Define Carbohydrate requirement for cancer patients?
Adequate amount (60% of total energy) of carbohydrates should be provided. If a very high calorie diet is being given, emphasis may be required on the incorporation of easy-to-digest carbohydrates (mono/disaccharides and starches) so as to make the meals small in volume and energy dense. The fibre intake may need to be curtailed if the patient is suffering from cancer of the gastrointestinal tract or digestive disturbances. However, some patients may experience hyperglycemia. In such situations inclusion of food particularly those which are rich in soluble fibre (pulses and legumes) would be helpful.