Meeting nutrition needs through cancer treatment
Proteins, often referred to as the “building blocks” of the human body, are necessary for the growth and repair of all our cells. During cancer treatment, protein needs increase to support the extra demands brought on by the disease and its treatments. Additional protein is needed to restore cells affected by treatment (such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, immune factors, and muscles) andsupport healing from surgery or damage to healthy cells caused by chemotherapy or radiation.
Protein can come from animal source, such as poultry, seafood, meat, eggs or dairy, from plants as soy foods, legumes, nuts, seeds and some grains, or protein containing shakes and smoothies. To meet your protein goals, it’s important to incorporate protein rich foods at meals, snacks and smoothies as often as possible.
How much protein do you need during treatment
Individual protein needs will vary, but on average, a good estimate is to aim for at least 1 to 1.3 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (divide you weight in pounds by 2.2 to calculate kilograms), although in some circumstances needs may be different based on your clinical situation. Ask your clinical team or registered dietitian for recommendations tailored to your specific needs. A simple rule of thumb is to aim for 20 – 25 grams of protein with meals or smoothies and 5-10 grams with snacks.
Tip: We recommend calculating your protein needs and writing it down as a goal to try to attain to each day.
Tips for meeting protein needs
When building a plan to meet your protein needs, consider these tips to stay on track:
Our body uses protein best, particularly for maintaining muscles, if we spread it out over the day in smaller amounts versus trying to eat a lot once or twice a day.
Plan on including a protein source with each meal and snack. If you’re only able to eat small amounts at once it’s important to eat more frequently, following every protein-containing mini meal with a snack or smoothie with protein 2-3 hours later.
Experiment with protein smoothies – either homemade or store bought – early in treatment so you know what your preferences are. If you’re unable to drink a whole smoothie at once refrigerate what’s left and try again later.
If you’re feeling nauseous or smells of foods are bothersome, you may tolerate cold protein options better as they tend to be odorless, like cheese, yogurt, nuts or nut butters, sliced cold
Protein amounts in animal and plant-based sources of protein
Animal Based Protein Foods | Average Grams of Protein/Serving |
Poultry 3 ounces cooked chicken or turkey, meat only 1 Chicken drumstick 1 chicken wing ½ c chicken salad Seafood 3 ounces cooked fish (salmon, tuna, haddock, cod, trout, etc), cooked 3 oz shrimp or scallops, cooked Beef 3 oz sirloin steak, cooked (other cuts similar) 3 oz ground beef burger, cooked Pork 3 oz pork tenderloin, cooked 3 oz pork chop, cooked (bone in) Dairy 8 oz Milk (whole, 2%, 1%, skim) 8 oz Fairlife Milk 6 oz regular yogurt, plain, low fat 6 oz Greek yogurt, plain, low fat 1 oz cheese (American, cheddar, swiss, etc) ½ c cottage or ricotta cheese 8 oz Kefir fermented dairy beverage Eggs 1 egg, large 2 large egg whites |
25 grams 14 grams 9 grams 16 grams
19-23 grams 17 grams
24 grams 22 grams
22-25 grams 22 grams
8 gram 13 grams 6 grams 15-17 grams 7 grams 14-16 grams 11-14 grams
7 grams 12 grams |
Plant Based Protein Foods | Average Grams of Protein/Serving |
Non-Dairy Products 8 oz Ripple unsweetened pea protein milk 8 oz Silk Protein Almond & Cashew milk (also contains pea protein) 2/3 c Kite Hill Greek Style almond Yogurt (contains soy protein) Soy Foods 8 oz soy milk, enriched ¼ c soy nuts ½ soybeans (edamame) 3 oz soft or silken tofu 3 oz firm tofu 3 oz tempeh 1 patty soy burger (various brands) Beans ¼ c hummus ½ cooked beans (kidney, pinto, black, Garbanzo, lentils, refried, etc) 1 cup lentil soup 1 cup pea soup Nuts and Seeds ¼ cup (1 oz) almonds, peanuts, pistachios, Pumpkins, sunflowers seeds ¼ cusp cashews, Brazil, pine nuts, walnuts ¼ c pecans, macadamia nuts 2 Tbsp peanut butter 2 Tbsp almond butter Grains 1 cup quinoa 1 cup Barilla Protein Plus pasta, cooked ½ c chickpea pasta, dry ½ c steel cut oats, cooked ¼ c farro, dry ¼ c pearl barley, dry Protein Shakes (calorie content varies) 8 oz bottle Ensure 8 oz bottle Ensure Plus 8 oz bottle Ensure Enlive 10 Ensure Complete 8 oz Glucerna 8 oz bottle Boost 8 oz bottle Boost Plus 8 oz bottle Boost High Protein 8 oz carton Boost VHC Boost Glucose Control 1 4 oz Orgain Organic Protein Shake 11 oz Orgain Plant Protein Shake Carnation Instant Breakfast mixed with 8 oz milk Note: For more information on protein shakes ask an Iris Nurse for access to our resource, Supplementing with Protein Shakes During Cancer Treatment! |
8 grams 10 grams 17 grams
7 grams 10-12 grams 11 grams 4 grams 10 grams 15 grams 11-16 grams
6 grams 9 grams 11 grams 8 grams
7-9 grams 5 grams 3 grams 8 grams 6 grams
8 grams 10 grams 9 grams 6 grams 7 grams 5 grams
9 grams 16 gram 20 grams 30 grams 10 grams 10 grams 14 grams 20 grams 20 grams 16 grams 26 grams 20 grams |
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