Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 6: From eliminating sugar to surviving on raw foods, cancer patients are often overwhelmed by diet advice that promises dramatic results but lacks scientific backing.

Cutting through this confusion, Ms Veena V, Chief Clinical Dietician and Head of the Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, has cautioned against restrictive diets and emphasised the critical role of balanced nutrition during cancer treatment.

In an exclusive interaction, Ms Veena V said there is no single food that can either cure cancer or accelerate its growth. “There is no one food that can either cure cancer or make it grow. But maintaining good nutrition is absolutely critical to help patients tolerate treatment, heal better, and live with improved quality of life,” she said.

Drawing from clinical experience and evidence-based science, she explained that extreme dietary measures often do more harm than good. While patients may feel empowered by taking control of their diet, cancer metabolism is complex and cannot be reduced to the consumption or elimination of a single nutrient.

One of the most neglected aspects of cancer care, according to Ms Veena V, is unintended weight loss. “Many cancer patients experience weight loss or reduced ability to eat, and this can directly impact treatment response and recovery. Nutrition intervention should begin at the start of treatment, not as an afterthought,” she stressed.

Studies have shown that malnutrition can increase treatment-related toxicity, delay healing, and negatively affect survival outcomes. Early and proactive nutrition planning helps preserve muscle mass, immunity and physical strength, all of which are vital for continuing therapy without interruption.

Dispelling one of the most common misconceptions, Ms Veena V said avoiding sugar does not “starve” cancer. “Yes, cancer cells use glucose, but so do all healthy cells in your body.
Avoiding sugar will not cure cancer, nor will eating sugar suddenly make it worse,” she clarified.

She warned that very low-calorie or highly unbalanced diets, especially those providing less than 800 calories a day, can weaken patients and complicate treatment outcomes. “What matters is calorie adequacy, weight stability and overall metabolic health, not fear-driven food elimination,” she said.

Highlighting nutritional priorities during treatment, Ms Veena V said adequate protein and calories are crucial. “They help the body recover, maintain strength, and tolerate chemotherapy or radiation,” she noted.

With many patients facing nausea, taste changes and fatigue, meeting nutritional needs through regular food alone can be difficult. “In such cases, oral nutritional supplements are not a failure; they are a medical necessity,” she said.

For patients with severe cancer-related weight loss or cachexia, she advocated a combined approach involving medication, nutrition therapy and appropriate physical activity.

While social media promotes fad diets, Ms Veena V said evidence-based lifestyle choices continue to make a meaningful difference. A balanced diet rich in plant-based foods, staying physically active within individual limits and avoiding excessive alcohol intake are practical and scientifically supported measures.

Her advice to patients and caregivers was simple and clear: “If you or a loved one is undergoing cancer treatment, ask your oncology team for a referral to a dietitian. A personalised plan is far better than internet hoaxes.”

At a time when fear-driven food myths spread faster than medical facts, experts say accurate nutrition guidance can play a decisive role in improving treatment tolerance, recovery and overall quality of life for cancer patients.