The document discusses supportive nutrition care for cancer patients. It emphasizes adopting a peaceful relationship with food by reducing stress and focusing on overall nourishment rather than specific foods. InspireHealth's nutrition team provides personalized and group resources to help cancer patients manage nutritional challenges from treatment side effects and develop a balanced mindset around eating.

1. Towards a Peaceful Relationship
with Food during a Journey with
Cancer
Erin Roman, RD
Nutrition Team Lead
InspireHealth
Supportive Cancer Care

2. InspireHealth
Supportive Cancer Care
•We support people with cancer - or those at
high genetic risk - and their families to play an
active role in their own care.
•Our programs and services emphasize
evidence-based lifestyle approaches that
support quality of life for adults with cancer.

3. InspireHealth
• Not-for-profit charity founded in 1997.
• Partially funded by BC Ministry of Health.
• We rely on donations from the community to
provide our classes & programs.
Vancouver
Virtual
Centre
KelownaVictoria

4. InspireHealth’s Clinical Team
• Physicians (MD, CCFP)
• Clinical Counsellors (Masters level)
• Exercise Therapists (Kinesiologists)
• Registered Dietitians & Nutritionists

5. Cancer-Based Model
• Surgery
C
Chemotherapy
Radiation
DOCTOR
PATIENT
Surgery

6. Supportive Cancer Care Model
• SurgerySELF  C
Chemotherapy
Radiation
Emotional and Spiritual Support
Stress Reduction
Sleep & Rest
Exercise
Nutrition
Mind-Body Practices
PERSON
Health Professionals
Surgery

7. Nutritional Considerations
• Side effects of medications and treatments
• Supporting energy and immune function
• Supporting protein/energy needs and
requirements before/during/after treatment
or surgery
• Specific nutrient and dietary requirements
• Biopsychosocial factors

8. Whydo we eat?

9. Our Relationship with Food
• History of food relationship
• Trust in our bodies and food
• “Dr. Google”
– 586 MILLION, 870 MILLION
• Clinical and supportive care
“Eating serves not only to ensure the intake of energy and
nutrients but has an important role in maintaining
psychological balance by providing pleasure.”

10. Stress and Nutrition
• Immune function
• Digestive System
– Appetite
– Digestive Functions
– GI System Inflammation

11. • Stress can affect our food choices and our
food choices may also affect our stress levels
• “trying to make perfect food choices often
leads to stress.”

13. Benefits of Supportive Nutrition Care
• Time
• Exploration
• Openness
• Appropriateness of messaging
• Stress reduction strategies
• Interdisciplinary approach
• Consistent follow-up if necessary
• Appropriate referral

15. Supportive Nutrition Guidelines
• Adding more foods, not less
• Blood sugar regulation
• Incorporating healthy fats, nutrient-dense foods,
fibre, protein choices
• Hydration
• Focus on overall nourishment
• Kindness
• Reach out for 1 on 1 support
• Asking for help from friends and family

16. Towards Creating Peace with Food
• Emotional eating is normal
• Move away from good/bad foods – 80/20
• Notice how food is making you feel
• You are more than what you eat
• Finding joy in food
• Talk to yourself like you would your best friend
• When and if possible, eat with others

19. Available Nutrition Resources At
InspireHealth
✓ 75 minute personal appointment
✓ 45 minute follow-up sessions as needed
✓ Cooking Classes
✓ Nutrition Workshops
✓ Online Resources
eroman@inspirehealth.ca
Thank You!

20. References
• Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of
stress on body function: A review: EXCLI J. 2017; 16: 1057-1072
• Udonwa, RE. Inah, G.M. Impact of stress on nutrition and productivity.
International Journal of Nursing and Health Related Cases Vol.1, No.2,
pp.41-53, September 2015
• Chang YM, El-Zaaatari M, Kao JY. Does stress induce bowel dysfunctin?.
Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatoi. 2014
• J. Arends. Struggling with nutrition in patients with advanced cacner:
nutrition and nourishment – focusing on metabolism and supportive care,
Annals of Oncology, Vol. 29, 2018

21. Canadian Cancer Survivor Network
Contact Info
1750 Courtwood Crescent, Suite 210
Ottawa, ON K2C 2B5
Telephone / Téléphone : 613-898-1871
E-mail: jmanthorne@survivornet.ca or info@survivornet.ca
Website: www.survivornet.ca
Twitter: @survivornetca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CanadianSurvivorNet
Instagram: @survivornet_ca
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/survivornetwork/