Optimize Nutrition and Movement On the Go
Eating well while traveling can be challenging. You’re in a new place, away from your routine, and you might find portion control difficult if you’re ordering from a lot of restaurants or a hotel buffet. Try to be mindful of what you’re eating anyway, to better manage treatment side effects, improve your energy and muscle tone, and support your immune system.
Stay Hydrated
If you’re going to a warm climate or sitting on a plane, dehydration can sneak up on you. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water, and increase your intake on hot days or when you’re engaging in activities that increase your heart rate and leave you feeling breathless or sweaty.
Foote recommends avoiding contaminated sources of water that can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal illnesses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that factory-sealed bottled water is the safest option for drinking. You can also boil water for one minute to purify it or only use tap water that’s too hot to touch. If you choose to purify water by heating it, be sure to let it cool before use.
Stick to an Anti-Inflammatory Diet if Possible
Long-term studies have shown that an anti-inflammatory diet can improve survival for some people with cancer.
Chronic inflammation — an ongoing and unhealthy immune response to disease, illness, or injury — can play a role in cancer development. And while many nondietary factors can contribute to inflammation, eating meals rich in whole, healthy foods can help soothe your inflammatory responses over time.
If your cancer care team has advised that you stick to anti-inflammatory foods to support treatment, it’s important to follow their advice whenever you can. You may be keen to try new foods on your trip, but try to incorporate as many of the following items as possible.
- Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and kale
- Orange vegetables, including sweet potatoes and carrots
- Fruits
- Whole grains, such as quinoa and oats
- Lean proteins, including chicken and fish
- Healthy fats, such as those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil
- Coffee or tea
“Many people with gastrointestinal cancers can have diarrhea or difficulty digesting raw vegetables, so consider going with cooked vegetables,” suggests Foote. And while lean proteins are healthiest, he says, “eating some fattier meat every now and then is not a big deal.”
Get Moving
If you’re on a long plane ride or taking a tour bus around a new city, try to take as many movement breaks as possible to prevent blood clots. Stand up, stretch, and walk up and down the aisle if it’s safe to do so.
And try to add in some light exercise during your trip, whether it’s a walking tour or trying a local exercise class. Regular exercise can reduce fatigue.
But if you have a low white blood cell count during treatment, avoid using public swimming pools, lakes, and rivers, as well as public gym equipment, to reduce the risk of infection. Likewise, if you have a low red blood cell count, avoid vigorous exercise altogether. It’s also best to steer clear of heavy weight training during treatment.
Check in with your doctor before you travel to see whether activities like swimming will be suitable for you on your treatment plan.
Avoid Alcohol
Some people drink more alcohol than they usually would as a way to unwind while they’re on vacation. But it’s vital to talk to a cancer care professional before you do.
If you’re undergoing chemotherapy or taking other medications to treat colon cancer, alcohol can interact with some drugs and increase your risk of harmful adverse effects. Those who have developed mouth sores as a response to colon cancer treatment may also find that alcohol irritates or worsens them.
