Do cancer patients need to avoid red meat?

According to Professor, Dr. Le Thi Huong - Director of the Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Training, Head of the Clinical Nutrition Center, K Hospital, several studies worldwide indicate that people who eat a lot of red meat are at risk of developing certain diseases. cancer People with colorectal cancer have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than those who eat a normal or small amount. However, nutritionally, patients with colorectal cancer can still eat. Red meat Normal dosage as recommended by your doctor.

Even during chemotherapy, patients don't need to eliminate red meat from their diet. Besides being high in protein, red meat also contains micronutrients like iron and zinc, which are very good for health.

"Cancer patients or those undergoing cancer treatment don't need to completely avoid red meat; they can eat it as usual, but in moderation, around 400-500g per week. This is equivalent to having three meals of red meat a week, or three days with a red meat menu of 70-100g each time. It can be prepared in various easy-to-eat dishes such as pho or stir-fried beef with celery...""That's what Doctor Huong said."

According to Dr. Huong, red meat is the meat of four-legged animals such as pigs, buffaloes, cows, dogs, etc. White meat is the meat of poultry such as chickens, birds, ducks, geese, and swans.

For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, eating is very difficult, especially since they often lack appetite. In addition, they frequently experience side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, difficulty eating doesn't mean indiscriminate dietary restrictions; it's simply a matter of paying attention to which foods to eat in larger or smaller quantities, depending on their condition and their doctor's instructions.

Besides eating red meat as advised by doctors and increasing their intake of white meat, patients can still eat many types of plant-based protein-rich foods such as peanuts, beans, and tofu.

A notable aspect of the diet for colorectal cancer patients is that they are often advised to eat more seafood than other foods. This is because seafood is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and its protein is metabolized and absorbed better than meat. For other foods, except in cases requiring colostomy surgery, the diet of cancer patients remains quite varied.

"Except for certain cases of colostomy surgery, patients only need to be mindful of avoiding certain foods that can cause discomfort. Because the colostomy is prone to gas production, patients should avoid foods that generate a lot of gas, such as beans, cruciferous vegetables, carbonated drinks, processed foods, and fried foods..." Doctor Huong advises.