Tag: Radiation therapy diet

According to the National Cancer Institute, proper nutrition is a crucial part of cancer treatment, and many patients experience significant side effects during radiation therapy. This guide explores what foods help with radiation side effects, helping you maintain strength and manage symptoms effectively throughout your treatment journey.

Bananas contain naturally occurring, albeit tiny, amounts of the radioactive isotope Potassium-40 ($^{40}K$). However, this trace amount poses no health risk, and understanding the science reveals that bananas are indeed a highly beneficial part of a nutritious diet, even for those with specific health concerns like managing the side effects of radiation therapy.

According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, patients undergoing cancer treatment often burn more calories and require a nutrient-dense diet to maintain strength. For this reason, many oncology nutritionists recommend incorporating high-calorie and high-protein foods, including peanut butter, into a radiation patient's diet.

Most Americans eat roughly 28 pounds of bananas per person per year, making them one of the most popular fruits. For patients undergoing treatment, the question of can you eat bananas during radiation is a common one, and the answer is overwhelmingly positive, with bananas offering key nutrients and relief for common side effects like diarrhea and nausea.