A diet containing a good mix of carbohydrates, protein, and fats can help cancer patients deal with treatment side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
By Melanie Winderlich
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
The side effects of cancer treatment sometimes seem as daunting as the condition itself. Cancer patients can experience pain, fatigue, depression, and anemia, depending on the type of cancer, the type of treatment, and other factors.
Many cancer treatment side effects have a connection with eating — nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, trouble with chewing or swallowing, change in sense of taste — which makes getting the right nutrition a challenging aspect of ongoing cancer treatment.
A cancer patient has to be extremely conscious of his diet and pay attention to his body's level of tolerance for certain foods. Unlike standard nutritional guides and pyramids, cancer diet recommendations are slightly different to accommodate the special needs of cancer patients.
Dietary Needs During Cancer Treatment
Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea or vomiting are common when undergoing a cancer treatment like chemotherapy.
Because cancer patients might have problems with appetite or changes in their sense of taste or smell, they may have issues maintaining a healthy weight. Many cancer patients should focus on:
Protein-dense foods. Egg whites, lean meats, dairy products, and beans are full of protein, which allows the body to function properly and repair itself. Since chemotherapy and radiation can take a heavy toll on cells, it's important to maintain a healthy weight and get enough protein.
Calorie-dense foods. Healthy sources of carbohydrates, like grains, fruits and vegetables, and lentils, as well as fats, like butter, oils, and nuts, keep up energy levels with extra calories. Age, gender, and weight affect how many calories patients require.
Water and fluids. Clear liquids, like water, broth, and sports drinks, as well as full-liquid foods, like pureed vegetables, milk, and liquid meal replacements, can help keep a cancer patient’s system healthy. Liquids are especially important dietary items since diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration. Doctors recommend liquid serving sizes based on individual needs.
Vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals help normalize metabolism and maintain growth. Vitamin A, found in eggs, liver, and fortified milk, helps prevent infection and promotes healthy tissue; vitamin D, acquired through sunlight, dairy products, and fish, helps strengthen bones; and vitamin C, found in citrus and green leafy vegetables, helps heal and repair cells, tissue, and wounds. It's important to note that cancer patients, like everyone else, should try to meet their recommended intake of vitamins and minerals by eating enough healthy foods each day. Ask your doctor before taking any supplements. A variety of foods. The senses of taste and smell can change during cancer treatment, so it's important to keep a variety of foods in the house. What was once your favorite food may now make you sick to your stomach one day and top your favorite foods' column the next day. Since no one food provides every required nutrient, eating a variety of foods can help.
Remember that dietary recommendations depend on the type of cancer and treatment. For example, weight gain is somewhat common with breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer treatment, so these patients wouldn't want to add fat to their diets. Talk to your doctor about appetite and weight changes, which may be a result of taking an anticancer medication.
Eating Tips for Cancer Patients
Remember to think small: Eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day, as opposed to three large meals, may reduce the likelihood of nausea and vomiting. Also, says Cynthia Thomson, RD, PhD, associate professor of nutrition at the University of Arizona in Tucson and member of the Arizona Cancer Center, avoid food with strong smells can help with nausea. "Eat more cold foods, for example, and avoid fish and sulfur-containing vegetables," she says.
Helpful sources of nutrition during times when side effects are severe include meal-replacement liquids and powders. These soft, nutrient-dense foods offer lots of protein, calories, and vitamins and are easily transportable, and can help patients maintain a healthy diet, regardless of symptoms like mouth sores or dental pain.
Some cancer patients may not have problems maintaining a healthy diet during treatment. And if side effects, like nausea, randomly pop up, there are highly effective medications, called antiemetics, to control these issues.
The nutritional needs and wants of cancer patients can be deeply affected by cancer treatment and the stress of a cancer diagnosis. Following a diet recommended by their doctors and registered dieticians will help keep their minds and bodies strong on the long road to recovery.
