What should a child's diet be like during cancer treatment? Learn from your doctor what to feed and what not to feed.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy and radiation, has a profound impact on a child's body. Therefore, proper nutrition during this time becomes not just a means of filling the stomach, but a vital part of treatment.

A healthy and balanced diet helps maintain a child's immunity, prevent muscle damage, and reduce side effects of treatment.  Let's learn from Dr. Neha Garg (Senior Consultant and Head of Medical Oncology, Andromeda Cancer Hospital, Sonipat) what a child's diet should be like during cancer treatment.

Hygiene and home-cooked food 

During cancer treatment, a child's immunity is significantly reduced, increasing the risk of infection. Therefore, always feed freshly prepared food. Stored or stale food can cause infection. Also, avoid eating outside. Avoid street food, raw salads, unpasteurized milk, and juices sold in the open. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and pay special attention to the hygiene of the cook's hands.

Protein and energy balance

Protein is essential for repairing body cells. Include pulses, cheese, soybeans, tofu, milk, and yogurt in your diet. If your child is a non-vegetarian, consider offering well-cooked eggs or soft-boiled chicken. For carbohydrates, offer khichdi, porridge, rice, and tapioca pearls. These are good sources of energy and easy to digest.

Less spicy and easily digestible food

Chemotherapy often causes mouth ulcers or nausea in children . If the throat or mouth is sore, offer mashed foods such as lentils and rice, custard, soup, or mashed banana. Foods high in oil, chili, and spices can cause stomach irritation.

Give food in small portions

During treatment, your child may not be able to eat much at one time. Therefore, instead of giving him three large meals a day, feed him small portions every two to three hours. This reduces the strain on the digestive system and ensures a consistent supply of nutrition.

Hydration

Water is essential for flushing out toxins from the body. Only drink boiled and cooled water.  Coconut water, fresh homemade soup, and diluted buttermilk help maintain hydration. Avoid packaged juices or cold drinks, as they contain high amounts of sugar.

Some important tips for parents

During treatment, the child may become irritable or find food tasting bitter. In such cases:

• Don't force-feed – Don't try to force-feed your child. Give them healthy, healthy meals that they enjoy.
• Counseling and advice: Before making any major changes to your diet, talk to your oncologist or dietitian.

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