If you are already suffering from diabetes, and have now been diagnosed with cancer, you will need a special diet plan that helps you manage both diseases.
While your diet will not cure cancer, it will help you consume sufficient nutrition to withstand your cancer treatment, and also reduce some of the side effects you may be facing.
In this article, Onco.com’s team helps us understand the requirements of a diet for cancer patients with diabetes.
What foods should diabetic patients with cancer avoid?
Of all the food groups, carbohydrates have the most effect on blood sugar levels. This is because carbohydrates get broken down into glucose and then absorbed into our bloodstream.
There are three types of carbohydrates like starches, sugar and fibre. Of these, sugary and starchy carbohydrates raise our blood sugar levels. Fibre does not raise our blood sugar levels.
Maintaining a low to moderate carbohydrate diet (especially starchy and sugary carbohydrates) can prevent spikes in your blood sugar and reduce risk of diabetes-related complications.
- Sugary drinks (sugar in tea and coffee, cool drinks)
- Aerated drinks (soda, soft drinks)
- Fried foods like chips, fries
- Bakery products like cakes, muffins
- Packaged/processed foods like frozen meals, biscuits
Trans fats are also to be avoided in the diet. Completely avoid foods that have the word ‘partially hydrogenated’ on their packaging.
Refined flour (maida) causes spikes in blood sugar level and should be avoided even in home cooked foods.
Cancer + Diabetes Diet
8 – 18 % of cancer patients have diabetes. Very often, once cancer has been diagnosed in these patients, diabetes management gets de-prioritised. However, managing blood sugar levels is as important as managing your cancer nutrition.
Some cancer treatments and medications may also impact your blood sugar levels, making it important for regular monitoring of blood sugar during your cancer treatment.
A good diet plan for such patients will include good amounts of proteins, vegetables, whole grains and cereals that are low in fats and calories.
What about fibre?
Dietary fibre is classified into two types: soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fibre is found in foods like oats, peas, apples, beans, citrus fruits, carrot, broccoli etc. These foods help in lowering blood sugar level.
Insoluble fibre helps the easy passage of stool through the digestive system, preventing constipation. Whole wheat flour, nuts, vegetables like cauliflower, potato etc.
Your total fibre intake should be in the range of 25 – 30 gm per day.
However, some diabetic patients may find that fibre rich foods aggravate certain symptoms like loose motions. Similarly, those suffering from stomach cancer may not benefit from fibre rich foods. A modified fibre diet will need to be customised to your requirements.
Which foods are good for cancer patients with diabetes?
It’s helpful to understand the ‘glycemic index’ of any food. This will help you decide if a particular food is good for you or not.
Glycemic index is the value assigned to a food based on how slowly or how quickly that food can increase your blood sugar level. Foods with a low glycemic index have scores below 55.
Good options include:
- Eggs (limit whole eggs to 3 per week; egg whites daily)
- Dairy: yogurt, curd, buttermilk (avoid milk at bedtime)
- Fruits with low glycemic index: apple, avocado, cherries, grapes, kiwi, orange, plum, moderately ripe banana
- Medium GI: papaya, pineapple (in moderation)
- High GI: watermelon (best avoided)
Selecting non-vegetarian foods to include in your diet
Lean meats are low in saturated and trans fats and are extremely good for cancer patients. Chicken without skin, turkey, fish and other seafood can be consumed daily to meet protein requirements.
Smaller portions of medium fat meats like ground lamb, pork etc can be consumed occasionally.
High fat and processed meats like sausages need to be completely avoided.
How much meat can I consume daily?
This differs from person to person and is dependent on factors like age, body weight, cancer type, activity level etc. Our dietician can give you your daily consumption amounts after collecting these details from you.
It’s best to completely avoid red meat and stick to white meats like chicken and fish.
How often should I eat?
For diabetic patients small, frequent meals are best. Stick to a schedule so that you are consuming the same quantity of food at the same time daily. This avoids hypoglycemia.
Eat 4 to 6 smaller meals instead of three big meals. Avoid skipping meals. Do not go for more than 5 hours without a meal. Maintain a gap of 3 – 5 hours between meals. Do not delay your breakfast.
Can I have tea and coffee?
Both tea and coffee contain caffeine. This substance reduces your body’s ability to use insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body is already unable to use insulin to optimum levels. Caffeine makes it harder to manage blood sugar levels.
Limit caffeine to 200 mg/day (~240 ml coffee). You can opt for decaf versions. Avoid adding sugar, honey, jaggery or any sweeteners. Take unsweetened versions instead.
Should I cut out carbs completely?
There is no evidence that cutting carbohydrates completely from your diet will help with cancer or diabetes.
Instead of cutting out a food group completely, restrict it based on accepted dietary guidelines. 45 – 60% of your daily calories can be from carbohydrates.
Some cancer treatments like chemotherapy can cause nausea and vomiting, which could affect your food intake, leading to low blood sugar levels. Take anti-nausea medication to ensure proper food intake.
I’m following a proper diet, why is my blood sugar still high?
During cancer treatment, your blood sugar may rise for reasons other than your diet. Stress, cancer medications like steroids can lead to spikes.
What you can do:
- Continue to follow your diet
- Drink plenty of water
- Take more frequent, smaller meals
- Monitor your carbohydrate intake
- Monitor your sugar levels
If sugar levels remain uncontrolled, consult your doctor immediately.