Kidney Cancer Diet Tips: Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid

Kidney cancer (also known as renal cancer) is a disease that causes cells in the kidney (those two bean-shaped organs in the lower abdomen) to become cancerous and grow out of control resulting in a tumor, says WebMD. Most of the time, this cancer first appears in the lining of tiny tubes (tubules) in the kidney which is known as renal cell carcinoma. Thankfully, in most cases, kidney cancer is found before it’s spread to other organs, and if caught early enough, it can be treated. However, there are cases where the tumors grow quite large before ever being detected.

We all need to take the proper measures to eat healthy and maintain a healthy bodyweight, but for people who are undergoing treatment for kidney cancer, this is especially important. Everyday Health points out that treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can take a huge toll on the body, mentally and physically, so to make sure your body is in the best shape it can to remain strong, we need to fuel it with the right food.

Here’s a breakdown of foods that kidney cancer patients should eat, what they shouldn’t, and a few tips and tricks in between.

1. Eat: Lots of Fruits and Vegetables

Obviously we should all be eating lots of fruit and vegetables, but for kidney cancer patients it’s even more important. Healthline explains that fruit and vegetables are great because they offer lots of soluble fiber, many essential vitamins and minerals, and are able to reduce cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. The source suggests aiming for anywhere between 5 to 10 servings of fruits and veggies everyday, and to get them from a variety of different sources.