Eating a nutritious, balanced diet while on chemotherapy can help support your treatment and overall health. Mild foods that are easy on the stomach, such as oatmeal and eggs, may be good options.
Side effects of chemotherapy treatment may include dry mouth, taste changes, nausea, and fatigue. These side effects can make it difficult to maintain a balanced diet.
It’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet during cancer treatment to keep your body functioning optimally. Foods that are mild in flavor, easy on your stomach, and nutrient-dense are some of the best options.
Here are 10 foods to eat during chemotherapy.
Oatmeal provides
It boasts ample amounts of carbs, protein, and antioxidants, as well as more healthy fats than most grains.
Oatmeal’s neutral flavor and creamy texture are especially advantageous if you’re experiencing common chemo side effects like dry mouth or mouth sores.
What’s more, you can take overnight oats to your chemo appointments. To make this dish, simply soak oats in a milk of your choice and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, you can top it with berries, honey, or nuts.
Fruit, maple syrup, and nuts are common add-ins, though you can also make savory oatmeal with avocado or eggs. Eat it plain or with a dash of salt if you’re experiencing nausea or mouth sores.
If your appetite is lacking, avocados can pack necessary calories and nutrients into your diet.
This creamy, green fruit is particularly high in healthy monounsaturated fat, which can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol while raising HDL (good) cholesterol.
Because they’re filling, versatile, and mild, avocados are a great option if you’re experiencing dry mouth, constipation, mouth sores, or weight loss.
You can smash and spread them on toast or slice them to top a bowl of grains, beans, or soup.
Fatigue is a common side effect of chemotherapy.
Eggs may fight tiredness due to their
While fat provides your body with energy, protein helps maintain and build muscle mass, which is especially important during chemotherapy.
You can hard-boil eggs for a portable snack or scramble them for a scrumptious meal. Make sure that they’re thoroughly cooked, with thickened yolks and hardened whites, to prevent food poisoning.
Their soft, soothing texture makes eggs ideal if you’re experiencing mouth sores.
Taste changes are normal during chemotherapy — and water is commonly said to taste different.
In these instances, broth is a great alternative to keep you hydrated. It’s made by simmering water with vegetables, herbs, and — if desired — meat or poultry, plus bones.
If you have the appetite for it, you can add chicken, tofu, or veggies into your broth. Puréeing this mixture will help it go down easier if you have mouth sores.
For added nutrients, especially when you’re experiencing dry mouth or low appetite, you can heap in a spoonful of flavorless protein powder, such as collagen powder.
During chemotherapy, you may find yourself in and out of a lot of appointments — so snacks can come in handy.
Not only are nuts like
Almonds are a rich source of manganese and copper. These minerals form superoxide dismutases, some of the most powerful antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants help fight free radicals that damage your cells.
You can also add nuts to oatmeal or other dishes.
However, they may not be easy to eat if you’re experiencing mouth sores. In these instances, you may want to choose nut butters instead.
Like nuts, pumpkin seeds are great for snacking on between your appointments.
They’re
What’s more, they deliver more than 2 grams of iron per 1-ounce (28 grams) serving, or about 13% DV.
For a sweet-and-salty twist, make your own trail mix by combining pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and other dried fruits, seeds, and nuts.
In particular, broccoli offers a significant amount of vitamin C. This vitamin is vital for your immune system.
Steam or roast these veggies with olive oil and a dash of salt. If you’re experiencing taste changes, try a squeeze of lemon as long as you don’t have mouth sores or nausea.
Homemade smoothies are a great option if you’re having a hard time chewing solid food or getting enough nutrients in your diet.
They’re highly customizable, allowing you to choose the best ingredients for your symptoms or taste changes.
Here’s a basic smoothie formula:
- 1–2 cups (240–475 ml) of liquid
- 1.5–3 cups (225–450 grams) of veggies and/or fruit
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of protein
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of fat
For instance, combine fresh or frozen fruit with milk or kefir, then toss in a handful or two of washed spinach leaves. Dump in a spoonful of flax seeds for fat and peanut butter for protein.
You can also squeeze in a bit of lemon or lime to brighten up the flavors.
We also have smoothie recipes ready for you, great for anytime of day.
If you’re experiencing diarrhea or nausea, white bread or crackers are a good choice because they’re typically easy to digest. Whole-grain versions, which supply added nutrients, are ideal for when your stomach is not upset.
Eat them plain or top with nut butter, smashed avocado, or ricotta cheese if you desire more flavor and nutrients.
If you enjoy seafood, it may be beneficial to eat fatty fish while you’re in chemotherapy. Fish provide protein and
Omega-3s are important fats that you must get through your diet. They support brain health and boast anti-inflammatory properties. Salmon, mackerel, albacore tuna, and sardines are particularly high in these fats.
Steam, pan-fry, or roast your fish with a squeeze of lemon. Use a meat thermometer to be sure it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) — or 165°F (74°C) if you’re reheating it.
Chemotherapy can trigger a host of side effects, including dry mouth, taste changes, fatigue, mouth sores, and nausea. These can make eating difficult or unappealing.
Knowing what foods to eat, such as bland foods for mouth sores and wet or creamy textures for dry mouth, may help nourish your body while navigating cancer treatment.
It’s advantageous to pack nutritious, travel-friendly foods to your appointments. Practicing food safety is also important to lower your risk of food poisoning.
However, if you experience difficulty chewing or swallowing during your treatment, talk to your healthcare provider.