8 tips for eating during and after chemotherapy

When you’re living with cancer, meals can be your time-out from everything medical—a chance to rest, build your strength, and enjoy the company of loved ones. During chemotherapy or after finishing chemotherapy, eating healthy, satisfying foods every day also can help you:

• Stay strong, both mentally and physically
• Tolerate your treatments
• Protect healthy cells against damage from chemo
• Support your immune system and revitalize your energy stores

However, side effects like mouth sores and nausea can create stress and pain, keeping you from getting the nutrients you need. Here are eight expert-approved tips to help you beat the discomfort and enjoy food.

Eat small meals throughout the day

“Large meals can feel overwhelming when you have a poor appetite," says Kelly Kugler, RD, a registered dietitian in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "A big plate might make you not want to eat anything, even though you could probably take a few bites."

If a full meal is too much, Kugler recommends opting for small snacks every few hours. The key is bulking up your snacks with extra protein and calories to really make them count. You may want to:

• Spread peanut butter or cottage cheese onto fruit.
• Scoop sour cream or parmesan cheese onto savory foods like veggies and soups.
• Add protein to smoothies, oatmeal and yogurt.

Keep quick-fix meals on hand

When you have unpredictable side effects like nausea or a poor appetite, you never know when you might actually be hungry. Since windows of opportunity may not last long, it helps to have ready-made food on hand.

“Store things that you can grab-and-go, like hard-boiled eggs, string cheese, snack bars, yogurt, or cottage cheese," Kugler says. "Fast, high-calorie snacks can keep you from missing the chance to eat because you won’t have to spend time cooking something.”

Consider prepping meals ahead of time:

• Make a hearty soup or stew, then freeze it in single-serving containers.
• Keep sliced grilled chicken, tuna, or egg salad in the fridge for easy sandwich or salad toppings.

Soothe and protect your tender mouth

Chemotherapy can cause mouth sores that make you dread eating even your favorite meals. “To lessen the pain, eat foods at room temperature, instead of very hot or cold,” says Kugler. “Using a straw to direct drinks and broths away from open sores can help too.”

Stay away from rough, dry foods like crackers, as well as spicy and acidic foods like salsa, which can irritate sores. Instead, try cream of wheat, pasta, and yogurt, which can comfort your mouth—just check the yogurt ingredients for harsh citric acid before digging in. Some people find chamomile tea helpful, as well.

Finally, you may want to rinse with this soothing, homemade mouthwash as needed for relief and freshness:

• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

When you can’t eat, drink for nutrition

Nutrient-rich beverages can help you get the calories and protein you need when solid foods just aren’t possible. Pre-made supplement drinks, shakes, and smoothies are great, but they’re also simple to make at home, says Kugler.

Whether you’re blending an indulgent shake or pureeing veggies for a nutrition-packed soup, give it a protein boost with a fortified milk base:

• 4 cups milk
• 1 cup powdered, fortified milk

Blend and chill in the refrigerator for 6 hours. Enjoy as a drink or add to recipes.

Offset daily naps with snack breaks

Feeling exhausted all the time is a common side effect of chemotherapy. It can also signal a change in one of your blood cell counts, like your number of red blood cells. So, tell your healthcare provider if you feel too tired to eat or complete everyday activities.

Getting enough rest is important but sleeping all day leaves little time for eating the food your body needs. It can also impair your sleep cycle, making it harder to fall asleep when you want to. Consider taking naps during the day, but wake up for snacks, drinks, and some light activity between sleep sessions. Limit naps to 30 minutes and avoid taking them after mid-afternoon.

If you're only eating a few small meals throughout the day, make them as calorie-dense as possible, by adding ingredients like:

• Cheese on omelets and sandwiches
• Granola on top of yogurt, oatmeal or pudding
• Dried fruit in cakes, cookies, and breads or on rice or oats

Don’t let dehydration sneak up on you

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can keep you from getting—or keeping down—the fluids you need. Being dehydrated can worsen treatment symptoms, especially exhaustion. Drink one glass of liquid after each episode of diarrhea and sip clear liquids about 30 minutes after vomiting stops. These can include:

• Broth, which will help replace lost sodium
• Fruit juice or nectar, which can replenish potassium and sugar

Also, try using ginger to hydrate and help settle your stomach at the same time. Boil it for tea or chop and add it to club soda for fresh ginger ale, suggests Kugler.

Staying hydrated can help ease constipation, too. Warm prune juice may get things moving.

Exercise to increase your appetite

It might come as a surprise, but physical activity can actually help you feel less tired and stimulate ease your appetite. Adding some exercise to your day, even if you start small, can also:

• Keep your bowels moving regularly
• Ease nausea
• Reduce stress and depression

If you haven’t been feeling up to exercise, start with just 5 or 10 minutes of walking at a time. Then, add a few minutes each time you go for a stroll.

“For a lot of people, exercise might not seem possible," Kugler says. "But even if you could just do a little walk or some seated exercises, it can actually help you work up an appetite.”

Eat for better digestion

Cancer treatment, like chemotherapy and medication to manage related pain, can affect your bowels; both diarrhea and constipation are common. Specific foods can't completely resolve these issues, but knowing which foods and drinks to choose during these episodes can be helpful.

Getting plenty of fluids—at least 8 cups a day—and sipping hot tea or warm lemon water can help relieve constipation. If you're constipated, add high-fiber foods, like dried fruits, whole grain cereals, and beans to your diet. People with certain types of cancer shouldn't eat too much fiber, so speak with your healthcare provider before making any dietary changes.

Certain foods can make diarrhea worse. If you're experiencing a bout of diarrhea, skip fiber-rich foods, greasy, or fatty foods—like french fries—hot sauce, foods and drinks with caffeine, and sugary foods and beverages. Sipping your drinks at room temperature can also help. During episodes of diarrhea, your body can lose sodium and potassium. Replenish your levels by munching bananas and potatoes and sipping broth.

Tracking what you eat can help give you an idea of the foods that soothe or worsen your digestive discomfort. It also helps you keep track of how much and what kinds of food you’re eating by using an app or a journal.

It's possible to enjoy mealtime, even during cancer treatment. Your healthcare team will always be your best resource, so reach out with any questions and concerns and for food and drink suggestions.