Eating the right foods at the right time can help you cope with the dietary side effects of mesothelioma treatment.
One of the major challenges during treatment is getting enough protein and calories to prevent weight loss. Maintaining your weight and strength is important; this supports healing, aids recovery and allows for good immune function.
Examples of high-protein foods are chicken, fish, lean beef and pork, Greek yogurt, beans, nuts, spinach, cheese, eggs and soy foods such as tofu or tempeh.
To get extra calories, include healthy fats such as avocado, nuts, peanut butter, other nut butters and olive oil. Eat starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and squash. Enjoy fruit as a snack and with meals.
Mesothelioma may also cause vitamin deficiencies. For example, a 2021 clinical research study found that patients with asbestos-related diseases had lower vitamin D levels than healthy patients. For some, vitamin supplements may be necessary to maintain healthy levels.