Information for Patients

Nutrition and Cancer

Mindy Athas, R.D., C.D.E.

Ask a Nutritionist

Get answers your questions about nutrition and cancer by e-mailing Mindy Athas, R.D., C.D.E.

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis via e-mail.

Eating well may help you keep up your strength during your cancer treatment. Mindy Athas, R.D., C.D.E., nutrition educator at UMGCC, has put together some tips for maintaining good nutrition during cancer treatment. For more information or to speak to a dietitian, please call 410-328-5462.

Note: Always talk to your health care provider about your nutritional concerns.

What to Eat During Cancer Treatment

  1. Small meals with small portions.
  2. Frequent meals: five to six times per day.v
  3. Plenty of water: 8 ounces six to eight times per day.
  4. More fiber: whole grains, 100% whole wheat, flaxseed, oatmeal, brown rice, wheat pasta, fruit, vegetables, and nuts.
  5. Fruits and vegetables: at least 5 servings per day. Use juices too.
  6. Eat high calorie, high protein foods: pizza, peanut butter, tuna salad, milk products, eggs, beans, bagels, nuts, and granola.
  7. Try supplements: Boost Plus®, Ensure Plus®, Instant Breakfast, or make your own homemade milkshakes: add protein powder.
  8. Food safety: wash hands before eating, cook food to proper temperatures, and keep food covered, refrigerated or frozen.

Anti-Nausea/Vomiting Tips

  1. Take your anti-nausea medicine. Talk to your health care provider about these drugs.
  2. Eat slowly and chew your food well.
  3. Wear loose clothing while eating.
  4. Stay upright while eating. Do not lie down for 45 minutes after eating.
  5. Try cool or cold temperature foods.
  6. Avoid odors that seem to bother you. Get fresh air.
  7. Try popsicles, gelatin, dry cereal, toast, crackers, potatoes, and rice.
  8. Avoid fried or fatty/greasy foods.
  9. Eat smaller meals more often. Hunger can lead to nausea.
  10. Stay hydrated: sip on fluids.

Easy to Chew & Swallow Foods

  1. Mushy, creamy, pureed, strained, or blended foods: use blender or food processor.
  2. Dairy foods: ice cream, yogurt, milk, cream, ½ & ½ condensed or dried milk.
  3. Liquids: smoothies, supplements (Ensure Plus®) or homemade milkshakes.
  4. Baby food: stage 1 or 2 (no chunks).
  5. Cooked, canned or frozen & warmed fruits & vegetables.
  6. Stews, soups, slow-cooked foods (use crock pots or slow cooker).
  7. Slippery noodles, pasta covered in butter or oil.
  8. Gravies, sauces, cream, salad dressing, mayo, or melted cheese as toppings.
  9. Dunk or soak foods in liquids (soggy cereal or bread in milk).
  10. Avoid hot or cold temperature extremes. Eat foods at room temperature.

Antioxidant-Rich Foods

  1. All fruits: especially dark or brightly colored ones & their juices (berries, grapes, pomegranates, citrus, avocado, and dried fruit).
  2. All vegetables: especially dark green leafy, brightly colored ones & vegetable juice (spinach, sweet peppers, peas, broccoli, sweet potatoes, onions, garlic).
  3. Fresh herbs & spices: parsley, cilantro, cinnamon, ginger, oregano, curry powder.
  4. Honey (pasteurized), molasses, real maple syrup, dark chocolate, cocoa.
  5. Nuts, seeds, nut butters (peanut butter: NO Trans fat on label).
  6. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: fish, fish oil capsules, flaxseed, canola oil, walnuts.
  7. Tomato products: sauce, pizza, stewed, fresh, juice.
  8. Soy foods: milk, yogurt, ice cream, cheese, tofu, Boca® meats, nuts, nut butter.
  9. Tea: black, green, white; decaf or regular; not herbal.

Altered Taste

  1. Avoid foods that taste off. These may change daily: retry foods.
  2. Use more cold-temperature foods: dairy products, salads.
  3. Try adding sugar to salty/savory foods & salt to sweet foods.
  4. Use extra seasonings or spices.
  5. Use plastic silverware & plates. Do not cook with metal.
  6. Try hard candy-regular or sugar-free.
  7. Use citrus flavors (lemon/lime) or tangy/tart flavors (pickle relish, cranberry).
  8. Use straws in lidded cups. Drink beverages with ice.

Poor Appetite

  1. Eat Anyway! Cancer itself and treatment can take away your appetite. Know that you must eat despite not feeling like it.
  2. Small, frequent mini meals every two to three hours.
  3. Walk before eating. Get fresh air.
  4. Keep food laying around in plain view.
  5. Use pre-portioned, ready-to-eat foods. Chop up large portions.
  6. Rest or nap between eating.
  7. One bite or sip is better than none. Start small and gradually build up your portions. Do not go more than 4 hours without eating!
  8. Talk to your health care provider about appetite stimulating medication.

When Foods Burn Your Throat

  1. Talk to your health care provider about medication to help.
  2. Eat small meals more often.
  3. Stay away from acidic foods: coffee & tea (both regular & decaf), citrus fruits, tomato products (sauce, pizza), raw onion, vinegar, pineapple, beer & wine.
  4. IF ACID REFLUX or GERD:
    1. Also stay away from: high fat foods, fried foods, store-bought items (pastry, doughnuts, snack foods such as potato chips, mac-n-cheese), whole milk products, cured meats, mint flavorings, hot spices, & pepper.
    2. Stay upright while eating & afterwards for 45 minutes. Elevate the head of your bed while sleeping.
    3. Wear loose-fitting clothing.

Low Fat, High Calorie Foods

  1. For patients who cannot tolerate fat.
  2. Use fat-free/low-fat dairy foods: skim or 1% milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream.
  3. Baby food: low fat.
  4. Egg whites or egg substitute.
  5. Beans: low fat.
  6. Lean meats, skinless chicken/turkey, fish, roast beef. No fried foods.
  7. Jam, canned or dried fruit, popsicles, fruit bars, honey, molasses, syrup.
  8. Hard candy (not chocolate), gelatin, sherbet.
  9. Sweet tea, soda, sports drinks, punch.
  10. Bagels. English muffins, fat free muffins or biscuits.
  11. Fat free: gravy, sauces, soups, stews, mayo, sour cream.
  12. Grains: pasta/noodles, rice, bread, cereal, popcorn (fat free), pretzels, baked chips.

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This page was last updated on: October 24, 2007.