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Good Nutrition Contributes to a Good Life.

Coping with changes in your eating habits may seem overwhelming, but eating the right foods before, during, and after your treatment contributes to your healing process. A healthy diet is important for:

Maintaining a healthy weight
Supplying the body with fuel and nutrients for repair and healing
Preventing recurrence of the cancer or the development of new cancer

Choosing a low-fat, plant-based diet has been proven to help the reduce risk for certain kinds of cancer.

General Diet Tips for Better Health

Less Red Meat

Eat more fish, lean poultry, and beans. Limiting red meats and heavily processed meats can reduce colon cancer risk.
More Fruits & Veggies

Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Aim for 2 servings of fruit and 3 servings of vegetables daily. These provide beneficial fiber and antioxidants, which can fight disease.
Whole Grains

Use whole grains such as whole wheat, bran and oat cereals, whole wheat bread, and brown rice. Even corn is a whole grain. Whole grains provide fiber and B-vitamins.

Low Fat Dairy

Use low fat dairy products including skim or 1% milk and yogurt. Reducing animal fat has been linked to decreased risk of disease.
Less Sodium

Cut back on salt and high sodium foods. Recent studies show a link between excess salt consumption and stomach cancer.

Your Personal Dietitian Will Work With You

Part of our cutting-edge care for cancer patients includes providing access to a certified oncology dietitian, specially trained to help maintain nutritional balance. First, you can meet with your dietitian for a private consultation. Then, your dietitian will listen to your individual circumstances and together you will create an individualized nutrition plan that adapts to your unique needs and goals.

Cooking Demonstrations

Learn how to make and bake healthy foods that support your treatment or recovery plan. Our oncology certified dietitians and guest speakers share fun and easy recipes while highlighting the nutritional benefits of each food. Cooking demonstrations also serve as support groups for attendees. Patients, survivors and caregivers come to learn a new skill and share their tips and tricks for staying healthy in the kitchen.

Special Nutrition Needs

Cancer and its treatments can sometimes cause nutrition-related side effects and concerns. Below is information on how to manage some of the more common nutritional concerns. We are here to help if you have questions on how to manage your nutrition needs.

Calcium Vitamin D for Bone Health

Diet for Constipation

Diet for Diarrhea

Increasing Calories & Protein

(Includes Recipes)

Nutrition During Chemotherapy

Meet Your Team

Our oncology dietitians, Beth Beckett and Mary Beth Peiffer, are available to help cancer patients and their families. Click below to learn more about Beth and Mary Beth.

Oncology Certified Dietitian

Beckett, Beth

RD, CSO, LD

Oncology Certified Dietitian

Bilitz, Chloe

Contact chloe.bilitz@unitypoint.org

News & Resources

Resources

View all the latest nutrition news and resources. VIEW ALL

Appointments

For rates and scheduling, please call (319) 558-4876. CALL NOW

Cooking Classes

Check our calendar to see upcoming cooking classes and demonstrations. SIGN UP

Nutrition Needs

Special Nutrition Needs.

LEARN MORE

Recipes

A collection of our most popular recipes from our dietitians. LEARN MORE

Not a Chef? Not a Problem.

Not sure how to prepare some of the foods your doctor is recommending? We’re here to show you how to get the nutrition you need from dishes you’ll love.

Check our calendar to see upcoming cooking classes and demonstrations.

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