Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Essential Diet and Nutrition Guidelines

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in supporting your body throughout CML treatment. Adopting certain eating habits can also help manage side effects like reduced appetite.

Nutrition Strategies for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Treatments for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) often impact how you feel physically, causing fatigue and weakening your immune defenses.

Maintaining a nutritious diet that includes protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is crucial to provide your body with the essential nutrients needed during this time.

Ensuring adequate calorie and nutrient intake before, during, and after treatment can improve your overall well-being.

Why Prioritize Nutrition During CML Treatment?

Cancer therapies frequently alter taste and appetite, making it challenging to enjoy familiar foods.

Side effects such as nausea, appetite loss, and digestive changes can hinder proper nutrition, yet your body requires additional energy to endure treatment.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) highlights the increased need for protein and calories during and following cancer therapy.

Moreover, blood cancer treatments like those for CML may reduce white blood cell counts and damage the gut lining, elevating infection risks.

Thus, consuming nutritious foods safely is essential.

Recommended Foods During Treatment

Dietary changes are common during cancer treatment and can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, and muscle depletion.

To maintain weight and strength, it’s important to consume balanced amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, alongside staying well hydrated.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) recommends including:

• Diverse vegetables, including legumes
• Whole fruits
• Whole grains
• Low-fat or fat-free dairy
• Various protein sources such as seafood, lean meats, poultry, beans, soy, and eggs
• Healthy fats like olive oil
• Hydrating beverages like water, tea, or coffee (decaffeinated options if digestive issues occur)

The NCI suggests gentle-on-the-stomach options for symptoms like nausea or diarrhea, including:

• Avocado
• Canned fruits
• Tender beef cuts
• Mild cheeses
• Eggs
• Skinless chicken or turkey
• Broiled or poached fish
• Nut butters
• Plain yogurt
• Well-cooked vegetables

For constipation or weight gain, high-fiber foods such as bran muffins, dried fruits, whole grain cereals, broccoli, spinach, and sweet potatoes may help.

Conversely, low-fiber foods like refined cereals, fish, noodles, vegetable juice, string beans, and mushrooms can ease diarrhea.

Consulting a dietitian can tailor nutrition plans to your unique needs during treatment and recovery.

Neutropenic Diet Considerations for CML

Neutropenia, or low neutrophil count, can arise from CML treatments, weakening immune defenses.

To minimize infection risk, follow strict food safety practices by avoiding:

• Raw vegetables
• Most uncooked fruits except those with thick peels like bananas or citrus
• Raw or undercooked meats and fish
• Raw or partially cooked eggs
• Foods from salad bars or deli counters
• Soft, mold-ripened cheeses such as brie, blue cheese, Camembert, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton
• Unboiled well water
• Unpasteurized dairy products

While a formal neutropenic diet lacks universal guidelines and proven benefits, adhering to safe food handling is critical.

Foods to Avoid During Treatment

To reduce infection risk, avoid raw or undercooked foods if neutropenic.

If experiencing diarrhea, limit intake of:

• High-fiber foods
• High-sugar foods
• Greasy or fatty foods
• Dairy products
• Spicy foods
• Sugar-free items containing xylitol or sorbitol

Some supplements, like St. John’s wort, may interfere with medications; consult your healthcare provider before use.

Practical Tips to Ease Eating During Treatment

CML treatment side effects such as nausea and mouth sores can reduce appetite and make eating difficult.

The NCI suggests:

• Eating smaller, more frequent meals (4–6 per day)
• Using nutrient-rich liquids like soups, juices, and shakes if solid foods are challenging
• Staying hydrated with water, ginger ale, or clear liquids to ease nausea
• Boosting calories by blending foods with cream or gravy
• Choosing tender or soft foods
• Experimenting with recipes to accommodate altered taste
• Seeking help with shopping and meal prep

A cancer-specialized dietitian can offer personalized guidance to optimize nutrition.

Food Safety Practices for CML Patients

Maintaining food safety is crucial during cancer treatment when immune function is compromised.

Key tips from the LLS include:

Proper Food Storage

• Check expiration dates before consumption
• Refrigerate perishable or cooked foods within 2 hours
• Consume leftovers within 3 days

Safe Food Preparation and Cooking

• Wash hands thoroughly before, during, and after food prep
• Rinse fruits and vegetables before peeling or eating
• Remove damaged parts of produce
• Discard outer leaves of leafy greens
• Use separate utensils and dishes for raw and cooked foods
• Thaw frozen meats safely in the fridge or microwave
• Cook meats, poultry, and fish to recommended temperatures using a thermometer

Maintaining Kitchen Cleanliness

• Keep counters, cutting boards, and utensils clean
• Wash dish towels and sponges regularly to prevent bacterial growth
• Clean surfaces that contact raw meats thoroughly

Separating foods during preparation helps prevent cross-contamination.

Summary

While nutrition alone does not treat cancer, a balanced and safe diet supports your body’s strength and recovery during CML treatment.

Always consult your healthcare team or a dietitian for personalized nutrition advice tailored to your treatment plan.

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