Patient Information

Nutrition During Cancer Treatment

Good nutrition is needed to provide additional calories and protein for the body to repair itself from the effects of treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Well-nourished people have an easier time tolerating their cancer treatments, less side effects, better wound healing, fewer infections and are able to be more active during treatment. Click on the symptom below for tips on how to manage with diet:

Basic Suggestions

Drink enough fluids. Take your current weight in pounds and divide by two. This is approximately the amount of fluid you need each day in ounces.

Get enough calories. Calorie needs vary a great deal from person to person. In general, if your weight is stable, it is safe to assume that you are meeting your calorie needs. If you are losing more than a few pounds during treatment, you are not getting enough calories.

Get enough protein. Like calories, protein needs are different for each person. If you notice you are losing weight and/or muscle tone, or if your physician says your blood proteins are too low, you are not getting the protein you need. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy all cause some degree of damage to body tissues. Protein helps to build and repair new and damaged tissue.

Taste Changes. Medications, radiation and chemotherapy can all affect how foods taste. Although taste changes are usually temporary, they can decrease your appetite and lead to weight loss.

Experiment by tasting a variety of foods to see which foods taste best. Sometimes foods you don’t ordinarily like suddenly taste good.

Unwanted Weight Loss. Cancer treatment can cause weight loss by causing taste changes, loss of appetite and nausea. Eat more high calorie foods, such as peanut butter, whole milk, ice cream, olives, nuts, fruit smoothies and milkshakes.

Constipation. Some medications, particularly opioid pain medicines used during treatment, can cause constipation.

Drink plenty of liquids every day. Most people need a minimum of ½ oz per pound of body weight. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, you need 90 oz per day, or 11. 5 cups.

Diarrhea. Diarrhea needs to be controlled to limit losses of water and nutrients, such as potassium and sodium. Eliminate greasy, high-fat, spicy and fried foods. Restrict milk and milk products to see if symptoms improve.

Sore Throat / Mouth. Radiation and some types of chemotherapy can cause a sore mouth and/or throat. In severe cases, a tube is placed in the stomach or intestines temporarily for feedings. To ease throat pain, choose soft foods and swallow liquids with each bite.

Nausea / Vomiting. Nausea and/or vomiting may result in eating less, therefore weight loss. Eat small, frequent snacks every 1-2 hours with bland, starchy foods such as crackers, rice, potatoes or pretzels. Include sips of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Unwanted Weight Gain. Weight gain can occur for many reasons. Some medications prescribed, such as antidepressants, can affect weight. Since your appetite and taste for food may have improved since you ended treatment, you may be eating more food than you used to without realizing it.

Keep a food journal to identify potential problem eating behaviors. Record what you eat each day and why. You may find you are not eating out of hunger, but rather boredom, emotional reasons or simply because it tastes good and you can!

Poor Appetite. A poor appetite can result from cancer treatments, medications and the disease itself.  Surround yourself with family or friends at meal time to make eating more enjoyable.  Try to eat small amounts of food five or six times per day, instead of three large meals.  If weight loss is a problem, talk to your physician or dietitian about medications to help your appetite.

Heartburn / Reflux. Heartburn can be caused by diet, smoking, medications or certain conditions, such as acid reflux disease. Try to reduce acidic and spicy foods, such as Mexican and Chinese dishes, Tabasco sauce, onions, tomatoes, citrus fruits and juices, and foods soaked in vinegar.

Difficulty Swallowing. If swallowing is painful, try eating softer foods at room temperature.  If you are choking or coughing when eating, tell your dietitian, nurse or physician as soon as possible.  You may be referred to a speech therapist, who can help improve your swallowing safely.