Nutrition has a crucial role in cancer recovery, and among the various nutrients, protein stands tall as a key player. This is particularly important in the child with cancer as protein is essential for growth, tissue repair, and overall bodily function. This blog explores the role of protein in healing and recovery during cancer treatment, highlights the best protein sources for children with cancer, shares creative ideas for incorporating more protein into meals and snacks, and concludes by emphasizing the importance of protein in the diet of a child with cancer.

The Role of Protein in Healing and Recovery During Cancer Treatment

The body undergoes significant stress during cancer and its treatment. Cells get damaged, and normal physiological processes are disrupted due to the effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries. Protein, which is a macronutrient, serves as the body’s building block for tissues, muscles, enzymes, and hormones. 

Protein:

• Supports tissue repair: Cancer and its treatment regimens like chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can breakdown body cells and muscles. Protein helps build and repair tissues and muscles.

• Maintains immune function: Adequate protein intake helps preserve immune health, which is crucial as cancer and its treatments can weaken the immune system,making the child susceptible to infections. Protein is particularly important for producing antibodies, which are essential for the immune response that fights against infection causing microbes.

• Promotes muscle mass maintenance: Chemotherapy and prolonged illness can lead to muscle wasting and as a consequence leads to frailty. Sufficient protein intake can help maintain muscle mass, physical strength, and overall energy levels, which are important for children who need to stay active and resilient during their treatment. This also help improve their overall quality of life.

• Helps growth and development: Children are at the most active growth phase of their lifetime. During cancer, protein not just helps the body heals but also helps build muscle, bone and increase blood formation to help the child grow both mentally and physically. Protein intake should be carefully monitored and adjusted according to individual needs, aiming for higher levels during cancer treatment to assist with recovery and support growth.

Best Protein Sources for Children with Cancer

Incorporating high-quality protein sources into the diet is essential for children with cancer. Here are some of the best options:

Plant-Based Proteins:

• Legumes and beans (Dals, chickpeas, rajma, soya bean, sprouts): These are excellent sources of protein and fiber and can be included in soups, curries, chapathis, and salads.

• Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds offer healthy fats along with protein. These nuts can also be ground into butters which can then be added to make snacks more nutritious. 

Dairy Products:

• Curd and Paneer: Curd and paneer provide high amounts of protein per serving alongwith bone healthy calcium and phosphorous. These are also options that can be explored when the child is lactose intolerant or cannot tolerate milk due to treatment side-effects. 

• Milk and cheese: These are options that provide energy and protein and can be consumed as is or incorporated into different recipes.

Animal Proteins:

• Meats like chicken, lamb and goat provide high quality protein and essential nutrients like iron and B vitamins.

• Fish like mackerel, pomfret, prawns provide protein in abundance. Fatty fish like surmai also provide omega 3 fats alongwith a good dose of protein.

• Eggs are rich in protein and also provide choline, a liver healthy nutrient.

Protein Supplements: Protein powders are particularly helpful in children unable to eat or with loss of appetite due to the disease or treatment side-effects.

Creative Ways to Add More Protein to Meals and Snacks

Making a child eat protein foods during cancer treatment can be challenging, especially if they are struggling with low appetite or taste changes. Here are some practical and child-friendly ideas to boost protein intake:

Smoothies, Lassis and Shakes: Blend curd or milk, and nut butter with fruits like banana or mango to make delicious, protein-rich smoothies. Adding a small scoop of protein powder if prescribed by a nutritionist can also help boost the protein content of smoothies. Adding ground nuts and seeds can further increase the nutritional value.

Fortify Dishes with Protein: Boost the protein content of commonly eaten dishes by adding protein rich ingredients. For eg. powdered milk to soups, dal, or khichdi. Mixing boiled dals or pulse powders into rice or roti dough can increase the protein content without altering the flavor too much. Paneer and tofu can also be grated into paratha and chapathi dough. A blend of different roasted pulse powders can also be cooked with milk and made into a high protein porridge suitable for breakfast times.

Protein high Snacks: Cheese and paneer cubes, boiled eggs, hung curd dipping sauce with sliced vegetables make excellent high protein snacks. Roasted chana (gram) or steamed sprouts chaat can also serve as high-protein snacks that are tasty and easy to pack when traveling. Paneer and tofu can also be added to vegetable cutlets and kebabs to increase the protein content.

Egg-Based Meals: Scrambled egg dishes like akuri or fried rice with scrambled eggs, omelets with cheese, and egg-based dishes like bread dipped in eggs and toasted are protein-dense options that can work for breakfast or snacks. 

Addressing Common Challenges with Protein Intake During Treatment

During cancer treatment, children face various challenges which arise due to side-effects of treatment or the disease itself that can impact protein consumptions. These challenges include:

• Loss of Appetite: Nausea, pain, and fatigue often lead to reduced desire to eat. Offering smaller, more frequent meals rather than larger portions can help.

• Changes in Taste and Smell: Treatments can alter how food tastes. Utilizing mild, flavorful seasonings or offering food at different temperatures can improve acceptability.

• Heightened Sensitivity to Odors: Cancer treatment can cause children to have a heightened sense of smell. Protein powders especially can have a noticeable smell that can be off-putting to children undergoing cancer treatment. Choose supplements that are odourless or mild smelling. Protein supplements may also need to be rotated regularly, helping maintain the child’s interest and ensuring consistent intake.

• Mouth Sores: Some treatments cause oral discomfort, making it difficult to eat. Soft foods like smoothies, yogurt, and soups can minimize discomfort while still providing essential nutrients.

• Food Aversions: Some children develop aversions to certain foods due to nausea or other treatment side effects. Offering mild, familiar foods like plain dals, paneer, and eggs can make it easier for them to consume adequate protein. Fortifying these familiar foods also help increase acceptability and protein intake.

• Digestive Issues: Cancer treatment can sometimes lead to digestive discomfort. Softer, gentler protein sources like boiled eggs, curd, and boiled moong dal  are easier on the stomach.

In conclusion, incorporating adequate amounts of high-quality protein sources into the diets of pediatric cancer patients is crucial for supporting their recovery process. The goal is to ensure adequate protein intake in a way that’s acceptable and comfortable for the child, focusing on minimizing aversions and supporting their nutritional needs during recovery. It is important to seek the advice of qualified pediatric oncology nutritionists to further enhance dietary strategies and adapt it to every child’s specific nutritional needs.