Good nutrition is important to give your body fuel and energy, including the energy to fight a health condition and to heal. Hippocrates put it this way: "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food."

One of the best things you can do for your body is to eat at least five servings each day of fruits and vegetables. Many substances found in this food group help with healing and may help prevent illness and recurrence. 

It may help to:

• Think of every bite you eat as an investment in your health. At the same time, keep in mind that we're all human. A reasonable amount of comfort foods is okay.
• Think of food as fuel. You wouldn't put anything less than good fuel in your car. Your body is even more complicated than your car and needs good fuel to run well. (Some people have been known to refer to food as "fuel" rather than "food."  It helps them eat better.)
• Think of food as part of a medical regimen - you have to do it regularly for it to be beneficial.
• Keep in mind that only superman or superwoman can change a lifelong diet overnight. 
• Forget what you have not done about your diet in the past. It is the past and is over. The key is what you do today.
• Find nutritious options within on the foods you like, that your family eats, and foods that are part of  the cultural tradition in which you feel most comfortable.

There is no single best diet. Instead, there are basic rules of good nutrition. 

Virtually every illness has its own nutritional requirements. Learning about the requirements of your illness can help you make the wisest food choices. Consider consulting with a nutritionist or dietitian about your individual circumstances and needs.

Consider the following tips:

• If you have difficulty swallowing, try recipes for easy-to-swallow foods. Foods can be easy to swallow, and taste good.
• Supplements do not substitute for fruits and vegetables. While they may contain some features of fruits and vegetables, we don't know which ingredients are the most important. 
• Go through your food cabinets and refrigerator. Dump the food that is not healthy. You will be less tempted if foods are not nearby.
• Change your routine. For instance:
  • Be sure you get the fruit you need each day by keeping a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter or adding two pieces of fruit to your work area (and making sure they are gone at the end of the day).
  • Make it a rule to have two vegetables with lunch and dinner.

You can find free nutrition information and data tracking tools at web sites such as: www.nutritiondata.com . Also check out:

• American Dietetic Association www.eatright.org
• Office of Dietary Supplements -- U.S. National Institutes of Health http://odp.od.nih.gov/ods/

While we are preparing our own in depth information about this subject, the other sections of this document provide links to basic nutrition information by disease.

NOTE:

• If you are in treatment, or if you have unique issues relating to your health status, you need to gain or lose weight, are diabetic or have other health issues requiring diet modifications:
  • Talk with your doctor. Even if you know a lot about food and nutrition, you are likely to learn something that relates to your condition or treatment. 
  • Also consider speaking with a registered dietitian/nutritionist who specializes in working with people with life changing conditions. For information about dietitians, including how to find one, click here. 

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