Cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. It is a chronic disease, and its treatment causes many side effects as well, so it is very important for a cancer patient to maintain a healthy diet for a speedy recovery. Antioxidants fight the growth of cancer cells and slow the growth of cancer cells, and the intake of fruits and vegetables is the key to a healthy diet and proper nutrition. Also, fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and carbohydrates, which boost energy levels.
Cancer treatment also weakens the immune system, so vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly rinsed before eating or cooking as safety and hygiene are also necessary. It is always advisable to consult a dietician during and after cancer treatment to ensure that a patient is consuming the correct food. This article includes some snacks to be made with vegetables and fruits.
Snack options for cancer patients made with vegetables
- Cut raw vegetables like cucumber, tomato, carrot, and parsley and sprinkle them with salt. Cucumber contains a good amount of detoxifying agents, and this is a very healthy mid-meal snack option.
- Steamed vegetables like broccoli, beans, cauliflower, cabbage are rich in nutrients and can be included in the snack diet for cancer patients.
- Puree or soup can be made from various vegetables like carrot, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and beans after steaming them.
- Pasta with vegetables like carrots, green beans, green peas, and tomatoes is another healthy snack.
- Roast vegetable salad with asparagus, red and yellow bell peppers, spinach, carrots, and broccoli is a delicious and healthy snack for cancer patients.
- A variety of green vegetables like broccoli florets, spinach, kale, and mint leaves can be used to make a smoothie.
Snack options for cancer patients made with fruits
Many varieties of fruits are rich in health-promoting compounds, and they can be used to make snacks for cancer patients:
- Pomegranate is a nutritious and delicious fruit with various health benefits. It can be added to snacks for cancer patients in the form of a salad, juice, smoothie, porridge, or muffins.
- Berries like blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries are good sources of antioxidants and fiber. Blueberries also have memory-boosting power, and berries can be eaten in a salad, jam, cookies, tarts, muffins, ice pops, or yogurt.
- Apple is another healthy snack option for cancer patients. The fruit can be eaten whole without peeling or can be included in delicious snacks like pies, tarts, porridge, juices, or smoothies.
- Oranges, popular citrus fruits with vitamin C, help boost immunity. These fruits can be used to make smoothies by adding with other fruits like apples and kiwi. They can also be used to make juice, pudding, or jam.
- Banana is a very healthy addition to the diet of cancer patients. A whole banana itself is a great option, or it can be used to make a shake, a salad with other fruits and cereals, puddings, or muffins.
