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Nutrition Services for Cancer Patients
Nutrition Services for Cancer Patients
Nutrition is an important part of life, cancer treatment, recovery, and prevention. Food is one of the few things you can be in control of during your treatment. The oncology certified registered dietitians at the Stanford Cancer Center are here to help you make informed choices about nutrition, answer your nutrition-related questions, and help you to achieve and maintain good health.
Care and Treatment
Food Guide Pyramid
One source for sound nutrition advice on cancer prevention and diet is the American Dietetic Association (ADA). As a reference for meal planning, the ADA recommends the Food Guide Pyramid and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Both of these support the "total diet approach" to eating. This means long-term eating habits are more important than what you eat at a single meal. In their words, "there are no good or bad foods, only good or bad diets or eating styles."
The Food Guide Pyramid shows the types and serving sizes for the foods we should eat every day to stay healthy. Foods are placed in the pyramid in a way that shows how important they are to our health. We should eat more of the foods at the base than foods at the top.
For example, grains, fruits, and vegetable groups are at the base of the pyramid. Meat, dairy, and fat groups are toward the top. Though all groups are important, the plant foods are at the base so that we remember to eat more of those and less of the animal products and added fats.
The layout of the pyramid is also based on the fact that heart disease is the number one killer in America. Having the higher fat foods at the top tells us to eat those foods in moderation.
Food serving sizes
A serving size is smaller than you may think. Following are serving sizes for each of the food groups.
Bread, cereal, rice & pasta group
(6-11 servings a day recommended)
A serving is:
- 1 slice of bread
- 1 oz of ready-to-eat cereal
- 1/2 cup cooked pasta
- 1/3 cup rice
- 1/2 cup cooked cereal (oatmeal, cream of wheat, grits)
- 4-6 crackers
NUTRITION TIP:
Make sure your cereals and grains have labels claiming 100 percent whole-wheat, so your body receives the benefits of fiber. Look for bread that has 3 grams or more of fiber per slice.
Fruit group (2-4 servings a day recommended)
A serving of fruit is:
- 1 medium-sized fruit, such as an apple, orange, banana, or pear
- 1/2 cup of raw, cooked, canned, or frozen fruits
- 3/4 cup (6 oz) of 100 percent fruit juice
- 1/4 cup dried fruit, like raisins, apricots, or mango
Vegetable group (3-5 servings a day recommended)
A serving of vegetables is:
- 1 cup of raw (carrots, broccoli) or leafy vegetables (i.e., lettuce, spinach)
- 1/2 cup cooked garden vegetables
- 3/4 cup of vegetable juice
NUTRITION TIP:
Choose frozen or low sodium canned vegetables if you do not have time to cut up or cook raw vegetables.
Milk, yogurt & cheese group
(2-3 servings a day recommended)
For dairy products and recipes that use them, choose skim or 1 percent milk and soft cheeses such as cottage, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and Neufchatel. These have less saturated fat, which can clog your arteries.
A serving of dairy foods is:
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 cup unflavored yogurt
- 1 1/2 oz of natural cheese or 2 oz processed cheese
- 1/2 cup of ice cream or ice milk
Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs & nuts group
(2-3 servings or 6-9 oz a day recommended)
One serving of meat or meat substitute is 3 oz of chicken, beef, pork, fish, or veggie burger. An easy way to judge a meat portion is to remember that a 3-oz portion is the size of a full deck of cards or a woman's palm.
If you eat red meat, choose lean cuts such as round, sirloin and flank. Because these have less fat, they are tough cuts and will benefit from being marinated or cooked with a liquid in a crockpot to make them more tender. Keep portions to the size of a deck of cards. Moderate portions of meat will leave more space on your plate for cancer fighting fruits, vegetables, and grains.
One ounce of meat or meat substitute is:
- 1/2 cup cooked or canned legumes (beans and peas)
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup of nuts (small handful)
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
Fats, oils & sweets
(Fats and sweets should be eaten sparingly. They are high in calories and fat.)
A serving of fat is:
- 1 teaspoon of oil or regular mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon of light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon of regular or 2 tablespoons of light salad dressing
- 2 tablespoons of sour cream
- 1 strip of bacon
A serving of sweets is:
- 1 3-inch cookie
- 1 plain doughnut
- 4 chocolate kisses
- 1 teaspoon of sugar or honey
Recipes
Cancer Fighting Recipe of the Week: Week 3
In honor of Colon Cancer Awareness month, we'll be featuring four colorectal cancer friendly recipes each week during the month of March.
Basil Broccoi
Broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are all cruciferous vegetables. This vegetable family contains powerful phytochemicals, including carotenoids, indoles and glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, which have been studied and shown to slow the growth of many cancers.
Grilled Vegetable Polenta with Pan Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Sauce
Halibut with Citrus and Garlic
Hearty Beef Stew with Winter Vegetables
Herbed Polenta with Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Mediterranean Grilled Veggie Pockets
Molasses-Cured Pork Loin with Apples
New American Plate "Tetrazzini" Casserole
Peppers Stuffed with Barley, Parmesan and Onion
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Maple Mustard Sauce
Seared Scallops with Beet Puree and Arugula Salad
Soft Tacos with Southwestern Vegetables
Spicy Broccoli, Cauliflower and Tofu
Steamed Halibut on Spinach with Lemon Sauce
Summer Tofu Kebab with Peanut Sauce
Turkey Reuben Grilled Sandwiches
Udon Noodles with Spicy Peanut Ginger Sauce
For Patients
PREPARE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT
- Bring your photo ID and Insurance Card
- Maps, directions, parking, public transit options, and contact information
Ask your physician for a REFERRAL for a Cancer Center Nutrition Appointment
Our dietitians are available for 45 minute consults by appointment only, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Download our nutrition appointment flyer.
Questions about your appointment or need to make a change?
RESOURCES
For Health Care Professionals
Our dietitians are available for 45 minute consults by appointment only on: Mondays – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
HOW TO REFER
Call us at 1-650-498-6000 to refer a new patient for a nutrition consultation. If you wish to refer a patient to the Stanford Cancer Center, please call the Physician Helpline.
Download our nutrition appointment flyer.
Returning Patient
Questions about your appointment or need to make a change? Call:
Nutrition Services for Cancer Patients at Stanford Cancer Center Palo Alto
650-498-6000
Nutrition Services for Cancer Patients at Stanford Cancer Center South Bay
408-426-4900