A person who has been diagnosed with and is under treatment for renal cancer is at a risk for secondary cancer. Not only that, but renal cancer can also spread from the kidney and move to other organs. If they have had surgery, it is all the more important to take adequate care and preventive measures to not only avoid infection but also any further complications. Doctors always watch out for any additional impact by frequent screening and imaging tests. Apart from medication, a good diet can prevent the possibility of secondary and other cancers. As the kidney recovers from the effects of surgery and cancer, it will take some time for it to be able to function normally. Since diet impacts kidney directly, patients and caregivers have to ensure that the following food is avoided.

Sugar-rich foods

• Sugary tea and coffee, juices.
• Canned juice, if you are having fresh fruit juices, have it without sugar
• Canned fruits, even rinsing them does not remove the sugar completely.
• Fruit yogurt, smoothies or milkshakes that contain honey or sugar
• Carbonated, aerated, and soft drinks
• Ice cream
• Cakes, muffins, donuts
• Cookies, sweets
• Tarts and puddings
• Any sweetened fruit preservatives like jams and marmalades

Also, get into the habit of reading labels to avoid eating anything that contains any hidden sugar. If you see ingredients like sucrose, dextrose or corn syrup, they too should be avoided as they can increase your sugar levels. Once the medications are changed, you can gradually include sugar only on the advice of the doctor.

Salt-rich foods
Just like medication affects sugar levels, some medications contribute to the increase of sodium levels in the body. This causes water retention and increased blood pressure, both of which are conditions that can lead to complications for those recovering from surgery. Hence, to make sure that sodium levels remain stable, salt intake should be restricted. Avoid adding salt to food cooked at home. Other food items that are high in sodium are:

• Canned soup
• Canned broth
• Canned vegetables
• Pickled vegetables
• Pickle relish, any pickling salts, and items that contain monosodium glutamate
• Processed meat such as ham, bacon, sausage, salami, corned beef, canned meat and fish, and any processed meat
• Salted butter and cheese
• Instant and ready to eat food
• rackers, biscuits, chips, popcorn, salted nuts and seeds
• Flavoring agents like soup cubes or spice mixes
• Any readymade sauces and dips or condiments

Potassium-rich foods

It is one of the basic foods to avoid with renal cancer is anything high in potassium as it can cause problems with heart and muscle functions. Both, high and very low potassium levels in the body can affect the kidneys. Frequent and periodic blood examinations post renal cancer surgery is important to track the potassium levels. One has to make sure that the following food should be avoided since it contains high levels of potassium.

• Fruits like bananas, oranges, apricots, nectarines, and melons
• Dried fruits
• Juice of oranges, tomato, and prune
• Avocado
• Milk rich dairy products
• Nut and nut butters
• Chocolate
• Vegetables such as dark leafy vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes, and pumpkins
• Lentils and legumes

Going through the list one could feel that they do not have many options that are left for them, but this is untrue. The list can be easily followed if one stops eating out or consuming store-bought food. If you can cook once you regain strength, or have access to home-cooked food you should choose that. If you are dependent on store-bought or catered food, ensure that you buy low sodium or no sodium food and let your caterers know what should not be added to your meals.