Serves: 5

Planning meals and eating can be real challenges when you aren't feeling well, and sound nutrition has perhaps never been more important to your life than right now-your very survival may depend on it. Keep these important nutrition basics in mind as you plan and eat your meals.

BALANCE IS KEY
Eating a balanced diet including a variety of foods each day helps ensure that you get the fuel and all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. The fuel, or energy your body requires, comes from calories. And calories come from balanced sources of carbohydrates, protein and fat.

Carbohydrates provide quick energy and are your body's favorite fuel source. That's why the bulk of your calories (about 55 to 60 percent) is made up of carbohydrates. Foods such as breads, cereals, pasta, rice and potatoes are all examples of carbohydrates, along with simple sugars, honey and fruits. Easy to eat, these foods provide calories that can help sustain you through treatment and healing.

Protein helps build new cells. It makes hormones and enzymes that keep your body functioning and makes antibodies to fight off infection. Protein comes primarily from animal foods, such as meats, fish, poultry and dairy sources, along with some plant foods such as dry beans, vegetables, rice and pasta. As your body fights the cancerous cells, it needs plenty of protein to keep going.

Fat helps to build new cells, shuttle vitamins through your body and make certain hormones that regulate your blood pressure, along with other vital functions. Fats come from oils, butter, margarine, nuts and sweets (such as chocolate and ice cream). Experts recommend that no more than 30 percent of calories should come from fat. But as you progress through your treatment, you may find you need a bit of extra fat to maintain your weight. When adding fat, try to stay away from fried or greasy foods because they may be difficult to digest.

Vitamins help release energy from the fuel sources of carbohydrate, protein and fat. Your vision, hair and skin, as well as the strength of your bones, all depend upon the vitamins that come from the foods you eat. The more variety you have in your diet, the more likely you are to get all the vitamins your body needs.

Minerals help your body with many functions under the surface. Of particular importance during cancer treatment, certain minerals may be needed in greater than normal amounts. Iron, for example, a mineral that carries much-needed oxygen to your body cells, is in great demand. Calcium (key to strong bones and teeth) and potassium (important for proper nerve and muscle function) are also required in greater amounts than usual by cancer survivors.

Surgery and chemotherapy deplete the body of many essential vitamins and minerals. The Foods Rich in Essential Nutrients chart (A-Foods Rich in Essential Nutrients) shows food sources that can help provide some of these important minerals. Check with your doctor or dietitian to be sure your diet is supplying sufficient quantities of nutrients or to see if you require supplements. It's best not to take vitamin and mineral supplements on your own, without the supervision of your doctor or dietitian.

From "Betty Crocker's Living with Cancer Cookbook." Text Copyright 2005 General Mills, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

More Recipes from the Betty Crocker's Living With Cancer Cookbook Cookbook:
01-Having A Diagnosis Of Cancer
02-Bring Back the Joy of Eating
03-Be Prepared for a Roller Coaster Ride Coaster Ride
04-So What Is Cancer All About, Anyway?
05-Take Control of Your Life
06-Eat Well and Enjoy Food
07-The Importance of Sound Nutrition
08-Enjoy Cooking, Shopping and Eating
09-Special Diets
10-Foods for Special Diets
11-Mind-Body-Spirit Connection to Healing
12-Beyond Treatment
13-The ABCs for a Healthy Lifestyle
14-Onward and Upward
A-Key to Common Side Effects
B-Foods Rich in Essential Nutrients
C-Food Guide Pyramid
D-Radiation (Radiotherapy) Remedies