Mouth cancer support: Tips for better eating and healing

Mouth Cancer Support: Heal Better by Eating Better.

The treatment of mouth cancer, including surgery, radiation, or even chemotherapy, may tend to impair your ability to eat, chew, and swallow without any pain. Good nutrition is essential in helping you recover, keeping you strong and enhancing your general well-being. These are some specific precautions and actions that could be used to control eating difficulties and ensure healing:

1. Focus on Soft and Moist Foods

Eat soft foods, such as mashed potatoes, yoghurt, soups, smoothies, scrambled eggs and oatmeal.

Wet foods can be swallowed with ease and eliminate the pain that comes along with dryness or mouth sores.

2. Eat Small, Frequent Meals

Rather than three big meals, take 5-6 small meals during the day to maintain a proper diet.

Frequent food (meals) is to sustain the energy levels and alleviate fatigue caused by eating difficulties.

3. Healthy Emphasis on High-Protein Foods.

Protein plays a crucial role in the recovery of tissues and strength.

Add eggs, dairy products, lentils, tofu and soft meats (such as fish or shredded chicken) when tolerated.

4. Stay Hydrated

Take a lot of fluids, including water, herbal teas and diluted fruit juices.

Dry mouth or irritation in the mouth may be resolved by ice chips, smoothies or soups.

5. Avoid Irritating Foods

Foods that are spicy, acidic or very salty may irritate the sensitive tissues.

Foods that are hard or crunchy (such as chips or nuts) can be painful or bloody.

6. Take Nutritional Supplements when required.

In situations where solid food is hard to eat, liquid nutritional supplements or protein shakes can supply calorie and protein requirements.

Supplements should always be used with the consent of your doctor or nutritionist.

7. Practice Gentle Oral Care

Keep your mouth clean and rinse it with a soft toothbrush and mild mouth rinses to minimise the threat of infection.

Do not use alcohol-based mouthwashes, which will only dry the mouth or irritate it even more.

8. Adapt Food Temperature and Texture.

There are those amongst patients who are soothed by warm foods, and there are those who are cooled or prefer room-temperature food.

Foods can be blended or pureed, which helps them to be easier to swallow and consume.

9. Work With a Specialist

A dietitian or nutritionist with oncology expertise can develop an individualised menu of meals.

Homoeopathic or supportive treatment could be used to deal with pain, inflammation and stomach comfort.

10. Listen to Your Body

Consume gradually and quit when there is pain or discomfort.

Note down a food diary to see the best and the worst foods that you can tolerate.