifically trying to intake all possible nutrients my body needs, not just as a preventive measure or curing.

Thanks in advance to all respected members.

Ankur,

Eat everything you possibly can eat. Eat all the fatty foods you normally stay away from. Eat plenty of french fries and hamburgers. The goal is go get as much weight on now. You have one month before rads - you WILL lose weight so build a buffer now.

For an in depth discussion, seek out a nutritionist at your treatment center. You should have one available to you. Ask about after rads nutrition. A healthy balanced diet is the best you can take in but now is the wrong time for this. During treatments you need to push yourself to get those calories in. Its not the right time to get overly concerned about what you take in to achieve those calories. Meat contains protein which helps healing so avoiding meat would not be a good decision.

If you are pushing to get 2500 calories daily, push a little harder. Its even ok to take in 3500 or 4000 calories daily. Your body is fighting the treatments plus cancer and is burning calories at an incredible rate. Its almost like athletes in training.... they can do 7000 calories daily.

Radiation will get progressively harder as time goes on making your daily intake target harder to reach. This is why you must get into the habit early to make it easier to hit as time goes on as you will be used to it. I cant stress how important your calories and water intake are during and for the 1st year after rads ends. It will be the deciding factor in how well you do. Now isnt the time to worry about what is making up the calories, that is secondary to hitting your daily intake goals. Bulk up, you will need the extra pounds.

Ankur, what is your goal weight? I'd blow away in the wind eating like that. As Christine suggests, I would consult a nutritionist and determine what you need based on weight you began with and whether or not you are able to maintain it.

Just my two cents worth.

hi Mamacita. Okay - everyone here knows my views on diet. But I will share them again. I must admit I am biased I am a vegetarian/vegan and have been for years. I do credit it with keeping the cancer I had in check as I'd had a problem with my tongue for several years before it was finally diagnosed as cancer. It could very well have been displasia and then changed later - however, the tumor in my tongue had been there for some time. I know this. Anyway.

I agree you should get all the calories you can while recovering. Particularly if you are having issues eating and maintaining weight. Where I veer from the average advice giver, is in the type of calories. Everyone here says eat as much fatty food as you can. I disagree... While fat calories are necessary, and while they do help you gain weight, they are not the best way to get calories. They are empty.. and can clog arteries and have a long term effect on your health. Kinda like sugar calories. Ideally, get your calories from proteins, and complex carbs with the right amount of good fats.

I mean would you tell a sick person to eat at Mc Donalds and In and Out burger daily? NO!!! What you need are good calories. Flax oils, olive oils, not fried, maybe in a salad or added to other fluids (boullions, water) if you are sauteing.

I am not saying avoid meat. I am not going to push my beliefs on anyone. Personally I've read enough to support my health choices.
However if you do quit make sure you replace it with an alternative protein.

I put 2 tbsp of flax ( I grind it myself ) in with Almond milk (an awesome alternative to milk - and you can make it yourself from raw fresh almonds or buy it... preferably unsweetened) - I avoid soy if at all possible. And I add a plant based protein powder. Christine's shake is great and has calories galore. You can still make it just maybe modify the ingredients to be less dairy based if you want.

Try fresh legumes, and green leafy veggies (in soups - lentils, chick peas, beans, spinach, kale etc. ) Quinoa, chia, rice are also good sources of protein. if you don't like the texture toss it into a blender and make a smooth soup. You don't have to replace all meat and dairy at first maybe minimize it to see how you feel. There are a lot of alternatives out there to butter, and cheese, and you can even make your own cashew and almond cheeses.

Most importantly avoid processed foods. Basically eat healthfully, It doesn't have to be fatty. Just full of calories. hugs. Fat calories are fast and easy but easy isn't always the best way to do things. hugs.

Soy is NOT bad and should be part of everyone's diet.

Soy's isoflavones are credited with producing the healthy benefits. The isoflavones were first considered to be ''plant estrogens" and estrogen-like in action. But experts now believe they may also work in other ways, such as having antioxidant properties.

Among the findings of the working group:

Soy relieved certain menopausal symptoms. Utian says the relief from hot flashes is typically moderate. According to research, soy does not work as well as hormone therapy but was better than placebo, Utian tells WebMD. "If you give estrogen a 9 out of 10 score, and placebo 4 of 10, soy would be about 6.5."

Supplements with a higher proportion of the isoflavone known as genistein or increased S(-)-equol, which is made by intestinal bacteria from the isoflavone daidzein, seem to provide more benefits than other products.

Soy from foods is linked with lower risks of breast and endometrial cancer in studies.

Soy is not bad if you are eating soy beans or natural versions of it. The problem with soy milk/soy proteins etc, is that they are now highly refined and have a whole bunch of crap added to them - they've been messed with so you really don't know what you're ingesting which is really sad. You also don't know how much natural soy you are getting and what else is in the drink/protein. Years ago everyone jumped on the soy bandwagon and now its so refined and genetically modified that on some cases it's actually not good for you depending on what you are buying. Also if you have any other issues (any kind of hormone related cancer) they recommend avoiding soy all together.
Hugs

I'm with you on that Cheryl. I am very fortunate in that I am currently able to get almost all of my nutrition through food. I have eaten a lot of soy products for well over 50 years and that plays a role as well. Likewise, I was raised on MSG and for Asians, it would be hard to say it reduces the ability to learn as children as many studies suggest.

I used to make all my sky milk and tofu from organic soybeans for many years. I just don't have the time or money these days.

The hormone warnings are primarily for males because of the "estrogen" effect but it really has to be in significant high volumes. The benefit for women may be a good thing.

Sudden introduction of anything new to the body can have deleterious affects. I know of a lady that decided to listen to everyone telling her to drink more water one day. From noon to 7 pm she died from over consumption of water. Who would have imagined that?? It wasn't gallons either.

Drinking excess water lowers the serum sodium.
This then causes the brain to swell . If this is severe and untreated, yes it will kill you. ( just thought I'd add )
Tammy