Eating Tips for Managing Cancer Treatment Side Effects (The James)

Eating Tips for Managing Cancer Treatment Side Effects (The James)

 

Eating the best you can, and drinking enough of the right kind of fluids are important parts of your treatment. Cancer and its treatment can cause malnutrition. Eating well before, during and after treatment can help you feel better and stay strong. Here are tips to help you.

 

Basics on Nutrition and Hydration

Getting nutrition is as important as taking your medicines. You may need to eat even when you do not feel hungry to help stay strong. It may help to eat higher calorie foods and extra protein. Eating well during treatment might mean changing your usual eating habits and what foods you choose to eat.

Drinking enough fluids (keeping hydrated) is important during treatment. Unless you are told differently, try to drink 8 cups (8 ounces each) of non-caffeinated liquids a day.

 

Ways to Increase Your Appetite

  • If you do not feel like you can eat much at one time, try eating several small meals and snacks each day.
  • Drink liquids mostly between meals, rather than with meals. Fluids with meals can make you feel full too soon.
  • Take a short walk before a meal or snack to help improve your appetite.
  • Try following a schedule for eating every 2 to 3 hours, even if you do not feel hungry.

 

Preventing Weight Loss

  • Eat a diet high in calories and protein.
  • Good protein sources include meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, peanut butter, nuts and beans.
  • You can increase calories by adding olive oil, avocado, gravy, butter and cheese to foods.
  • Drink high calorie, high protein drinks, such as shakes and liquid supplements.
  • Take your medicines with a nutritious drink, such as Ensure, Ensure Clear, Glucerna or Boost, instead of water.

 

Nausea and Vomiting

  • Eat foods that have less odor to them. To decrease the odor of drinks, cover the cup or drink through a straw.
  • Eat foods cold or at room temperature instead of hot foods.
  • Rest after eating to allow food to digest. Do not lay down flat right after eating.
  • If you take medicine to help with nausea, take it at least 30 minutes before eating.
  • If you are sensitive to smells, stay in a separate room while food is being prepared.
  • If you are not able to keep fluids or medicine down, call your doctor.

 

Taste Changes

  • During treatment you may have some taste changes. Some treatments, like direct radiation therapy given to the mouth, can cause long-term taste changes.
  • It may take some trial and error to find foods that taste right to you during treatment. If sweet foods do not taste good, try sour, bitter or tart flavors. Try adding sour salad dressings like French or Italian to salads, entrees and cooked vegetables.Try seasoning foods with tart flavors, such as lemon, citrus and pickled items.
  • Rinse your mouth with water or tea to clear your taste buds before you eat.
  • Try sucking on lemon drops or hard candy before eating.
  • Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth two times each day including your tongue.

 

Dry Mouth or Thick Saliva

  • Drink 8 to 12 cups of non-caffeinated liquids each day. Drinking lots of fluids can help loosen the mucus in your mouth or throat that makes swallowing difficult.
  • Eat soft, moist foods that are cool or room temperature.
  • Try adding milk, broth, sauces, gravy or soup to soften and moisten foods. Use yogurt, juice or jelly to make foods “slide” down a dry sore throat easier.

 

Sore Mouth or Sore Throat

  • Do not eat foods high in acid such as tomatoes, citrus fruits and juices including orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime. Avoid spicy or salty foods.
  • Do not eat rough or dry foods that can hurt the sore areas in your mouth and throat. Avoid tough meats, raw vegetables, pretzels, chips and crackers.

 

Diarrhea

  • Eat small meals often during the day.
  • Sip liquids slowly. Drink plenty of fluids during the day to replace what you are losing.
  • Do not eat foods that are greasy, spicy, fatty or fried.
  • Avoid broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and other gas forming high fiber foods.
  • Do not drink fluids or eat foods with caffeine such as coffee, soda, tea or chocolate.
  • Try adding foods such as bananas, applesauce, white bread, crackers or potatoes without skin.

 

Constipation

  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Exercise daily, if possible. This may include walking or stretching.
  • Eat more high fiber foods such as whole grain breads and cereals, fresh fruits, vegetables and beans.

