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Starting cancer treatment can bring strong emotions, such as hope and anxiety. Adding to the challenge, some types of cancer treatments come with side effects that may make you feel worse before you feel better.
One of the best ways to manage treatment side effects is through your diet. Plus, a well-balanced diet can even make cancer treatment more effective, according to the American Cancer Society.
But food choices matter. Some foods make treatment work better and can lessen side effects, while other foods can make your symptoms worse. Diet is also important because you’ll need to get enough energy from your food to help your body fight the cancer cells.
Below, we cover some general guidelines to keep in mind during treatment for cancer.
The best foods for cancer patients (and why nutrition matters during treatment)
What and how much you eat makes a huge difference in how you feel. This can be especially true for people receiving cancer treatment. If you don’t get proper nutrition, your body will have less energy to fight the cancer.
An anti-cancer diet can help improve energy levels, manage weight, strengthen the immune system and reduce side effects. However, a big challenge for many people is that the treatment’s side effects can make it harder to eat the same volume of food as before. Your main diet goal during treatment is to get enough energy. So a good diet focuses on density, eating foods that are high in calories, protein or nutrients. Here are some foods that can be helpful during cancer treatment:
Healthy fats
Fats are a concentrated source of calories and energy, which is extremely helpful for people who experience fatigue and weight loss during treatment. Whenever possible, choose healthy fats that are low in saturated fat (such as olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocados).
Healthy fats help reduce inflammation, which supports your immune system in healing and fighting infections. This is important because inflammation can worsen treatment side effects such as fatigue or nausea.
Healthy fats can also improve cardiovascular health. This matters because chemotherapy drugs can put extra strain on the heart, and heart problems are the leading cause of death in the United States each year (with cancer second).
Lean animal proteins and plant-based proteins
Protein helps to repair your body’s tissues and can help you maintain muscle mass. Plus, since protein supports the immune system, it can help treatment work better. In short, it’s important to get enough protein and there are several good options.
Plant-based proteins – Tofu, soy, beans and legumes are very nutrient-rich, making them a great choice. Nut butters, including peanut butter and almond butter, are another possible protein source.
Lean animal proteins – Lean meats like chicken or fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, cheese and milk are also good sources of protein.
Protein bars or shakes – If you’re struggling to get enough protein, protein shakes and supplements can be a good option. Your cancer care team can make recommendations about supplements and shakes.
Whole grains
All carbohydrates are a great source of energy. In fact, they’re your body’s main source of fuel.
Whole grains (such as whole wheat, bran and oats) are a source of carbohydrates that do more than supply energy. These grains are rich in vitamins, minerals, and soluble and insoluble fiber that help strengthen the immune system and reduce treatment-related inflammation.
Whole grains also slow the digestion process and nourish the good bacteria in your gut. Getting enough fiber can be especially important for people with cancer if treatment is causing diarrhea or constipation.
Fluids
It’s important to drink plenty of fluids, especially when you don’t have much of an appetite. Water, broth, juice, milk, milk alternatives, sports drinks and protein shakes can all count toward your liquid intake, while providing some extra calories and nutrients.
Dehydration is common with treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These procedures can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and trouble swallowing that lead to dehydration. When your body isn’t well hydrated, it’s more difficult for it to work properly and support your recovery from cancer, so make sure you’re getting plenty to drink.
Other nutrient-dense foods
Nutrient-dense foods are high in nutrients but comparatively low in calories. Great sources of nutrient dense foods include:
Fruits and vegetables – Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables can help you get the nutrients you need. The antioxidants they contain are also good for supporting your immune system. Examples include berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, dark green leafy vegetables like kale, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower.
Foods and fluids fortified with vitamin D – Good choices for vitamin D are milk, orange juice, yogurt and cereal. Vitamin D is crucial because it supports bone health and immune function, as well as helps to manage cell growth. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation.
Vitamin supplements – It may be helpful to take a multivitamin or vitamin D supplement, especially if you’re eating less or have side effects, such as vomiting or diarrhea. But make sure you talk to your cancer care team before adding vitamins or supplements to your diet.
Foods to limit or avoid during cancer treatment
Some foods may be unsafe during cancer treatment or make symptoms worse. Here’s what to avoid:
Foods that carry a risk of foodborne illness
Cancer and cancer treatments can weaken the immune system, so foods that carry a risk of foodborne illness should be avoided. These include:
Raw or undercooked meat, fish and seafood
Eggs that aren’t cooked all the way through
Unpasteurized dairy products and juices
Unwashed produce
Foods that make you feel worse
Depending on the type of cancer and treatment, there may be foods that are difficult to eat or make you feel worse. Some of these include:
Foods and drinks with strong smells or flavors – Can increase nausea symptoms related to chemotherapy.
Foods that are spicy, salty, hard or crunchy – May not be easy or enjoyable to eat if you have a dry mouth or swelling in your throat.
Citrus, tomatoes and raw vegetables – May cause discomfort if you have mouth sores.
Alcohol – It’s best to avoid or limit alcohol during cancer treatment. Alcohol can make the side effects of treatment worse and may interfere with the effectiveness of medications.
Diet and nutrition tips during cancer treatment
What to eat during cancer treatment is ultimately a personal choice. But a wisely chosen cancer diet can help give you energy, manage side effects, and help you heal faster and feel better as you go through treatment. Here are things you can do to keep your body nourished:
1. Create a cancer treatment diet plan before beginning treatment
What you eat during treatment will depend on a few important things, like your health and symptoms. Here are some things to keep in mind as you get started:
Getting good (and enough) nutrition – At a minimum, you’ll need enough calories and the right mix of nutrients to support healing.
Possibility of having to eat differently – Chances are you’ll need to eat differently during cancer treatment because of side effects from treatment. You may have changes in your appetite due to loss of taste, nausea or vomiting.
Adjusting as you go – As your treatment continues, side effects like diarrhea may affect how well your body absorbs nutrients from food. So you may need to adjust your eating habits to support your health as things change.
Effect on energy levels – Figuring out your cancer diet plan in advance is helpful because treatment can affect your energy levels. You may not have the energy to do as much meal planning, shopping and cooking as you did before treatment.
Role of your care team – Your care team can help you determine your calorie and nutrient needs before treatment. This can include recommendations about healthy takeout options, meal kits or frozen foods that help you get the nutrients you need with less effort.
2. Track your appetite
Some people find that their appetite changes throughout the day. If you’re hungriest in the morning, for example, try to pack as much into breakfast as you comfortably can.
3. Eat smaller meals
Rather than three large meals per day, it may be easier to eat five or six smaller meals.
4. Blend your food
Liquids are easier to consume and digest faster than solid food, so making shakes and smoothies can help you reach your calorie goals.
5. Manage nausea
Foods that help with nausea from chemo include ginger (such as ginger ale, ginger snaps and tea), and simple soups, crackers, toast, bananas, oatmeal or any food with a mild flavor.
Let us know how we can help during cancer treatment
Your diet can play a big role in how you feel during cancer treatment. When you’re not feeling your best, it can be hard to eat the best foods or exercise during cancer treatment. So always be kind to yourself as you go through treatment, and remember that your cancer care team is there for you whenever you have questions or need support.
