Good Foods
Side Effects May Affect Your Diet
During chemotherapy, you may experience side effects that can affect your diet and eating habits. Your doctor or nurse can tell you more about your treatment and what to expect.
Foods That Can Help With Good Nutrition
Depending on your therapy, you may experience some of these symptoms: appetite loss, weight gain/loss, sore mouth or sore throat, dry mouth, nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
Eating nutritious foods will help your body. And it may help you cope with these unpleasant times. A registered dietitian can help you plan meals, write your grocery list, and advise you in planning correctly for your treatment.
Please discuss your individual dietary needs with your healthcare provider.
Food Lists
To get a list of some recommended foods that help with different eating or digestion problems, refer to the condition you are experiencing.
Appetite loss—Try to eat small meals throughout the day, keep snacks handy, and drink liquids (soup, liquid meal products) when you don’t feel like eating solid foods. You might try the following:
- Clear liquids
- Soup
- Cheese and crackers
- Muffins
- Popcorn
- Yogurt
- Pudding
- Instant breakfast food
- Milkshakes
Weight gain—Discuss the reason for the weight gain with your physician. Some causes may include drug side effects and water retention.
Sore mouth or sore throat—Discuss the reason for the soreness with your doctor or dentist, use medication if prescribed, and eat soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Avoid foods that are tart, spicy, salty, or crunchy. Good foods are:
- Oatmeal or cooked cereals
- Noodles
- Macaroni and cheese
- Fruit
- Bananas
- Applesauce
- Watermelon
- Vegetables (mashed, pureed, or blended)
- Pudding
- Scrambled eggs
Dry mouth—Ask your doctor or dentist about products that moisten the mouth and throat. Eat soft foods and drink liquids, but avoid tart or very sweet foods if your mouth or throat becomes sore. Try these:
- Sips of water
- Lemonade
- Popsicles
- Hard candy
- Soft foods
- Pureed foods
- Sauces (on meats and potatoes)
- Gravy (on meats and potatoes)
- Salad dressings (on salads or vegetables)
Nausea—Ask your doctor about antinausea medications. Eat foods that are easy to digest and avoid foods that are fatty, greasy, fried, spicy, or have strong odors. Some ideas are:
- Toast
- Crackers
- Pretzels
- Oatmeal
- Angel food cake
- Rice
- Boiled potatoes
- Noodles
- Canned fruits (peaches and pears)
- Canned vegetables
- Sherbet
Vomiting—Do not eat or drink anything until the vomiting is controlled. Then, start with small amounts of water or liquids. Try the following soft foods only when you can keep liquids down:
- Bouillon
- Fruit drinks
- Fruit punch
- Gelatin
- Ice cream
- Yogurt
- Sherbet
Diarrhea—Discuss the cause of the diarrhea (chemotherapy, radiation, infection, food sensitivities, emotional upset) with your doctor. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to replace the water you lose and eat foods that contain sodium and potassium (two minerals that are lost with diarrhea). Avoid foods that are raw, have high fiber content, or are greasy. Try these:
- Fat-free broth
- Bouillon
- Sports drinks
- White bread
- Boiled or mashed potatoes
- Rice
- Noodles
- Bananas
- Canned fruits
- Yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Chicken (skinned)
- Turkey (skinned)
- Lean beef
- Fish (broiled or baked)
Constipation—Discuss the cause of the constipation with your doctor (medication, lack of fluids or fiber in your diet, being in bed for a long time) and decide which of the following may help:
- Water
- Liquids
- Whole-grain bread and cereal
- Dried fruits
- Wheat bran or wheat germ
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Dried beans and peas
Adapted from Eating Hints for Cancer Patients Before, During & After Treatment
NIH Publication #98-2079. July 1997. pp. 1-39.
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