I’m still waiting for the first person to come up to me and say, “Hey, Canswerman, what’s the recommended diet for a person with Multiple Myeloma.” It could be a long wait considering that less than 100 people even know there is a Canswerman, let alone that he is me. Regardless, the question deserves an answer.
Speaking exclusively from my personal perspective, especially in the beginning stages of my chemo rounds, I found it easier to eat a few small meals throughout the day, instead of the standard 3 squares. This was supplemented with light snacks like my all-time favorite peanut butter-filled pretzel nuggets; which are approved by my nutritionist.
But what should be avoided or increased? There really are no true good/bad foods associated with MM per se, and your individual reaction to certain fare is as bespoke as your treatment regimen. Fruits and veggies - rich in antioxidants, are always a good option. Many of your food choices are less about how they affect you and your MM, and more about how they affect you and your side effects from treatment.
You might find that you get a little "backed up" in your digestive system and regularity. This can come from the meds themselves or any opioid-based pain relievers that you may be prescribed. Here your friend is fiber to facilitate your "flow." Fruits (fresh or dried), whole grains and cereals like oatmeal, and veggies like broccoli, carrots or celery can loosen things up a bit. Of course, at the core of all of this is water, water, water.
By contrast, if life gets a little too loose (tummy turbulence is a very common side effect from chemo), you'll want to turn to the old tried and true BRAT menu: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. When dealing with the "Big D," it is very important to avoid dehydration, so as counterintuitive as it may seem to add more liquid to your system, that's exactly what you need to stay balanced (in and out).
In general, there really aren’t any particular foods that exacerbate MM, but you might want to be aware of how your system reacts to certain cuisine, and steer clear of that for a while. Raw meat, runny eggs, sushi or unwashed fruits and veggies; I wouldn't advise experimenting with any of these, but you also may be better able to tolerate them than others.
By all means, don't do anything without consulting with your Onc or Nutritionist (I am neither of these specialists), but be aware that there are some tips or tricks or treats that you can use daily to diminish the discomfort and manage the movement of your metabolism.
