Eating well is one of the best ways to support your body during leukaemia treatment. A high-fibre diet can make a real difference to your overall health. It keeps your gut healthy, helps manage treatment side effects, and supports your immune system. This is useful across all stages of leukaemia, especially when your body needs extra care.
What Is Fibre and Why Does It Matter
Fibre is the part of plant food that your body doesn’t digest. Fibre helps move waste through your system and keeps your digestion steady. There are two kinds of fibre: soluble and insoluble. Both play a role in keeping your stomach and gut in good shape. This is important for people in any of the stages of leukaemia since treatments often affect appetite and digestion.
Helps with Gut Health During Treatment
A healthy gut can handle treatments better. Fibre supports the growth of good bacteria in your gut. These bacteria help your body fight infection, especially when your immune system is weak. This can make recovery smoother and reduce the risk of other illnesses. Adding fibre can help you feel stronger through every stage of leukaemia.
Fibre Helps Manage Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chemotherapy often leads to constipation or stomach issues. High-fibre foods help reduce constipation and improve bowel movements, giving you one less thing to worry about during treatment. Drinking enough water is also important when you add more fibre. It helps your stomach handle the change better.
Choose the Right High-Fibre Foods
It’s better to eat fibre from whole foods instead of supplements.
Some good options are:
- Fruits like apples, pears, and berries
- Vegetables like carrots and broccoli
- Whole grains like oats and brown rice
- Beans, lentils, and chickpeas
- Nuts and seeds like chia or flaxseeds
Keep these foods fresh and clean, especially if your immunity is low. This helps reduce the risk of infection during sensitive periods of leukaemia treatment.
Don’t Forget Slip Slop Slap
Sun safety also matters while you manage your diet. Slip slop slap means you slip on protective clothing, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat. This method helps protect your skin, which may become sensitive during treatment. Many people in the stages of leukaemia have a weaker skin barrier. Slip slop slap is a simple way to avoid sunburn and skin damage.
How to Make Fibre Part of Your Daily Routine
Start small and add fibre slowly.
Your body needs time to adjust, especially during active treatment. You can:
- Add a spoon of chia seeds to your morning oats
- Swap white rice with brown rice
- Keep fruits as snacks instead of chips
These small changes can greatly impact your health without too much effort.
Conclusion
Managing your health during leukaemia is not just about treatment. Food plays a big role too. A high-fibre diet supports gut health, keeps your digestion smooth, and strengthens your body. It is helpful during all stages of leukaemia, especially when you face chemotherapy side effects. At the same time, don’t forget simple habits like slip slop slap to protect your skin and overall health. Eat smart, stay protected, and talk to your doctor before making big diet changes. Small steps can help your body feel better every day.