By Q: When chemotherapy makes someone too nauseous to eat or drink, what will help?

A: Nausea and vomiting are not unusual after chemotherapy, especially the first few days. The American Institute for Cancer Research has a booklet with advice on dealing with this problem, like taking small amounts of food and drink at a time, and avoiding food odors by serving food cold or cooking mainly in the microwave. Studies show that ginger fights nausea and aids digestion. Some people chew on candied ginger from the “Oriental Foods” aisle, capsules and ginger tea are also effective. For a free copy of the cancer associations brochure, Nutrition of the Cancer Patient, call (800) 843-8114, ext. 64.

Q: Is rice fattening?

A: Plain cooked rice contains about 200 to 220 calories per cup and less than two grams of fat. Rice provides good nutrition without greatly increasing the calorie count. Unless you are very active, don’t succumb to oversized portions. Satisfy hunger by mixing or serving rice with a substantial portions of steamed or stir-fried vegetables.

Fried rice may contain 220 to 270 calories and 10 or more grams of fat..

Q: Could diet be related to a problem with hair loss?

A: Yes. A common reason for excessive hair loss in women is successive dieting. Hair loss can occur when calories are reduced too much or when intake of protein, iron or zinc is inadequate. That’s only one of the many reasons that it’s important to lose weight gradually, with sensible, balanced eating.

Q: Do the many versions of yogurt differ much in nutritional value?

A:

Odorless foods may help prevent nausea after chemotherapy

There are some very real nutritional differences to consider when deciding which yogurt is best for you. Calorie content can vary quite a bit, between yogurts that are plain, those sweetened with sugar and those sweetened with sugar substitutes. An 8-ounce container of regular, fruit-flavored yogurt contains the equivalent of almost seven teaspoons of added sugar. Some of that sugar comes from the fruit itself, but quite a bit is from added sugars. Those who are trying to limit their calorie or sugar intake may prefer vanilla yogurt or plain yogurt. Fat content can also vary. Non-fat and low-fat versions are both healthy choices. Some researchers also believe that choosing a yogurt with “active yogurt cultures” may offer addtional benefits to our digestive systems.

-By Karen Collins, a registered dietitian for the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Send your questions to “Nutrition-Wise,” c/o Town Crier, 1759 R St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009.