Jeffrey Salazar
Chemotherapy can cause various side effects, such as dry mouth, taste changes, nausea, fatigue, and mouth sores, which can make it challenging to maintain a balanced diet. Thus, it is crucial to pay attention to your diet during chemotherapy. While a special diet is not required, it is recommended to eat light, bland, and nutritious foods that are easy on the stomach, such as oatmeal and eggs. Avocados, for example, can provide necessary calories and nutrients, while smoothies can be a good option for those struggling to eat solid foods. It is also important to stay hydrated, with water being the best option. Oncology dietitians can provide valuable advice and support to help patients make informed nutritional choices during chemotherapy.
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What You'll Learn
Manage weight changes
While undergoing chemotherapy, it is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet to keep your body functioning optimally. A slight change in weight during chemotherapy is not a concern, but significant weight loss can affect how you cope with chemotherapy. Oncology dietitians can provide advice and support to help you manage your weight during treatment. They can assist if you are losing weight, struggling to eat and drink, or gaining weight due to reduced physical activity or increased appetite.
If you are experiencing weight loss, there are some simple steps you can take to enrich your diet with more calories. You can enrich your foods with butter, cheese, cream, honey, or syrup, or choose high-energy snacks such as cheese and biscuits, cakes, and full-fat yogurts. If you are finding it hard to eat solid foods, opt for more nutritious fluids such as milkshakes or smoothies. Avocados are also a good option, as they are high in healthy monounsaturated fats, which can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol.
If you are experiencing unwanted weight gain, you can ask your hospital team for support to help you lose weight through your GP. You should also ensure you are drinking enough fluids, with water being the best option. Other choices include apple and grape juice, fruit nectar, broth, clear soup, sports drinks, herbal teas, and weak black teas.
It is important to pay close attention to your diet during chemotherapy and ensure you are getting enough nutrients. A balanced diet will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function well, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
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Eat mild, bland foods
Chemotherapy can cause a variety of side effects, including fatigue, constipation, dry mouth, taste changes, and nausea. Eating a nutritious, balanced diet while on chemotherapy can help support your treatment and overall health. It is recommended that patients eat lightly on chemotherapy days, with small portions consumed slowly and every few hours.
Mild, bland foods are often recommended for those undergoing chemotherapy. These foods are typically easy on the stomach and mild in flavor, making them ideal for combating the side effects of treatment. Here are some specific examples of mild, bland foods that may be suitable:
- Oatmeal: Oatmeal has a neutral flavor and creamy texture, making it a good option for those experiencing dry mouth or mouth sores. It is also a good source of carbs, protein, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
- Eggs: Eggs provide a generous supply of protein and healthy fats, which are important for energy and muscle maintenance during chemotherapy.
- Avocados: Avocados are creamy and mild, making them suitable for dry mouth and mouth sores. They are high in healthy monounsaturated fats, which can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. They are also filling and versatile, making them a good option if you are experiencing weight loss.
- Smoothies: Homemade smoothies are highly customizable and can be a good way to get nutrients if you are having trouble chewing solid food. Try combining fruit with milk or kefir, spinach, flax seeds, and peanut butter.
- Potatoes: Mashed potatoes are a soft, bland food that can be easy to eat if you are experiencing mouth soreness or swallowing difficulties. They are also a good source of potassium.
- Rice: Rice is another bland, soft food that can be easy to eat and digest.
- Yogurt: Yogurt is a bland food that can provide probiotics, which may be beneficial for gut health.
- Crackers: If you are experiencing nausea or diarrhea, plain crackers can be a good choice as they are typically easy to digest.
It is important to listen to your body and choose foods that appeal to you. If you are experiencing a loss of appetite, it is crucial to prioritize calorie-dense and nutrient-rich foods to prevent weight loss. Additionally, staying hydrated is essential, so be sure to drink plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal teas, or clear soups.
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Consume fluids
Chemotherapy can lead to various side effects, including dry mouth, taste changes, nausea, and fatigue. These can make eating and drinking difficult. It is important to consume enough fluids to prevent dehydration, which can be serious if left unchecked. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluid than it takes in, and it can affect how your body functions.
To prevent dehydration, it is recommended that you drink at least 64 ounces of fluid per day, unless otherwise advised by your doctor. This may need to be higher if you are experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, or a high temperature. It is important to sip fluids throughout the day and not just when you feel thirsty, as you can become dehydrated without feeling thirsty. If you are struggling to drink enough, try adding ice to your drinks, or sucking on ice chips. You can also try other liquids besides water, such as milk, juice, sports drinks, or decaffeinated tea and coffee. Foods with high water content, such as watermelon, lettuce, and broccoli, can also help you meet your fluid intake goals.
