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Dietitians are the best resource for developing individualized mesothelioma diet and nutrition plans. In addition to dietitians, other resources such as recipe books and health apps may help patients manage care. Diet and nutrition are important parts of a patient’s treatment and recovery.


01. Benefits of a Dietitian

How a Dietitian Can Help Mesothelioma Patients

A dietitian is the main resource for a patient’s mesothelioma diet and nutrition needs. They can provide help to patients undergoing mesothelioma treatment and mesothelioma survivors. They may recommend changes in diet to ease treatment side effects. Dietary changes can also help patients maintain a healthy weight and find their appetite, among other things. Diet recommendations may include eating nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables and high-protein, high-calorie foods.

Registered dietitians (RDs) are an important part of a cancer patient’s care team. A dietitian can work with and provide support to other team members. Many dietitians work at hospitals or cancer centers where patients receive treatment. This helps patients with mesothelioma cancer receive comprehensive care.

A dietitian will have scientific knowledge about diets and nutrition for cancer patients. They can recommend the best foods for a mesothelioma patient’s health. They can also provide information about which foods to avoid.

What Can Dietitians Do for Mesothelioma Patients?

  • Calculate protein and energy needs: A dietitian can calculate whether patients are getting enough protein and calories. They can then recommend foods to address any deficiencies.
  • Educate about food safety: Mesothelioma cancer and treatment can weaken the body’s immune system. This can make patients more susceptible to foodborne illness. A dietitian can explain food-safety measures to help patients avoid foodborne illness.
  • Help maintain a healthy weight: Patients may experience weight loss due to treatments such as chemotherapy. A dietitian can provide recommendations to help get patients up to a healthy weight.
  • Help navigate dietary limitations: Patients may have allergies, preferences or limited access to certain foods. They may also experience side effects caused by changing their diet. A dietitian can recommend substitutes to address these issues while maintaining good nutrition.
  • Provide meal-planning advice to caregivers: A dietitian is a resource for caregivers as well as patients. A dietitian can work with caregivers to plan meals for patients.
  • Provide nutritional advice to navigate treatment side effects: Dietary adjustments can help patients manage some mesothelioma treatment side effects. For example, certain foods may help maintain a healthy metabolism and manage malnutrition.
  • Provide information about vitamins and supplements: A patient may look to vitamins and supplements for nutrients. A dietitian can provide fact-based information about their benefits.

Cancer dietitians can work with patients on their nutrition during and after mesothelioma treatment. They will provide individualized care based on a specific patient’s needs. They can also answer any questions a patient has about diet and nutrition.

A patient’s dietary and nutritional needs can also change over time. A patient in treatment will likely have different dietary needs from one who is in recovery. A dietitian can help a patient adapt to these changes. A patient should not make changes to their diet before speaking to their dietitian or doctor.

02. How to Find a Dietitian

How Mesothelioma Patients Can Find the Right Dietitian

Dietitians are an important part of a mesothelioma patient’s health care team. For example, they can make recommendations that may help a patient ease side effects from treatments. For instance, chemotherapy and radiation can cause nausea and other side effects that dietary changes may help manage.

Mesothelioma doctors know that proper diet and nutrition are important for their patients. They can work with dietitians to help provide comprehensive care.

Hospitals and other medical facilities may have their own inpatient dietitians. A mesothelioma doctor can also provide a patient with a referral. This allows patients to see a dietitian at convenient locations, including:

  • A local hospital’s outpatient department
  • A local physician’s clinic
  • An RD’s practice near the patient’s home

The best dietitian for a person with mesothelioma will have experience working with cancer patients.

What Is the Difference Between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist?

Mesothelioma patients may wonder about the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist. While both deal with nutrition, there are important differences between the two.

  • Dietitians are part of a highly regulated profession. An RD has educational and clinical experience related to treating health conditions. They must also receive certification to practice. This makes RDs especially qualified to work with cancer patients.
  • Nutritionists are not as regulated as dietitians. Some states allow people without clinical experience or licensing to call themselves nutritionists. Some nutritionists, though, receive certification and have similar qualifications to dietitians. These are called Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS).

A doctor will likely recommend a mesothelioma patient work with a qualified RD or CNS. They can provide the best individualized care for cancer patients’ needs.

03. Nutrition Resources

Other Nutrition Resources for Mesothelioma Cancer Patients

Mesothelioma patients may also seek supplemental resources to manage their diet and nutrition. These resources can help patients and their loved ones by providing extra support. They can help answer patients’ questions, keep them organized and provide inspiration.

Dietitian Directories

A doctor may provide a referral to a dietitian. These directories may also help mesothelioma patients find qualified dietitians close to them:

Health Apps

These apps can help manage, organize and track elements of cancer care, including diet and nutrition:

Nutrition Books for Cancer Patients

These mesothelioma books provide information on nutrition for cancer patients. Some also offer recipe ideas for healthy eating:

Recipes for Cancer Patients

These websites provide recipes that cater to cancer patients in treatment and survivors. They focus on achieving better health through nutritious cooking:

Patients should still consult their dietitian before making any dietary changes. A dietitian is a cancer patient’s best resource for all their dietary and nutritional needs. A patient’s doctor may also be able to recommend additional resources.