 

More Information

  • Eating Hints, National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.org or call 1-800-4-CANCER
  • Nutrition for the Person with Cancer, American Cancer Society, www. cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345

 

Here is a list with food choices that are better for you to eat if you have any of the following problems:

Taste Changes

Breakfast Entrées
  • French Toast with Fruit Topping
  • Make your own omelet
    • Include: Peppers, Onions, Tomatoes, Diced Ham, Cheese
    • Condiments: Hot Sauce, Ketchup, Salsa, Sour Cream
  • Cereal: Quaker Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat with Craisins and Brown Sugar, Honey Nut Cheerios, Frosted Mini Wheats, Total Raisin Bran
Lunch and Dinner Entrées
  • Beef Pot Roast or Meatloaf Topped with Gravy
  • Baked Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce, BBQ and Honey Mustard
  • Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla with Salsa, Guacamole, or Sour Cream
  • Penne Pasta with Alfredo or Marinara Sauce
  • Soups: Creamy Tomato, Chicken Noodle
Sides
  • Toast with Peanut Butter or Jelly
  • Bagel with Cream Cheese
  • Flavored Yogurt
  • Fruit
  • Pickle Spear
  • Coleslaw
  • Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
  • Baked Potato Wedges with Dipping Sauce
Dessert
  • Blueberry or Peanut Butter Tart
  • Chocolate Pudding
  • Chocolate Chunk Cookie
  • Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
  • Fruit Sorbet
  • Orange Sherbet
  • Ice Cream: Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla (Regular or Sugar Free)
Drinks
  • Fruit Juices
  • Soda
  • Lemonade
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Nutritional Drinks (Ensure, Ensure Clear, Glucerna, Boost)
Condiments
  • Syrup
  • Hot Sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Dressing
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Mayonnaise

 

Dry or Sore Mouth

Breakfast Entrées
  • French Toast
  • Eggs: Hardboiled, Scrambled
  • Make your own omelet
    • Include: Peppers, Onions, Tomatoes, Diced Ham, Cheese
  • Cereal: Quaker Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat
Lunch and Dinner Entrées
  • Penne Pasta with Alfredo or Marinara Sauce
  • Homestyle Chicken Noodles over Mashed Potatoes
  • Meatloaf Topped with Gravy
  • Chicken or Tuna Salad Sandwich
  • Soups: Broths
Sides
  • Soft Fruit: Pears, Peaches, Banana, Pineapple, Applesauce
  • Yogurt: Blueberry, Strawberry, StrawberryBanana, Seasonal Fruit Smoothie
  • Cottage Cheese
  • Macaroni and Cheese
  • Mashed Potatoes with Chicken or Beef Gravy
  • Nutritional Drinks (Ensure, Ensure Clear, Glucerna, Boost)
Dessert
  • Strawberry Sorbet
  • Orange Sherbet
  • Ice Cream: Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla (Regular or Sugar Free)
  • Pudding: Chocolate, Vanilla (Regular or Sugar Free)

 

Upset Stomach (Nausea)

Breakfast Entrées
  • Plain Toast or Bagel
  • Cereals: Cream of Wheat, Quaker Oatmeal, Cheerios, Rice Chex
  • Grilled Chicken Breast
  • Plain Penne Pasta
  • Brown Rice
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Baked Potatoes
  • Applesauce
  • Banana
  • Pears
  • Orange Sherbet
  • Yogurt
  • Soups: Vegetable Broth or Chicken Broth
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Cold chicken, egg or tuna salad with saltines
  • Cottage cheese
Drinks
  • Ginger Ale
  • Sprite
  • Skim Milk
  • Gatorade
  • Tea

 

Constipation or Dehydration

  • Drink 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of non-caffeinated fluid each day.

 

Weight Loss

Entrées and Sides
  • French Toast
  • Breakfast Quesadilla
  • Bagel with Cream Cheese
  • Cheese Quesadilla
  • Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla
  • Baked Chicken Tenders
  • Meatloaf with Gravy
  • Chicken Salad
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Macaroni and Cheese
Condiments
  • Peanut Butter
  • Sour Cream
  • Mayonnaise
  • Cheese
Drinks
  • Whole Milk
  • Chocolate Milk
  • Nutritional Drinks (Ensure, Ensure Clear, Glucerna, Boost)

 

Diarrhea

Entrées and Sides
  • Plain Toast or Bagel
  • Cereals: Cream of Wheat, Quaker Oatmeal, Cheerios, Rice Chex
  • Plain Penne Pasta
  • Brown Rice
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Baked Potatoes
  • Applesauce
  • Banana
  • Pears
  • Soups: Vegetable Broth or Chicken Broth
Drinks
  • Ginger Ale
  • Sprite
  • Gatorade
  • Tea

 

 

© February 20, 2023. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.