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Weight Gain with Cancer Treatment

Sometimes patients gain weight with cancer treatments. This weight gain
may be caused by some medicines, hormone therapy or chemotherapy.
Some medicines cause the body to retain water. Talk to your doctor if you
notice any weight gain.

Do not go on a weight loss diet without talking to your doctor first. Your
doctor or dietitian will help you plan ways to manage your weight gain.
Eating healthy meals and drinking liquids will help your feel better during
treatment.

Try these tips to manage weight gain:

• Choose lean cuts of meat such as chicken, turkey, fish and lean beef.

• Choose low fat dairy products such as skim milk, 1% milk, and low fat or

fat free cottage cheese or yogurt.

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

• Avoid high fat, high calorie snacks such as chips, cookies, candy and ice

cream. Instead, snack on graham crackers, dried fruit or popcorn.

• Avoid using added fats such as salad dressings, margarine, butter,

mayonnaise and gravy. Use low fat versions.

• Use low fat cooking methods such as broiling, baking and steaming to

cook foods. Use nonstick pans so that no added fat is needed.

• Stay active and exercise to burn off the extra calories and help you feel

better.

Talk to your doctor, nurse or dietitian about dealing with any eating

roblems you may have.

5/2006. Developed through a partnership of The Ohio State University Medical Center, Mount Carmel
Health and OhioHealth, Columbus, Ohio. Available for use as a public service without copyright
restrictions at www.healthinfotranslations.com.