Fuel Your Way to Recovery: Foods to Add—and Avoid—During Cancer Treatment
Posted October 09, 2023 by Catherine Bentley, MPA, RDN, LD, CDCES and Rella Rotondo, RD, LD
Not only does your body need energy to function at its best and fight off the disease, but also to repair and recover.
Eating nutritious foods is a key component to a healthy lifestyle. In fact, some recent studies have linked plant-based foods and lower cancer rates.
The primary goal of a nutrition plan during cancer treatment is to increase your energy and muscle tone, help you stay strong enough to manage side effects, reduce inflammation and boost your immune system.
If you’re battling cancer, consider food as medicine. Summa Health offers tips on foods to add to your diet, those to avoid and eating strategies to help you combat uncomfortable treatment side effects.
However, a nutrition plan isn’t one size fits all. Every body is different. The food that’s right for you and your situation depends on what type of cancer you have, where it’s located and the side effects you’re experiencing from treatment.
That’s why it’s a good idea to consult with a registered dietitian during cancer treatment to develop a personalized eating plan. Some cancer care locations may have registered dietitians who have an additional certification, Certified Specialist in Oncology, or CSO. A dietitian can give you strategies for good nutrition while answering questions about the role your diet can play in your care and helping to reduce your risk of cancer.. They also can offer tips on how to eat healthy on a budget, or what to do if you’re already on a special diet due to a chronic disease, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Foods to add to your diet
An overall balanced diet is important for all cancer patients. The primary goal is to maintain your weight, stay hydrated and manage your symptoms.
If you’re battling cancer, make sure you’re not lacking in these important food groups.
Protein
Protein is vital during cancer treatment to help repair tissue during treatment and keep your strength up.
Great sources of protein include lean meats, such as chicken, turkey and fish, eggs and peanut butter. Low-fat dairy products, such as Greek yogurt, milk and cheeses are also great options. Plant-based proteins are especially important because they offer the highest levels of vitamins and minerals. These include nuts, seeds, hummus and legumes, including beans and lentils.
If you’re not feeling hungry or it’s difficult to swallow, protein shakes can be a great option.
Healthy fats
Getting enough calories during treatment is important to keep your body strong. Healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, are good options because they’re high in omega-3 fatty acids that help decrease inflammation and improve cardiovascular health.
Good sources of healthy fats include fatty fish, such as salmon, walnuts, avocados and olive oil.
Fruits and veggies
Just like any healthy diet, getting enough fruits and vegetables is important because they are chock full of vitamins and minerals. Plus, they’re a good source of fiber, which is good for your digestive health, can lower cholesterol, help control blood sugar and aids in maintaining a healthy weight.
In addition, fruits and veggies are full of chemical compounds, called phytochemicals, an antioxidant that helps protect the body from damage, decreases inflammation and has been shown to decrease cancer risk.
When choosing which ones to eat, aim to “eat the rainbow” to maximize your intake of vitamins and minerals.
Healthy carbs
Healthy carbs are high in soluble fiber, which helps to maintain gut health and promotes regularity. Just be sure to reach for ones that are minimally processed, such as oats, bran and whole-grain breads, cereals and pasta.
Plenty of liquids
Hydration is key to help your body function at its best. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially on days when you’re not feeling well or eating much. Keep a water bottle nearby to ensure you’re drinking water throughout the day.
Foods to avoid during cancer treatment
To keep your body fit and strong during cancer treatment, it’s best to avoid foods that don’t offer much nutritional value to make room for the foods that do.
Try to avoid:
- Heavily processed and packaged foods. They eliminate many vitamins and minerals during processing. Also, stay away from processed meats because they contain nitrates.
- Fried foods. They contain hydrogenated oils that can increase inflammation.
- Foods that increase the risk of food-borne illness. Since cancer patients have compromised immunity, stay away from raw fish and eggs, unpasteurized milk and cheeses.
- Sugar. While it’s a myth that high-sugar diets feed cancer, it’s a fact that limiting sugar intake can decrease your risk for diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Foods to combat treatment side effects
When it comes to cancer treatment, you will have good days and bad days. For those days when you’re not feeling your best, try dietary changes to help you manage these unsavory side effects:
- Appetite loss: Eat five or six small meals and nutritious snacks throughout the day, instead of three large meals. Try a protein shake or smoothie to sip on.
- Loss of taste: Try new foods with different spices or marinades, and strong flavors, such as lemon or lime juice. You may be surprised some things you never liked before might taste good.
- Sore mouth or throat: Try smoothies and other soft foods that are easy to swallow, such as pureed soups, scrambled eggs, applesauce and yogurt. You also can cut food into very small pieces that are easier to chew and swallow.
- Constipation: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and add lots of fiber to your diet, such as whole-grain breads and cereals, veggies and beans.
- Diarrhea: Drink lots of fluids to replace what you’re losing, and reach for foods or drinks with sodium, think sports drinks and broth, and foods high in potassium, such as bananas and winter squash. Avoid high-fiber foods.
- Nausea: Eating small meals multiple times a day is easier on your digestive tract, and make sure you don’t skip meals. You also can try anti-nausea foods, such as ginger, and foods easy on the stomach, including bananas, applesauce and toast.
If you’re struggling to stick to a healthy diet, talk to your healthcare provider about referring you to a registered dietitian. They can help you develop a personalized eating plan and fuel your way to recovery.
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