If you are experiencing nausea or a lack of appetite, it is important to prioritize getting enough calories and nutrients. Avocados, for example, are a versatile, mild-tasting fruit that can be added to many dishes to boost their nutritional content. They are also good for combating dry mouth and constipation. Homemade smoothies are another good option if you are having trouble eating solid food or getting enough nutrients. They can be customized to suit your taste preferences and nutritional needs.
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Avoid fatty, greasy, spicy foods
Chemotherapy can cause a range of side effects, including dry mouth, taste changes, fatigue, mouth sores, nausea, and constipation. Eating fatty, greasy, and spicy foods should be avoided during chemotherapy as they can aggravate these side effects.
Firstly, chemotherapy can cause mouth sores, and eating fatty, greasy, and spicy foods can irritate these sores. Spicy foods contain capsaicin, which acts as an irritant. Fatty and greasy foods can also be difficult to eat if mouth sores are present. Instead, it is recommended to eat mild, bland, and creamy foods that are easy to consume and will not further irritate the mouth. Examples include oatmeal, eggs, avocados, smoothies, and white bread or crackers.
Secondly, fatty, greasy, and spicy foods can worsen nausea, which is another common side effect of chemotherapy. Greasy foods, in particular, can be difficult to tolerate and may worsen feelings of nausea. It is best to eat light, bland, and low-fat foods when experiencing nausea. Eating small portions slowly and having some food in your stomach can help to alleviate nausea. Drinking liquids between meals, rather than with meals, is also recommended.
Thirdly, fatty, greasy, and spicy foods can contribute to feelings of fatigue, which is already a common side effect of chemotherapy. Eating a balanced diet that includes protein and healthy fats is important to maintain energy levels and fight fatigue. However, fatty and greasy foods can be heavy and difficult to digest, potentially leading to increased feelings of fatigue.
Finally, fatty, greasy, and spicy foods can aggravate constipation, another potential side effect of chemotherapy. Greasy foods, in particular, can be difficult to digest and may worsen constipation. It is important to eat high-fiber foods and stay hydrated to prevent and alleviate constipation. However, fatty, greasy, and spicy foods can be low in fiber and dehydrating, making constipation worse.
In summary, avoiding fatty, greasy, and spicy foods during chemotherapy is important to reduce the risk of aggravating side effects such as mouth sores, nausea, fatigue, and constipation. Eating mild, bland, and easy-to-digest foods will help to alleviate these side effects and ensure optimal nutrition during treatment.
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Take advice from experts
While undergoing chemotherapy, it is important to seek advice from experts, such as oncology dietitians and doctors, who can provide personalized nutrition care and support. They can offer guidance on managing side effects, maintaining a balanced diet, and addressing weight changes.
Oncology dietitians are specialists who can help optimize health before, during, and after chemotherapy. They can provide advice on nutrition-related queries and support individual needs. These experts can recommend dietary modifications to manage side effects like nausea, constipation, and weight loss. For instance, they may suggest enriching foods with butter, cheese, or honey to increase calorie intake, or recommend high-energy snacks like full-fat yogurts. Dietitians can also advise on alternative diets and provide support for weight management.
Doctors and medical professionals are another vital source of expertise. They can prescribe medications to alleviate side effects, such as anti-nausea drugs, mouthwashes, and pain relief. Additionally, they can refer patients to oncology dietitians and ensure safe and informed decisions regarding dietary supplements.
Registered dietitians at cancer centers can also provide virtual or in-person consultations. These experts can offer personalized nutrition care and help patients make informed choices about their diet. They can address specific concerns and provide tailored recommendations to support overall health during chemotherapy.
It is important to seek expert advice to ensure safe and effective dietary choices during chemotherapy. Both oncology dietitians and medical professionals play crucial roles in providing guidance, support, and personalized care to meet individual needs and improve overall well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that patients eat lightly on chemotherapy days. Eating small portions slowly and every few hours seems to work best. You should also eat a nutritious and well-balanced diet, including foods that are mild in flavour, easy on your stomach, and nutrient-dense.
Foods that are mild and easy on the stomach, such as oatmeal and eggs, are good options. Avocados are also a great choice, as they are filling, versatile, and mild. They can help with side effects like dry mouth, constipation, mouth sores, or weight loss.
Water is best. Other options include apple and grape juice, fruit nectar, broth, clear soup, sports drinks, herbal teas such as ginger and mint, and weak black teas.
You should avoid fatty, greasy, or spicy foods, as they may not be well tolerated.
There are dietary supplements that claim to cure cancer or help slow its growth, but there is no reliable scientific evidence to support this. If you decide to take any supplements, talk to your oncology dietitian or doctor first.
