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Eating Tips for Cancer Patients

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Common Cancer Treatments

Surgery, Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Biologic Immunotherapy
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Common Side Effects

Most side effects will go away after the cancer treatment ends.

Loss of appetite

Weight changes

Sore mouth/throat

Dry mouth

Dental and gum problems

Changes in sense of taste or smell

Nausea/vomiting

Diarrhea

Lactose intolerance

Constipation

Fatigue and/or depression

Goals For Recovery

Build body reserves before treatment

Prevent body tissue from breaking down

Maintain body strength

Rebuild tissue

Maintain defenses against infection

Overall Nutritional Recommendations

Your goal is to build strength and withstand the side effects of the cancer treatment

Small Frequent Meals

Higher calorie foods, with more protein as tolerated

Milk, cream, cheese, cooked eggs

Use of sauce, gravies

Cooking with more butter, margarine, or oil

Eat low-fiber food if you experience diarrhea or a sore mouth

Handy snacks as tolerated:

Pudding

Peanut butter with crackers or toast

Canned Tuna

Cooked eggs

Cheese

Crackers

Muffins

Ice-cream

Fruit

Dried fruits

Beverages

Juice

Soup

Yogurt

Milk-based product

Milkshakes

Have liquid meal replacement if you are not interested in eating, e.g. Ensure Plus or Boost Plus

Drink plenty of fluids

6-8 cups for adults

Coping With Side Effects

Loss of appetite

Drink liquid or liquid meal replacements, e.g. Boost Plus or Ensure Plus

Weight gain may occur with edema or from increased appetite

Eat more fruit and veggie, lean protein

Sore mouth/throat

Select soft food that is easy to chew and swallow:

Shakes

Bananas, applesauce, other soft fruits

Peach, pear, and apricot nectars

Watermelon

Cottage cheese, yogurt

Mashed potatoes, noodles

Macaroni and cheese

Custards, puddings, and gelatins

Scrambled eggs

Oatmeal or other cooked cereals

Pureed or mashed vegetables, e.g. peas and carrots

Pureed meats

Avoid citrusy/spicy/rough food

Dry mouth

Sip of water every few minutes

Suck on popsicles or chew gum

Moisten food with sauces, gravies, Mayonnaise and salad dressings

Changes in sense of taste or smell (common when eating meat or high protein foods)

Try white meat

Meat seasoned/marinated in sweet fruit juices, sweet wine, Italian dressing, or sweet-and-sour sauce

Try small amount of flavorful seasonings, e.g. basil, oregano, or rosemary

Try tart foods, e.g. lemon custard tart

Nausea/vomiting

Try food that is easy on stomach:

Toast, crackers, and pretzels

Yogurt

Sherbet

Angel food cake

Cream of wheat, rice, or oatmeal

Boiled potatoes, rice, or noodles

Carbonated drinks

Eggs

Skinned chicken that is baked or broiled, not fried

Canned peaches or other soft, bland fruits and vegetables

Clear liquids

Ice chips

Avoid too much liquid to avoid feeling bloated

Once vomiting is under control, try small amounts of clear liquids or water

Diarrhea

Drink plenty of fluids

Eat foods and drink liquids that contain sodium and potassium

Bananas, peaches, apricot nectar, and boiled or mashed potatoes, and sport drinks

Also Try:

yogurt, cottage cheese as tolerated

rice, noodles, or potatoes

farina or cream of wheat

eggs (cooked until the whites are solid, not fried)

smooth peanut butter

white bread

canned, peeled fruits and well-cooked vegetables

skinned chicken or turkey, lean beef, or fish (broiled or baked, not fried)

Ways to Add Calories

Eat on a schedule every two hours, even if only a couple of bites

Ask your family and friends to help with grocery shopping and food preparation

Prepare ahead

Pack a snack or supplement drink if you know you are going to be in one place for long (such as waiting rooms, planes, cars, etc.)

Suggestions for Between Meal Snacks

Avocado

Applesauce

Bread, muffins, and crackers

Buttermilk with cornbread

Caramel apple dip

Carrot & celery sticks w/ranch dressing or peanut butter

Cereal

Cheese and crackers/toast

Cheese and/or beef/bean nachos

Cheesecake

Chocolate milk

Cream cheese with bagel or nut bread

Cinnamon toast

Cola/root beer float

Corn chips with guacamole/bean dip

Cottage cheese with fruit

Cream soup/Oriental noodle soup

Custard or pudding

Dip made with cheese, beans, or sour cream

Deviled egg

Doughnut or pastry

Dried fruits (raisins, apricots, etc.)

Egg salad sandwich

Fruit (fresh, canned, dried)

Fruit with whipped cream or dip

Gelatin

Granola, granola bar

Grilled cheese sandwich

Hard-boiled eggs

Hot chocolate

Hot cereal with cream

Hummus on a pita or bagel

Ice cream

Juices

Macaroni and cheese

Meat (chicken, tuna, etc.) sandwich

Milk and cookies/cake

Milkshakes

Olives

Peanut butter on crackers/toast/bread with jelly/honey/banana

Pimento cheese sandwich

Pita bread and hummus

Popsicle

Pop tarts and milk

Popcorn with butter, caramel, nuts, cheese

Puddings, and custards

Quiche

Sandwiches

Sherbet

Smoothies, milkshakes

Trail mix (dried fruit, raisins, nuts, M&Ms)

Toaster Waffles or French toast with butter and syrup or jelly

Tomato stuffed with egg salad

Tortilla with cream cheese rollups

Whole, or 2%milk

Yogurt

Yogurt with granola

Suggestions for Clear Liquids

Bouillon

Clear, fat-free broth

Clear carbonated beverages

Cranberry/grape juice

Intermezzo ice

Honey

Healthwise

Jelly

Plain gelatin dessert

Popsicles

Resource Breeze

Sports drinks

Lemonade

Strained vegetable broth

Water

Suggestions for Full-Liquids Diet

All fruit juices

Bouillon, broth

Butter/cream/oil/margarine

Carbonated beverages

Coffee/Tea

Fresh or frozen plain yogurt

Honey/jelly/syrup

Liquid supplements

Milk, all types

Milkshakes

Plain gelatin desserts

Cream soup/strained soup

Refined/strained cooked cereal

Sherbet

Ice cream

Pudding/Custard

Strained lemonade

Tomato juice

Vegetable juice

Water

More Ways To Learn

Eating Hints for Cancer Patients, Before, During & After Treatment; National Institutes of Health. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/eatinghints.pdfOpens new window

Good Nutrition for the Patients with Cancer, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Center. http://www.mdanderson.orgOpens new window

To find page on good nutrition for cancer patients. Type in the search box: “good nutrition cancer patients

To find page with recipes for high-calorie, high-protein milkshakes. Type in the search box: milkshakes

Note: This information is not meant to replace any information or personal medical advice which you get directly from your doctor(s). If you have any questions about this information, such as the risks or benefits of the treatment listed, please ask your doctor(s).

Developed by: Wing Y Lau (Whitney), MS, RD. Reviewed by: Bethany Parrett, RD, CNSC, Eric Hernandez, RD.

Produced by: The staff at California Pacific Medical Center in association with the Center for Patient and Community Education.

Last update: 6/2012
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