Going through cancer treatment can be tough, and you might experience various side effects. Our nutrition team is here to help you manage these side effects and improve your quality of life through informed food choices.
Below are some tips to get you started. If any of these symptoms are affecting your ability to maintain a healthy weight or continue with your daily activities, please reach out to us for a consultation. You can ask your care team for a referral or call us directly at 617-632-3006.
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment. More than 80% of people with cancer experience fatigue while receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Additional sources of fatigue may include stress, changes to your schedule, and other medical conditions. Here’s how to combat it:
- Rest and sleep: Ensure you get adequate rest.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to fight fatigue. Certain medications can lead to dehydration and our bodies need fluid to run properly.
- Small meals: Eat small meals throughout the day consume adequate calories to maintain energy.
- Physical activity: Light exercise, like walking, can improve fatigue.
- Balanced diet: Eat a healthy diet and avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine.
To learn how certain foods can help cancer patients cope with fatigue during treatment, watch this video on How to Boost Energy During Cancer Treatment.
Constipation
Constipation can make you feel full and uncomfortable. Dietary fiber, hydration, and activity are key to managing it. You should not go more than three days without a bowel movement. Here are some tips:
- Prunes: Eat warmed or stewed prunes, or drink warm prune juice.
- Warm beverages: Drink warm tea or Senna tea.
- Regular meals: Eat meals at the same time daily.
- Whole grains: Choose whole grain breads, crackers, and cereals.
- Legumes: Add black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, or peas to soups.
- Fruit: Add a serving of fruit to meals or snacks. Frozen fruit is easier to prepare and contains the same amount of fiber as fresh fruit.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Although not as common, vomiting can occur. (Serious bouts of vomiting should be brought to the attention of your care team).
While your medical team will prescribe medication after chemo, here are some nutrition strategies to help minimize your symptoms:
- Avoid an empty stomach: Small, frequent meals (5-6 times a day) can help minimize nausea, which can be worse when your stomach is empty. Also, try to include protein in most meals.
- Pre-treatment meals: Eating before treatment may reduce nausea. Prepare meals in bulk to have something ready to eat when you return from treatment. It may help to identify a few go-to meals that you can prepare ahead and freeze.
- Helpful herbs:
- Ginger: Helps reduce nausea and digestive issues, and can help with gas after chemotherapy treatments.
- Lemon: Lemon aromatherapy can minimize strong smells. Try diffusing lemon essential oil in the room when you are preparing meals, or slice and smell fresh cut lemons. Also, try using lemon juice on foods.
- Peppermint: Sipping peppermint tea can soothe nausea while keeping you hydrated. Also, add fresh mint to meals or drinks to enhance flavor.
Poor Appetite
Losing your appetite can make it hard to get enough calories. This can be due to the cancer itself or to treatment side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, taste changes, pain, stress, and dehydration. Here are some tips to help:
- Eat by the clock: Use external cues by planning consistent times to eat meals and snacks throughout the day.
- Small, frequent meals: Eat small meals and snacks every 3-4 hours.
- Maximize calories: Drizzle, sprinkle, or spread high-calorie “add-ons” to your meals like healthy oils (olive, canola, avocado, sesame), nuts, nut butters, ground flax seeds, cheese, sour cream, avocado, full-fat yogurt, hummus, or dried fruit.
- Drink your calories: Sip on higher-calorie fluids between meals, such as juices (cranberry, grape, nectars), milk, milkshakes, and nutritional supplements.
To learn how can cancer patients can manage appetite loss during treatment, watch this video on How to Cope with Appetite Loss During Cancer Treatment.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is diagnosed by the duration, severity, and presence of certain other symptoms. Diarrhea can deplete your body’s fluids and electrolytes. Treatment methods can vary, but hydration is an important tool. Here’s how to manage it:
- Rehydrate: Drink fluids like Gatorade, Powerade, Pedialyte, and broth to replenish your electrolytes.
- Mini-meals: Eat 4-6 small meals rather than 3 large ones. Eat small amounts of nutrient-dense foods every few hours.
- Bland foods: Choose bland, low-fat foods that are easier to digest.
- Temperature: Avoid very hot or cold foods; opt for warm or room-temperature items instead.
- Fiber management: Work with your dietitian/nutritionist to manage your fiber intake.
Difficulty Swallowing
If you have trouble swallowing (dysphagia) or experience pain when swallowing (odynophagia), let your care team know. Either can be caused by the cancer itself, surgery, radiation, and sometimes chemotherapies. Here are some tips for managing oral discomfort:
- Swallow strategies: A speech and language therapist can work with you to prevent aspiration or the passage of liquid to the lungs.
- Soft foods: Eat soft, moist foods that are easy to swallow.
- Avoid hard foods: Stay away from hard, dry foods.
- Cold foods: Cold temperatures may be more soothing to your throat.
To learn about the best foods for cancer patients who have trouble chewing or swallowing, watch this video on Best Diet for Patients Who Have Trouble Chewing or Swallowing.
Mouth Sores
Some cancer drugs kill not only quickly dividing cancer cells, but also cells in the lining of your mouth. Mouth sores can make eating and drinking difficult. Here’s how to manage these issues:
- Mouth care: Maintain a healthy mouth care routine and ask your care team about pain medication that you can take a half hour before eating.
- Cold foods: Serve foods cold or lukewarm – rather than hot – to reduce irritation.
- Use a straw: Bypass mouth sores with a straw.
- Avoid citrus: Stay away from citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, pineapple, or their juices. Also, avoid tomato sauces or tomato juice.
- Avoid coarse foods: Stay away from raw vegetables, granola, toast, crackers, and other foods with dry, rough textures.
Taste Changes
Taste changes can be a side effect of many cancer treatments. This can be frustrating and make eating challenging. One day something may taste fine, while another day it may taste bland, bitter/bad, metallic, overly sweet or salty. Here are some tips to make this more tolerable:
- Mouth rinse: Rinse your mouth before and after eating with a mixture of water and baking soda or an unsweetened herbal tea.
- Use non-metal utensils: Try bamboo utensils and glass or ceramic cookware.
- Tart foods: Try tart foods, beverages, or condiments with meals. Some good options include lemon, pomegranates, cranberries, and their juices.
- Tart candies or gum: Suck on tart candies, mints, or experiment with chewing gum to freshen your mouth.
To learn how cancer patients can use food to cope with taste changes during treatment, watch this video on How to Cope with Taste Changes During Cancer Treatment.
We’re here to support you through every step of your cancer treatment. If you need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to ask your care team for a referral.