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I know that sugar is a no-no. However, is it just refined sugar? What about organic sugar/organic cane juice? I know most doctors say you can eat anything, but I'm not operating on that premise. Thanks for any information.
Stevia and turbinado are natural sugars (raw) and these would be preferred. Take care, JC
We used Agave Nectar a lot to sweeten things.
This link might help - not so much with substitutions, but with the reasoning about why sugar is tricky.
http://www.cancerproject.org/ask/sugar.php
Organic sugar still is considered sugar. If you can sweeten things with fruit juices, that would help. Also, take a look at this link for some information on the research behind artificial sweeteners
http://www.cspinet.org/nah/05_04/sweet_nothings.pdf
Looks like Splenda is probably the safest as far as testing and research, according to this article, but then it was written several years ago, and some argue that CSPI doesn't always present the most balanced information.
Either way, in small amounts, artificial sweeteners are okay. I stay away from all of the artificial stuff mainly because I think it all tastes awful (I seem to have an extreme sensitivity to the taste and can ALWAYS pick it out in drinks and foods), and I try to minimize the amount of sugar I add into food, just because it's healthier for me. High sugar diets can cause a whole host of issues. There's a lot of heart disease in my family so I have to watch my weight and triglycerides, both of which are affected by sugar.
Hope that helps.
Amy
LCA
Thanks for your replies. We've been adding Agave to things, but right now I'm looking at a carton of organic vanilla yogurt. It has "naturally milled organic sugar". I'm guessing that it's not ok. Opinions???
"Naturally milled organic sugar" counts as sugar. Is that okay? I think this is a decision that really only you can make. As you saw in the first link I posted, there is some evidence that the insulin surge in the body caused by consuming sugar may increase cancer risk and impair survival, but there's no measure of how much is too much.
Some people cut sugar out completely and swear by it. Others don't change their diets at all and go on to live long and happy lives after their diagnosis and treatment. Only you can decide what's right for you.
I know that's probably not helpful. :-)
Amy
LCA
Every little bit of information helps us with decision making. Thanks, Amy.
What about Truvia? With that being all natural, would that make it no different than regular sugar?
Thanks, Holly
I just bought Stevia today. I'm not sure about Truvia, but I bet some people on here would know.
kkwv,
Thanks. I tried Stevia, couldn't do it, it was to bitter for me.
I thought they were made from the same plant, but truvia from the root, but I am probably wrong.
Holly
kkwv, I am new to this discussion group. Found it while researching info on my husband's chemo drugs. Have also been reading a lot of the "alternative" treatment books. They all say sugar should be avoided as well as all artificial sweetners. The odd thing, when my husband goes for his chemo treatments there are bowls of candy all over the place!! Am going to ask the onc about this when we see him next. We are using Splenda. Tried Stevia but found it bitter.
I guess I never paid the sugar thing any attention.
Maybe i should ???
Funny thing we worry about what we eat but if they say get a pet scan we run in and let them supercharge us with a radio active sugar high.
Crazy huh?
Greg
dsh65, what we have found is that most doctors don't know very much about nutrition. We have asked my husband's surgeon (at Mass General) and his oncologist about which foods to eat and which ones to avoid. Basically, they say he should eat anything he wants. However, from everything we've read, I can't agree with that. I know there should be a heavy emphasis on fruits and vegetables (organic if possible). If you read Anti-Cancer, a New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber, you'll find it to be very informative. The sugar issue has been a bit confusing, however, at least to us.
Thanks, kkwv, I will get this book. We are still pretty much in shock that this is even happening to us ..we are a bit over whelmed. I so want to go the alternative route, but my husband is participating in a clinical trial and wants to see it through. We have another CT scan on Monday with results coming on the 9th. When I see how badly this treatment is affecting him, I just know there has to be another way. I am forcing the fruits and veggies, but at this point I will give him what ever he wants just to get him to eat.
You're right that during chemo he should eat whatever he can tolerate. My husband's taste is still a little off (last chemo was 9/2), but it's getting better. He lived on Ensure, cut-up fruit, and ice cream. He also was ok with some soups and scrambled eggs at times. It's kind of hit or miss with this. With the chemo finished, we're trying to go the "healthy" route.
We were also in shock when he was diagnosed. You've come to the right place where you'll find some very supportive and knowledgeable people. Lots of luck to you both.
I was health freak before cancer. Since chemo, sugar is the only thing I crave. It is so strange because I never used to eat sugar or fast food - NOW, a pepsi helps with the nausea. And a McD's hamburger comforts me after 8 hours of chemo. Does anyone else have this issue?
Hi TamiO and others:
When I was first diagnosed with sclc and nsclc, I asked the nutritionist ab out sugar consumption. I was told it was a no-no. My first oncologist told me if I drank sodas and ate candy bars, I might as well as put a 357 magnum under my chin. Since then, I have been all kinds of answers--yes, no, it is a myth, there is no proof, and so on. I decided to simply stop consumption of regular sugar, except for my sodas and candy bars, and use a substitute. I did find lots of sugar free cookies and other sweets, which are actually pretty good. I eat these sometimes and still have a craving for regular ice cream.
I don't know if I have shortened my life, made my cancer worse, or something else. I am now 14 months into this disease; lung tumor has shrank; and liver tumor is basically status quo (a bit smaller than when first diagnosed). I am on 150 mg per day of Tarceva. Unfortuntely, I was just diagnosed with pneumonia; have no idea how this happened; and did not have many symptoms. Antibiotics for this.
Maybe I am pushing the envelope. A big Mac and coke sure sounds good right now. Today is Halloween and my house is full of candy--most of it I don't like, but look out Hershey bars.
Jim
When in doubt, leave it out ......
Refined sugar is bad. Period. No way around it! Especially for cancer patients. Why chance it? Most of us know what is healthy and what is not. We make excuses to rationalize what we crave. I have a HUGE sweet tooth and I treat myself now and then, but I know if I want to be as healthy as I can, I have to fight the craving to eat sweets daily.
Here's a recent article. I've read many articles that agree with this. Most oncologists only know about chemo, anything else they usually disregard as unimportant. It doesn't make it right.
http://www.cancerproject.org/ask/sugar.php
When I was a child, I remember my doctor telling my mother that chiropractors were witch doctors. Now they are pretty mainstream. Doctors tend to be very closed-minded about anything that is not their protocol.
Thanks, Alisa. That was a very clear answer. My wish is that medical schools will begin to put more emphasis on foods and alternative treatments. Nothing is perfect, of course, but we need to be open to exploring different types of treatments, not only drugs.
Yes, and I think the public is making the medical community more aware.
I do want to add that I have wonderful medical doctors also. My thoracic surgeon was excellent with a great bedside manner. My oncologists were also very caring. Although they admitted they were unsure about supplements and cancer, they agreed to work with Dr. Chang and didn't "dismiss" it completely.
Now, 9 years later, all my doctors tell me to continue with whatever it is I'm doing.
I've been using "Truvia" or "Purevia" instead of "refined sugar" because I was told it comes from the Stevia plant which would make this sugar a "natural sweetner". Also, the other day, I came across another sugar called "Ideal" that is a no calorie sweetner and says it is suitable for people with diabetes. I bought a box of it and it tastes just like sugar(not bitter). If you would like to check it out , their website is www.idealsweet.com. I haven't done any research on it so if you happen to find something wrong with it, please let me know. Take care. Karen
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