Nutrition Counseling
Take advantage of Adventist HealthCare Cancer Centers’ nutrition counseling to learn about your nutritional needs and how to address them. Keeping your appetite up and finding time to prepare healthy meals can be a challenge. Our dedicated cancer dietitians are ready to help make a meal plan that works for you.
Why Is Nutrition Important?
Good nutrition gives your body the energy it needs to recover. Certain cancers can impact your body’s ability to get nutrients from food. Also, many cancer treatments cause symptoms like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Changes in taste
All these issues combined increase the risk of malnutrition, which slows healing and recovery.
Cancers That Cause Malnutrition
If you have certain types of cancer, you’re less likely to get enough nutrition. It’s especially important to work with a dietitian if you have:
- Any stage 3 or 4 cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Gastric cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Lung cancer
What Should I Eat?
There’s no one-size-fits-all diet for someone with cancer. Nutritious diets for cancer patients can look different than a good diet for someone who is healthy. Your type of cancer also affects your need for a specialized diet. That’s why your team at Adventist HealthCare includes a registered dietitian who specializes in helping cancer patients. This expert works to help you find foods that are healthy for you, tasty, and simple to prepare.
Nutrition Services
To learn how to eat a healthy diet, explore programs from Adventist HealthCare Cancer Centers and our partners.
Nutrition Consultation
Ask your care team to schedule an appointment with your cancer dietitian or call to request nutrition counseling at:
- Shady Grove Aquilino Cancer Center: 240-826-2012
- White Oak Cancer Center: 240-471-3800
This one-on-one meeting can help:
- Improve nutrition and health
- Provide information on supplements and vitamins
- Teach you about special diets, including those focused on high protein, a healthy heart or kidneys, modified texture, and more
- Address food aversions
- Teach you about enteral (tube feeding) and IV nutrition
Group Classes
We offer in-person and online classes about nutrition and cancer. Gather to learn from expert dietitians and speak with other cancer patients and their families about dietary choices.
Ask A Dietitian
This monthly roundtable hosted by a cancer dietitian and other cancer care team members focuses on nutrition and health information. You’ll get a chance to ask questions about your diet and health. Some topics discussed include appetite, weight maintenance, hydration, recipes, and more.
Symptom Management
If your symptoms or treatment side effects keep you from eating normally, talk to your doctor. Medications may help. Anti-nausea drugs, appetite stimulants, and supplements can work alongside good nutrition to help you recover.
Warning Signs
Certain changes in your eating habits or weight may be a warning sign that something is wrong. If you experience any of these symptoms, reach out to your care team immediately:
- Sudden, accidental weight loss
- Sudden, accidental weight gain
- Persistent loss of appetite
