Due to the illness of my father who is 81 years old, known as skin cancer of the melanoma type detected a little more than three years ago, and due i am living with him, the issue of the diet is quite a topic . And it is that: "do not eat this and do not eat that", it has become a chaos for us, his children, who are involved in this implicit battle.
I must say, that we are in Venezuela, and the current situation of the country (shortage of food) limits so much any diet, since sometimes we do not know what or where to buy the ingredients for the food. On the other hand, his face of boredom at time of eating and his deteriorated appetite, we worry and lead to try to improve their quality of life. And we understand his boring face when he asks us : "i ll eat the same?" It's not about that we strive to prepare the best and most varied possible each dish .... These reasons, mainly, motivated me to write this post.
I can testify that my father has always been careful with food. No excesses of fat or sugar, many fresh vegetables, fruits and moderate portions (he looks good, he is thin and athletic). What for the most of people would be a pain, for him it is a menu of Eden Paradise. So, in my dad's case, Why should he be on a strict dieting ????
Most of you will think "doctors are the ones who know" ... Yes, I do not deny it, but my point is about strict compliance. I am of the opinion that there may be some flexibility in this regard. I think, for example, that give him a coffee with a little milk in some breackfast at mornin, or having a glass of orange juice once a week at lunch, will not bring greater repercussions to your illness. For me, it is enough with what it suffers, plus the inherent treatments and restrictions: to take pills (which is another issue currently in the country), to use sunscreen for the rest of his life, chemotherapy, among others, so that he can not indulge himself once in a while , to allow him a "small whim", as does he say?. I am convinced that YES, he can do it, without abuse, and, as I told before, occasionally.
I can add, finally, I can see a positive change in his attitude when we are more tolerant with him and and when he feels that we are consenting him also, and that makes him happy and takes away his discouragement, and consequently increases his defenses, excellent in cancer cases and in general of all diseases .... What do you think?