Diet during chemo - help!

Lisa1964

I have used chemo as an excuse to have a very poor diet.  I have been eating almost nothing healthy and eating all the junk food I want.  Prior to BC, I followed a "clean eating" diet for the most part.

I am 4 tx's into 6 total.  My blood counts have tanked after my last tx and I had to go back for IV fluids.  My tx's are 3 weeks apart and on weeks 2 and 3, I go to the gym and ride my horse to help combat muscle atrophy and fatigue and to keep from going nuts.

Here is my question:  When the BC bull started, I read that raw veggies were a TOTAL no no due to potential bacteria.  I would NEVER eat off a public salad bar, but if I wash and prepare my own raw veggies, are they safe?  I have been eating a lot of peeled melons and other peeled fruits this week with no s/e's.  Since trying to eat better I have found that I get NO chemo taste when I eat fresh foods as opposed to processed foods.  So do I need to cook all my veggies or can I eat them raw?  I would kill for a salad.  Also, my father has a garden so I can get a lot of my veggies there and not have to depend on the local market.  And I have a nice organic market in my town too that has fresh foods.

Thanks, Lisa

Anonymous

Hi Lisa...I ate salads and lots of raw veggies throughout chemo, with my onc's blessing. I washed everything very well and had no problems. I did inject myself with Neupogen, but that probably wouldn't have protected me from all of the bacteria on the food. If you're very concerned that you're not getting all of the gunk off, why not try that spray veggie wash? It's sold in Whole Foods and, possibly, other food stores. And though organic fruits & veggies don't have the chemicals on them, it's best to wash them too since you never know about soil and even the hands of those who touched them before you.

I say ENJOY!

~Marin

Lisa1964

Thanks for the reply Marin.  I will start re-introducing raw veggies a little at a time.  I do know I can't use that spray, I am HIGHLY sensitive to.

Small salad, here I come!!!! 

Thanks again.  Lisa

carol1949

Lisa,  Eat the raw vegetables.  It helps for some if you peel them, but other than that you can wash them and feel just as safe with them as with other foods that are so over processed  I would like to suggest for you to get the book by Dr. Patrick Quillin called Beating Cancer With Nutrition.  You can Google him and read a few excerpts from it.  I was able to get it from the local library.

My oncologist is familiar with him and approved of his theories as well.

Be your own advocate and trust your heart!

Lisa1964

Thanks Carol.  I am sure that eating all the processed foods has contributed to my "steroid gut".  For a while there I looked like I was 5 months pregnant.  Now I am down to a 3 month gestation size.  I will absolutely look into the book.  I have Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis Balch, but it is very overwhelming right now.  I think if I go slow and wash well, I will be fine, if not better.

Thanks again,

Lisa

Liz08

Lisa-

thought I add what I was told by my naturalpath.  When washing any vegetables or fruit; spray them down with of mixture of 1/2 regular white vinegar and 1/2 water, let stand for about 10-15 minutes then you can rinse under running water.  The acid from the vinegar will help break down bacteria and pesticides.  I use this mixture when I wash my lettuce leaves too.  

I have also read about the following pesticide wash for fruits and vegetables from www.Gorgeouslygreen.com and Oprah's website. 

Here's the link http://www.oprah.com/recipe/food/healthyeating/food_20080422_spray

Sorry it won't link so you can copy and paste the above in you address bar but here's how you make it.

1cup water, 1 cup white distilled vinegar, 1 tbsp baking soda, 20drops of grapefruit extract.  Spray and leave on for 5 minutes then rise off.

Lisa1964

Liz, that is great advice and a wonderful recipe for the wash.  Thanks.  I positively cannot eat anything that has been sprayed with the commercial vegetable wash - makes me sicker than a dog within 45 minutes and that was BEFORE chemo.

I am easing myself back into eating clean and raw fruits and vegetables.  I really think I will feel better and do better going into my next tx.  Not to mention easing the steroid prego belly.

I honestly feel that ALL of us come out the other end of this ordeal qualified to write a book on some aspect of BC, treatment, side effects, coping, living, what not to do, etc.

Thanks for the help guys!

Lisa

roseg

Does a rinse in water with a few drops of bleach bother you?