UNINTENTIONAL WEIGHT LOSS REFERS TO WEIGHT LOSS THAT OCCURS WITHOUT DIETING. This can happen for a number of reasons: some types of cancer and cancer treatment may increase your overall nutritional needs, you might not feel hungry or have any desire to eat, or you are experiencing challenging side effects from treatment. Maintaining your weight can be difficult in the face of any of these issues. Even if you are overweight, weight loss during cancer treatment can increase fatigue, decrease your strength, affect your immune system, lengthen recovery times, and decrease your quality of life. Unintentional weight loss during this time usually reflects a loss of muscle rather than fat, which can place you at higher risk for malnutrition and can affect your ability to carry out normal daily activities.

If you are trying to prevent weight loss, maintain your weight, or gain weight, it is important to talk with your health care team to get help. You may need to find ways to increase both calories and protein in your diet. This often means choosing calorie- and protein-rich foods or adjusting recipes by adding extra protein or higher-calorie alternatives. For example, one of the first recipes in this chapter is for Fortified Milk, which can be used in recipes in place of regular milk to add calories and protein. You may also need to eat more frequently: if you can eat more often throughout the day, even if it’s a small amount at a time, it will be easier to prevent weight loss.

Here are some ideas to help you increase the amount of calories and protein in your diet:

  Eat five to six small meals or snacks a day, or try to eat a little something every two to three hours.

  Try to choose nutritious snacks that are high in calories and/or protein, such as trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, granola, hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter or other nut butters, hummus, cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese, and canned tuna or chicken.

  Try smoothies, milk shakes, or nutritional supplements or bars to add more calories and protein to your diet.

  If you get full quickly, try sipping your liquids between meals so that you are not so full at meal times.

  Eat your favorite foods any time of the day.

  Adding higher-calorie foods such as sour cream, cream cheese, whipped cream, butter, and gravy may be helpful in the short term to avoid further weight loss. Many favorite recipes can be easily altered to increase the amount of calories and protein they contain.

  Try eating when you are the hungriest—for many people, this is in the morning.

  Do not limit yourself to traditional meals when it comes to what and when you eat. It is perfectly okay to have breakfast food for lunch or supper for breakfast.

  Ask friends and family for help with shopping and making meals and snacks to help keep you stocked with things to eat and drink.

If you are trying to gain weight or prevent weight loss, the goal should simply be to eat as many healthful calories and protein-rich foods as possible, as well as to enjoy eating as much as you can. It is important to note that weight fluctuations are typical. You may lose weight and have a relatively poor appetite the week after chemotherapy, but gain most or all of it back before your next treatment.

Be sure to tell your health care team if you have changes in your weight. If your weight loss is accompanied by a poor appetite, your doctor may prescribe medicine to help stimulate your appetite and improve your food and beverage intake.

CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IN THESE SITUATIONS:

  You have weight loss of three or more pounds in one week.

  You have ongoing weight loss without trying.

For more information about managing unintentional weight loss, visit the American Cancer Society website at cancer.org or call 800-227-2345.