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Treatments | Nutritional

How Do Treatments Affect Eating?

• Side Effects - We found that chemotherapy, transplant, and alternative/homeopathy treatments each affected Jennifer's eating. A number of the treatments targeted the destruction of cancer cells but also produced side effects. The most common side effects were loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, sore mouth, change in taste of food, and dry mouth that directly affected her eating. The positive side is this effect on eating passes once the side effect decreases or stops after a particular phase of treatment.
• Parents: Be Aggressive - We became more aggressive in working with the physicians, Jennifer's pediatrician, and use of nutritional therapy at each stage of her treatment program. We found the parents are the ones that have to investigate and inquire about the use of nutritional therapy in conjunction with traditional chemotherapy/transplant procedures. This, however, was not the case regarding the alternative/homeopathy treatments. We did find whether we followed the traditional or alternative/homeopathy treatments, that attention to Jennifer's nutritional diet and supplements helped her overcome quicker the side effects of cancer treatment, increased the quality of her life, and extended her life beyond the predictions of the medical professionals.

What Are Nutritional Treatments?

Nutritional treatments are often used in conjunction with traditional chemotherapies/transplant treatments or as part of an alternative/homeopathy treatment programs. We did find that nutritional treatments increased the quality and length of Jennifer's life.

The following are some helpful hints used by the Stroud family, other families using nutritional treatments, and nutritional professionals.

• Communication - Discuss with your child that the cancer treatment will often result in loss of appetite, change in taste, and difficulties in eating due to mouth sores, dry mouth, or nausea.
• Favorite Foods - Nutritious meals should be built around the child's favorite foods. This is an emotionally and physically trying time. We found that calorie intake is more important than the variety of foods. Doctors or dietitians often recommend more high protein and high calorie foods. The protein foods help the body stay strong and repair itself, while high calorie foods help prevent weight loss.
• Frequent Meals - Smaller bites and more frequent meals will often help your child. Smaller bites and frequent sips of milk, water or other unsweetened drinks will make chewing and swallowing easier. We often found eating 4 to 6 meals a day provided an emotional lift, and reduced the nausea and vomiting.
• Selection - Nutritious food, such as milk shakes, yogurt, fruit, and juices will help provide extra calories and protein. We tried to stay away from calorie deficient foods such as soft drinks, chips and candy. However, we did utilize favorite candies as a reward after a tough treatment or procedure.
• Change In Taste - Due to a change in taste, we had to experiment with different foods. We found that well seasoned foods such as pizza and spaghetti were well received at times. In the event there was a decrease in intake due to lack of taste, we increased fluids to maintain protein and calorie levels.
• Timing - The timing of eating and drinking when taking oral medications is critical. We found professional advice should be sought regarding whether or not oral medications should be taken on an empty or full stomach and how the use of fluids and food can be of assistance. We found certain medicines best taken on an empty stomach, whereas, other medicines dictated a full stomach.

Are nutritional recipes and reference books available?

• Recipes - A number of recipes have been developed that provide high protein, high calorie tasteful foods. We have compiled hundreds of such recipes to help emotionally strained and physically exhausted parents. Just send a written request addressed to the Jennifer Lynn Stroud Foundation at the address set forth in Correspondence.
• Reference Books - A description of reference books is set forth in the Reference section.